BY MELISSA RUGGIERI/AJC Music Scene

HOUSTON -  Hours before Super Bowl kickoff, the Fan Plaza surrounding NRG Stadium was buzzing with music.

On one stage, Nashville country-rock band Sixwire, known for their gig as Rayna James’ (Connie Britton) band on “Nashville” as well as the backing band for HLN’s Robin Meade at her live shows, kicked into high gear.

After their performance, the band’s drummer, Chuck Tilley, said he’s cheering for an Atlanta Falcons win because of his allegiance to his alma mater, the University of Alabama, and its famous wide receiver, Julio Jones.

“Julio is my hero,” he said. “I’ve been a fan of his since he was a freshman. I really want this win for him."

RELATED: Donnie Wahlberg, Jenny McCarthy talk Patriots, Super Bowl and Howard Stern

About the Author

Keep Reading

"The Wet Feet Choir" by Teake Zuidema, photographed in Sheldon, South Carolina. An exhibition of his work will be on view through Oct. 18 at ARTS Southeast in Savannah. (Courtesy of Teake Zuidema 2024)

Credit: Teake Zuidema

Featured

Protesters stage a rally near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. The people were protesting against the detention of South Korean workers after an immigration raid in Georgia, and many of the signs read "A tariff bomb and workers confinement." (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

Credit: AP