The Sedonas bring local flair to nationwide audience
Founded by Farragut native James Wike, the band features a blend of rock music and Americana roots, blending elements of the blues, country and other genres.
The sound is based on the music Wike grew up listening to, as he noted his idolization of stars, such as Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen.
“I got into rap in high school,” he said, “but that rock style really formed the foundation of my musical interest.”
The only twist? Wike and his bandmates are all under the age of 35, so they bring a younger approach to sounds that have appealed to fans for generations.
It has clearly resonated, though, as they have traveled across the country to open for such notable events — including a date on The Who’s final North American tour in 2025.
“I had to break through and get people’s attention by continuing to stay on their radar, just getting them to give us chances,” Wike said, adding he has served as the band’s manager and lead singer. “A lot of it has just come down to them saying they enjoy our music and wanting to hire us out for shows, then building from smaller to bigger.
“I’ve got to be really polite about things but also stay on people’s radars, and that can be a tricky thing to do,” he added. “But I think that’s the key to building a connection with folks in this industry.”
