Local folk-rock group Sons of Habit will headline a free benefit concert on June 20 at O’Bryan’s Bar and Grill to support McLean County flood relief efforts, just weeks before joining country stars Scotty McCreery and Dustin Lynch on a six-state arena tour.
The benefit show, organized in partnership with the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, will begin at 5 p.m. and feature five acts on the main stage followed by an acoustic after-party. All proceeds will go toward flood relief.
Mitchell Douglas, lead vocalist and guitarist for Sons of Habit, said the idea came after band members visited areas affected by recent flooding.
“The Chamber reached out, and we wanted to see it for ourselves,” Douglas said. “Jalen Daugherty took us around, and we just couldn’t believe the damage. Seeing it in person really changed things. We wanted to do more than just raise money — we wanted to give people something to look forward to.”
The event will take place in the backyard and gravel lot of O’Bryan’s, which sits on the Daviess-McLean County line. Douglas said organizers are making room for 500 attendees by setting up a full stage, sound system, and lighting outside.
“We’re treating it like a festival,” Douglas said. “We’ve already raised over $12,000 in sponsorships, and we’re aiming for $50,000.”
The band’s newest member, guitarist and banjo player Noah Patrick, is a McLean County native and graduate of McLean County High School. Patrick said the cause hits close to home.
“It was so surreal to me — the water was so high we saw people wading through it just to get to their homes,” Patrick said. “It made me want to help however we could.”
Bassist and multi-instrumentalist Hagan Edge added, “Playing back at home means the world to us. It’s even better that it’s for such a good cause. I’m excited to see how much we’re able to raise.”
The benefit concert comes on the heels of the band’s biggest announcement yet: Sons of Habit will open for McCreery and Lynch during the “Two for the Road Tour,” with dates in six states, including stops in Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
Douglas said the group is thrilled to join the tour and expects to announce more details soon.
Formed in May 2024, Sons of Habit blends folk, rock, and blues into an original sound that has quickly built a loyal following. Their debut single “Madeline” helped catapult them into venues like The Burl in Lexington and an upcoming appearance at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
The band includes Douglas, Edge, Dalton Daniels (lead guitar), Jeffrey Parish (drums), and Patrick.
More information about the June 20 benefit concert, including the full lineup and official flyer, will be released in the coming days. The event is free to attend, but donations are encouraged to support the relief fund.
To follow the band’s journey and get updates, visit @sonsofhabit on Instagram.
