C&W band originally fronted by Dave Nicely was arguably the premier country band in the Baltimore/DC area. Known as Mod Country they performed regularly at Freeman’s in Curtis Bay and Stabile’s in Highlandtown. While at Freeman’s they performed double bills with Clay Price and his trio. In 1968 Nicely and Sharon Lee went to Nashville. Clay Price came in as the new lead vocalist and the band was renamed 301 Country. There was a group in Nashville called Area Code 615, so Price decided to use the highway route number 301 as part of the band name.
The original 301 Country included Bobby Godsey (guitar), Calvin Deets (pedal steel), Jay Granger (bass ex-Persuasions), and Bobby Jay (drums). For a time, the main male vocalist was Chuck Canon, and the principle female singer was Carol Avery.
Through the years there were replacements including John Warren (banjo, keyboard –went on to join Loretta Lynn’s band), Preston Jones (bass), Ron Connelly (bass), Pritchard (bass), Bill (drums), Larry Phillips (drums), Johnny Anthony (vocals), Dwight Bedsaul aka ‘Spider Webb’ (guitar), Jim Surber aka ‘Toad’ (bass), Chick Hall (replaced Godsey circa 1979).
They frequently appeared at Club Stabile’s throughout the ‘70s. Also seen at the Stardust, Pumpkin Patch, Bolero, Paradise Club… They performed many NCO clubs, jamborees and benefits with multiple bands.
In August 1974 the group participated in a publicity campaign for the new WPOC radio station by performing on top of the USF&G building in downtown Baltimore. The performance of the song “Turn Your Radio On” was captured on camera by a helicopter and broadcast on television and radio. 301 Country also performed for the grand opening of the new Inner Harbor.
Through the years the group opened for or backed many top country artists including Claude Gray, Ernest Tubb, Leon Ashley, Loretta Lynn, and many others.
Price moved back to North Carolina in 1978. The band was billed as Dave Nicely & 301 Country starting in 1979.
Surber later with Southern Exposure. Hall later with American Heart Band… Phillips later with Dixie Wind…
