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Colton and Zach Swon talk to the full-house crowd at the Muskogee “Swoncert.” Photos by Hayley Leatherwood


Their unique harmonies are blended so smoothly, it’s often hard to decipher who is sing- ing high and who is singing low. After the na- tional exposure their combined sound has received, their career as a duo is hitting a high. Millions of viewers bonded with the brothers throughout the show, watching them perform on “The Voice” and back at home through Shelton’s “Healing in the Heartland” concert, following the devastation brought by Oklahoma’s May torna- does. Being in their home state amidst the after- math was a moving experience for the brothers. “Seeing the damage up close we knew we were


playing for everyone who lost their homes and their loved ones’ lives,” Zach said. “It was an honor. The state needed it.”


The Swon Brothers have deep ties to Oklahoma GET SWONNECTED


“It’s not about the fame for us—it’s about connecting with people,” Colton Swon said.


Zach and Colton admit staying up until the wee hours of the morning replying to fans on social media, and the broth- ers say they absolutely love getting to know their followers.


During the show, the singing duo tweet- ed, “Super blessed to receive all the support y’all have shown. Win or lose our goal is to meet you in person some- day on the road! God is good!”


Find @TheSwonBrothers on Facebook and Twitter to make your swonnection.


and have shown they will maintain the connec- tion to the state as they blossom into being stars. Most recently, the pair held a special concert, or “Swoncert” as they say, at their old stomping grounds in Muskogee.


Greg Buckley has been the city manager of Muskogee for the past fi ve years. June’s “Swoncert” was the fi rst time he has seen the Muskogee Civic Center completely full.


“It’s fantastic for me to see the potential to be able to draw that many people to support the Swon Brothers,” Buckley said. “We actually had one couple drive from California to get in line at eight in the morning to see them perform.” During the concert, Muskogee Mayor Bob Coburn gave the pair a key to the city, paying homage to their performance of Merle Haggard’s “Okie from Muskogee” declaring the Swons “Certifi ed Okies from Muskogee.” “We’ve done this our whole lives, playing in Muskogee in particular,” Zach spoke of his home- town fondly. “The fact that they’re behind us so much and that they can bring some people out and support us, that means the absolute world to us.”


“We could not ask for a better support system than what we have,” Colton said.


Turning the Page As one of the fi rst settlements in Oklahoma prior to statehood, Muskogee has a rich history, especially in music diversity. Ronald Boren, cura- tor for the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame (OMHF), said Zach and Colton are going to be a part of this history one of these days. The brothers were given the “Rising Star Award” from the OMHF, which is awarded an- nually to an individual or group who has attained signifi cant national notice for musical talent. “Everybody loves music,” Boren said. “But when you start living it, it’s a different story. I can tell you these two are just as genuine as you saw on ‘The Voice.’”


Not only did the brothers work with Boren at OMHF, but they have played with him off and


18 WWW.OK-LIVING.COOP WWW.OK-LIVING.COOP


18


on since 2001. Boren has been a percussionist for the majority of his life, and late one evening Boren got the call to fi ll in for the brothers’ drum- mer. He didn’t miss a beat in saying yes. “When I joined the band, I basically joined the family,” Boren said with heartfelt remembrance. According to Boren, the entire Swon family is generosity personifi ed. Boren reminisced about the brothers creating him a Facebook a page and calling to check on him during Thanksgiving and Christmas after his mother passed away. “They’ve been so good to me,” Boren said. “I know for a fact they forfeited their pay on many gigs so their band could get paid. They are always caring about someone else.”


During “The Voice,” the brothers dedicated their performance of Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page” to all of those who have played with them through the years. According to them, every one who has stepped on stage with the duo is an honorary “Swon Brother.”


“They’re just incredible,” Boren said. “They are excellent singers and musicians, but they’re also incredible writers and producers. You have to keep your head in the game when playing with them.”


Boren remarked he couldn’t help but think of the Swon Brothers’ futures when he watched them perform George Jones’ “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes,” a song that honors past country music stars.


“Country music duos through the history of Nashville have been few and far between,” Boren said. “They can fi ll those shoes and be the next to hit the stratosphere.”


“A lot of people say being on a show is overnight success. My dad said it best—‘If this was overnight it sure has been a really long night.’” - Zach Swon


If viewing our digital edition, click here to view a bonus page featuring extra videos, music and photos of the Swon Brothers. Access our digital edition at www.ok-living.coop or fi nd our FREE app at the Apple Newsstand, Google Play or Amazon.


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