SIXWIRE
Ever since their debut on Warner Brothers Records, the members of Sixwire have been the busiest, hardest-working band to come out of Nashville! Not only have these guys played on countless hit records, but they’ve written hits for many top artists as well, and toured with literally hundreds of stars. They are the “go-to“ guys for television, as house-band on USA Network’s NASHVILLE STAR, FOX’s NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND, CMT’s NEXT SUPERSTAR, and ABC’s dramatic series “NASHVILLE”. They’ve performed at Super Bowls 51, 54, and 56, The Daytona 500, the NHL All-Star Game, and they were ESPN’s first ever “house band” for the 2019 NFL Draft. And now, the rest of the story…
Guitarist Steve Mandile recruited bassist John Howard and drummer Chuck Tilley to be a part of singer Lee Greenwood's touring band, for which Mandile was band-leader. When Greenwood and band were touring in Florida, they heard keyboardist Steve Hornbeak playing in a Tampa nightclub, and soon recruited him to join Greenwood's entourage. Andy Childs, then an RCA Records solo artist, began regularly opening shows for Greenwood, and they all began to work together in recording, song-writing, and touring with various artists. Sometime later, Mandile, Howard, and Tilley formed an original band called "The Rangers" (a nod to their Texas roots), along with guitarist Robb Houston, who answered a cattle-call audition. However, Mandile was never really comfortable with the position of "frontman". Mandile had been writing songs with Childs, and convinced him to come aboard as lead-singer. At Childs' suggestion, the band was called "The Remnants". With some mentoring from music business veteran Tim Dubois, and management by Gary Borman, the Remnants were soon signed to Warner Brothers Records by Jim Ed Norman. Prior to the album release, the band changed their name to "Sixwire", which is a band-invented slang term for a guitar, and a fitting name to a band fronted by 3 guitarists.
Sixwire's first Warner Brothers release, produced by Mandile, debuted in the top 30, and featured the chart hits LOOK AT ME NOW and WAY TOO DEEP. Touring followed, including appearances with Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, and many others. When Sixwire departed Warner Brothers, some of the members served as the house band on USA Network's NASHVILLE STAR for three seasons. Sixwire was then chosen to be a part of a new show from the producers of AMERICAN IDOL featured on the FOX Network called THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND. The three-month filming schedule required a temporary move to Los Angeles for the quintet, and established a larger nation-wide following than Sixwire's prior exposure from only country radio. With the new-found success, Sixwire returned to Nashville to become the house band for CMT's CAN YOU DUET for two seasons. American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe along with his son Simon then recruited Sixwire to serve as house band on their new show CMT's NEXT SUPERSTAR, with Mandile serving as music director and associate producer. Keyboardist Steve Hornbeak rejoined Sixwire for the television shows, and has remained in the band’s lineup ever since. Original band member Robb Houston became ill, and was no longer able to perform with Sixwire by mid-2016. Diagnosed with ALS, Robb sadly passed away in March of 2020.
A call from ABC and LION'S GATE landed the members of Sixwire in a different role, as the backing band for character 'Rayna Jaymes' played by actress CONNIE BRITTON on ABC's dramatic series 'NASHVILLE'. The series was filmed entirely on location in and around Nashville, and members of Sixwire were seen regularly in scenes with Britton, and also with co-star CHARLES ESTEN, who played the character 'Deacon Claybourne'. Esten befriended the band, and asked Sixwire to join him on tour, which sometimes also featured other cast members. Sixwire remained a part of 'NASHVILLE' throughout it’s six-season run.
Through the years, members of Sixwire have played in the bands for FAITH HILL, ALABAMA, RANDY TRAVIS, RICHARD MARX, DELBERT McCLINTON, PHIL VASSAR, STEVE WARINER, PAM TILLIS, DOLLY PARTON, OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN, VINCE GILL, LEE GREENWOOD, DON FELDER and many others. Sixwire members Childs and Mandile have written songs that have been recorded by TIM McGRAW, BROOKS & DUNN, CHRIS CAGLE, SIR CLIFF RICHARD, LEE GREENWOOD, JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY, GEORGE CANYON, PHIL VASSAR, CAROLYN DAWN JOHNSON, and many more. Collectively, Sixwire members have been seen on television programs that include AMERICAN IDOL, ABC's NASHVILLE, FOX's NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND, USA Network's NASHVILLE STAR, CMT's CAN YOU DUET, CMT's NEXT SUPERSTAR, THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, THE TODAY SHOW, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, THE VIEW, THE GRAMMY AWARDS, CMT's FLAME-WORTHY AWARDS, THE ACM AWARDS, THE CMA AWARDS, and many more. Sixwire has been featured entertainment at the Daytona 500, the Bob Hope Classic, the NHL All-Star Game, Super Bowl 51, and Super Bowl 54. They also serve as the house band for the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam and Academy Of Country Music's "Party For A Cause" featuring the top stars in Country Music.
In 2019, Sixwire served as the first-ever “house band” for the NFL DRAFT on ESPN, which took place in Nashville. Other recent television appearances include the ALL-AMERICAN NEW YEAR’S EVE on FOX, and as musical guest during the US FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIP on NBC and Peacock. Sixwire returned to perform pre-game entertainment at SUPER BOWL 56 in Los Angeles, and will again for SUPER BOWL 57 in Glendale, Arizona.
Charitable entertainment events that Sixwire has been involved in have raised nearly $30 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Sixwire has also helped raise funds for Scott Hamilton’s Cancer Research Foundation, Convoy Of Hope, American Cancer Society, and many others.