John O’Rourke
If it wasn’t for a karaoke contest at Quail Creek, Dan O’Rourke and his band The Woods might not be opening for Tim McGraw this month.
You see, Dan was staying with his parents during the Summer of 2015 when they encouraged him to compete in a karaoke contest held that summer. Somewhat reluctantly, he participated and came in first place. Several QC residents approached him after his performance in the Crystal Ballroom at the Madera Clubhouse and suggested that he compete in “one of those TV shows.”
Next, Dan was off to Hollywood where he competed in season 10 of NBC’s The Voice. After a month with other talented musicians on the show, he thought he would move to Nashville, as a number of people had suggested. Nashville, aka Music City USA, is where musicians either refine their craft or go home.
Over the past few years, Dan has definitely been refining his craft. In 2021, he won first place in the International Songwriting Competition’s category for singer/songwriters. The competition had more than 47,000 entrants that year.
During the height of the COVID pandemic, Dan helped create the band The Woods, which Billboard magazine said sings with “triple fierce harmonies and a loose, acoustically driven country/rock groove.” Their three-part harmonies often remind listeners of Crosby, Stills & Nash, or the Eagles.
Dan is the lead vocalist of the trio and is joined by guitar virtuoso Leland Rooney and Canadian award-winning singer Raquel Cole. Rooney’s guitar solos often wow listeners during live performances.
In 2023 The Woods caught the attention of some major executives in the Nashville music scene. As a result, the band will be the opening performers for Tim McGraw’s “Standing Room Only Tour ‘24” from March 14 through March 23.
The Woods have enjoyed performing at Quail Creek in the past and have always been enthusiastically received by residents. They will be back on April 2 in the Madera Clubhouse ballroom. They will have just finished touring with Tim McGraw.
And to think, it all began with a Quail Creek karaoke contest. Learn more about the band at GetIntoTheWoods.com.