“Look out world ‘cause we’re ridin’ out,” sings SOUTH 70 in their high-powered song This Is How We Roll. And this is how they roll...

SOUTH 70 was born out of a relentless passion for songwriting and entertaining fans. Simone Simonton, drummer and songwriter, moved to Atlanta from Southern Illinois to pursue that passion. Simone quickly planted her feet in the Atlanta music scene as a dynamic recording and touring drummer, while also diligently working to hone her songwriting skills. She realized that she felt most at home when writing country songs, which made sense based on where and how she grew up - a family sawmill, corn fields, dirt roads and pick up trucks. In 2002, she joined fellow Atlantans to form Sugarland, co-writing the songs Baby Girl and Down In Mississippi, among others. With this experience and inspiration in pocket, she began visualizing her own band, and set out to attract a courageous group of people who wanted to create and play music together for a very long time, in a very big way.

Simone collaborated with various songwriters until finding the perfect match with singer and songwriter Geoff Reid, and the foundation for a rockin’ Georgia country band was formed. Geoff’s insatiable passion for entertaining audiences, coupled with his distinct voice and honest delivery, sowed the seeds for an unmatched, rock solid partnership. Armed with an arsenal of SOUTH 70 songs, intentionally written from male and female perspectives, Simone and Geoff set out to find a fiery woman to share the role of lead vocalist.  

They hit the jackpot with Kylie Bengo.  Kylie was born in Wyoming and lived in Texas and Oklahoma until her family settled in Georgia. Her western roots and southern charm fused to create a maverick allure with just enough vulnerability to deliver SOUTH 70’s sentiment and edge. Through the connection of Kylie and Geoff’s voices, the true intention of the vision for a country band with two lead vocalists was realized.

 SOUTH 70’s bassist and backing vocalist, James Cromer, moved from South Carolina to Atlanta to join the band in 2007. His broadness of talent and exuberance for life, family and music go hand in hand with SOUTH 70’s consistent commitment to excellence and optimism. Lead guitarist, James “JD” Davis, may appear gentle with wisdom beyond his years, but that depth amplifies his on stage passion, delivering the combination of sweetness and grit through a full-throttled performance.

 Anyone who has seen SOUTH 70 perform know they set the stage and their songs ablaze with an undeniable chemistry and fervent energy. “We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to meet and entertain the folks who make it possible for us to do what we love. Appreciating family and remembering where we come from and the people who taught us along the way is as important to us as putting on an amazing show”. And with smiles and a collective swagger, SOUTH 70 takes the stage to proudly proclaim, “We’re gonna let ‘em know that this is how we roll”.