Cody Ikerd and The Sidewinders

The feeling I got from performing on a drum set in front of a few people at my middle school festival sent me on a journey I would’ve never expected. I’ve been hooked on music ever since. Growing up in Bedford, IN, I played drums in a few different bands (alt. rock, pop punk, blues, etc.) from ages 14 to 25. I’d always picked around on the acoustic guitar but really didn’t start singing until I was 24. I started to fall in love with classic country artists like Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and many others while learning how to sing and play. Back in 2016, my Dad and I decided to put a band together with him helping us book shows and do some managing. Inspired by the country and rock music of the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, the band and I started performing as many shows as we could while holding down day jobs. I kept writing, learning, and we ended up releasing two EP’s in 2017 (Honest Man) and 2019 (You Can Find Me In A Honkytonk). The band and I released our first album in May of 2023 with the help of some friends.

A lifelong passion has taken me from a flatbed trailer at my middle school in 7th grade to performing on the same stages with The Kentucky Headhunters, Jo Dee Messina, Ward Davis, Sarah Evans, The Steel Woods, Mo Pitney, Larry Gatlin, Drake White, and many more. I can’t thank everyone enough for the support over the years and we’ll strive to get better for you.

Come to a show sometime and let’s get rowdy.

– Cody