Jackson Taylor and The Sinners Bring Outlaw Country to The Den in Sioux Falls
With support by Kimberly Meyer and Danny Grause in Sioux Falls, South Dakota • July 31, 2026
July 31, 2026 marked a first for me as a concert photographer and writer. For the first time, I attempted to cover two different shows in one evening. Just before heading to The Den, I had been photographing a performance at The Levitt, which meant my night was already well underway before the first note of this concert had even been played.
After surviving this experiment, I can confidently say it probably will not become a regular occurrence. Trying to photograph one show, rush across town, and then mentally reset for another is exhausting. By the time the headliner took the stage at The Den, I could definitely feel the effects of a very long day. Thankfully, the artists themselves more than made up for my fatigue, delivering performances that deserved every bit of attention they received.
Meeting Kimberly Meyer Before the Show
One of the biggest advantages of arriving early at these smaller venues is getting to spend a few minutes talking with artists before they perform. I was fortunate enough to chat with Kimberly Meyer before she walked on stage.
Ironically, because I was running on fumes, I asked a question that I normally avoid.
I asked when she started making music.
Usually I stay away from questions like that because a quick internet search can often answer them. Her response, however, reminded me why interviews are so valuable.
Kimberly admitted she doesn’t particularly enjoy that question because music has simply always been part of her life. Like many musicians, she grew up surrounded by it. While she intentionally began writing songs in 2020 and later moved into producing, putting a definitive starting point on a lifelong relationship with music doesn’t really tell the whole story.
Her answer stuck with me because it reflects something true about so many artists. Music isn’t usually something they discover overnight. It’s woven into childhood memories, family gatherings, church services, road trips, and countless everyday moments before it ever becomes a career.
We also talked about songwriting inspiration. Kimberly explained that every song begins differently. Sometimes it’s born from an incredibly vivid dream. Other times it’s a passing conversation that plants a single idea and slowly grows into something much larger. There isn’t a formula, only a willingness to pay attention to life’s moments.
Before wrapping up our conversation, she encouraged me to keep an ear out for “Black Perfume,” a song she felt represented her work particularly well.
A Powerful Opening Performance
When Kimberly finally started, it didn’t take long for people’s attention to move toward the stage.
Her voice immediately became the centerpiece of the performance. Without a full band behind her, every lyric stood out a little more than usual. Two acoustic guitars intertwined with a fiddle, creating a rich yet understated sound that allowed the storytelling to shine.
Some of the evening’s strongest moments came during songs like, as she predicted, “Black Perfume” and “Dark Side of the Room.” Rather than shying away from difficult subjects, Kimberly openly invited the audience into some of the darker chapters of her life. Those songs carried an honesty that made them easy to connect with, even if listeners hadn’t lived those exact experiences themselves.
Fortunately, the mood didn’t stay heavy all night.
She shifted into more upbeat material while taking time to recognize members of the military in attendance. Drawing from her own fifteen plus years serving in the South Dakota Army National Guard, she dedicated a song to active service members, veterans, and the families who serve alongside them. It was a genuine moment that felt especially meaningful coming from someone who understands military life firsthand.
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Finding Therapy on Two-Lane Roads
Kimberly concluded her performance with “Two-Lane Therapy” from her newest EP.
Before performing it, she explained how driving back roads serves as a place of peace and reflection. Sometimes the best way to process life’s challenges is simply getting behind the wheel and letting the miles create space to think.
That sentiment resonated throughout this room of Midwest attendees.
For someone who admittedly doesn’t spend much time listening to country music, Kimberly Meyer was a refreshing introduction. The stripped down instrumentation highlighted her vocals, while her honest songwriting created an intimate atmosphere that proved you don’t need elaborate production to captivate an audience.
Danny Grause Brings Guitar Firepower
Next up was Iowa native Danny Grause.
Although Iowa sits just across the border from South Dakota, Danny joked that this was actually his first time performing in Sioux Falls. His bassist, however, was much more familiar with the area, adding a little hometown connection to the evening.
Like Kimberly’s set, Danny’s band kept things relatively simple. With only electric guitar, bass, and drums, there wasn’t much room to hide.
Fortunately, they didn’t need it.
Danny quickly established himself as an exceptional guitarist. Nearly every song featured extended solos that showcased his technical ability. At times it bordered on being almost too much guitar, but he always managed to pull it back before crossing that line.
Equally impressive was the rhythm section.
Rather than relying solely on traditional country grooves, the bassist incorporated a noticeable funk influence that gave many songs a fresh feel. It added personality to the arrangements and helped distinguish Danny’s music from more conventional country acts.
Humor Between the Songs
Like Kimberly, Danny also took time to honor military veterans with a song dedication, another meaningful moment considering his own military background.
He also delivered one of the funniest moments of the evening.
Anyone who has attended a show at The Den knows that while the stage faces a large open floor, many audience members naturally gravitate toward the tables positioned off to the side. Danny couldn’t help but notice.
While introducing one of his songs, he joked that maybe the band should simply rotate ninety degrees so they’d actually be facing most of the crowd.
It was a small observation, but one that had plenty of people laughing because it was completely accurate.
Strong Musicianship, Different Themes
Lyrically, Danny’s songs centered largely around his own life experiences, something that fits comfortably within country music traditions.
Some songs leaned toward more personal relationships, while others ventured into more playful territory, including one centered around skinny dipping.
Those themes didn’t necessarily resonate with me personally, but that’s the beauty of music. Not every lyric has to speak directly to every listener.
What remained undeniable was the musicianship.
Between Danny’s guitar work, the groove established by the rhythm section, and the band’s chemistry, there was plenty to appreciate regardless of whether every song connected on a personal level.
Jackson Taylor and The Sinners Finally Arrive
Then came the reason many people had packed into The Den.
Jackson Taylor and The Sinners.
Unfortunately for me, this is where my ambitious scheduling finally caught up.
Their set didn’t begin until approximately 11:10 p.m., and after covering The Levitt, photographing two opening acts, and knowing I still had hundreds of photos waiting to be sorted and uploaded afterward, I simply couldn’t stay for the full performance.
Wanting More
What I did hear left me wanting considerably more.
The Oklahoma based group fully embraced the outlaw country aesthetic. Tattoos, cowboy hats, road worn confidence, and a harmonica player who looked like he’d stepped straight out of another era all combined to create an authentic image before they even played a note.
Once the music started, they backed up that appearance with equally strong performances.
The band sounded tight, energetic, and experienced. It instantly became obvious why so many people had waited all evening to see them.
Sometimes the biggest compliment you can give a band is saying you wish you’d had more time with them.
That’s exactly how I felt walking away.
Hopefully Jackson Taylor and The Sinners make another stop in Sioux Falls soon because I’d love the opportunity to experience an entire show from start to finish.
Afterglow
Despite being one of the longest workdays I’ve had in quite some time, the evening served as another reminder of why I enjoy covering live music.
From Kimberly Meyer’s heartfelt storytelling to Danny Grause’s impressive musicianship and the outlaw energy of Jackson Taylor and The Sinners, every artist brought something different to the stage.
The Den deserves credit as well.
Just a few weeks earlier I had been inside the same venue photographing a metal show, and now I was surrounded by country fans enjoying an entirely different atmosphere. That willingness to embrace multiple genres makes The Den one of the more enjoyable local venues to cover because you never quite know what style of music you’ll experience next.
If you’ve never attended a show there, I highly recommend checking out their upcoming calendar. Whether your tastes lean toward metal, country, rock, EDM, or something completely different, chances are you’ll eventually find a night that feels tailor made for you.
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