ENJOY LIVE MUSIC, LINE DANCING, AND MORE THIS MAY AT STONEY’S NORTH FORTY
WHAT: Stoney’s North Forty inside Santa Fe Station is where country lives in the northwest! Hop on the mechanical bull or take a spin on the dance floor below the mirrored armadillo. Stoney’s has you covered with Happy Hour from 6 – 7 p.m. and free two step and line dance lessons Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Visit https://stoneysnorthforty.com/dance-lesson/ for times and details.
WHERE: Stoney’s North Forty inside Santa Fe Station
4949 N. Rancho Drive
WHEN: Fri., May 2 Ryan & Rory
Wed., May 7 Bikini Bull Riding Ladies Night with Crown Royal Whisky, Casamigos Tequila, & DJ Jeffro
Sat., May 10 Clay Hollis
Thurs., May 15 “90 Proof” 90s Country Night featuring DJ Jeffro
ABOUT RYAN & RORY
It took just one phone call for Ryan Keith Follesé and Rory John Zak to decide they were meant to be musical partners. The music Ryan & Rory have been creating since then proves that their first impressions were spot on. Ryan’s proficient songwriting and powerhouse voice fit hand in glove with Rory’s incredible musicianship and vocals that blend yet command attention. Rory also possesses the rare ability of “perfect pitch”, the ability to identify a musical note without any reference. But let’s back up. That phone call may have been the start of Ryan & Rory, but the pair separately put years of hustle and dedication into their careers before coming together.
Ryan is the son of country songwriters Adrienne and Keith Follesé. Keith co-wrote Tim McGraw’s double-platinum #1 single “Something Like That,” Faith Hill’s crossover hit “The Way You Love Me,” and Lonestar’s chart-topper “Smile.” Together, the couple co-wrote Martina McBride’s 1999 hit “I Love You,” a five-week #1.
“When I was growing up, I wanted to write my way out of their shadow,” says Ryan, who tried to do that as frontman of the Nashville-based pop-rock band Hot Chelle Rae. The group signed to RCA Records, scored a #1 song (2011’s “Tonight, Tonight”), won an American Music Award, and toured the world — but when they broke up, Ryan faced a crossroads. He could become a full-time songwriter for others, or he could take those songwriting skills and his proven voice and lean into what he grew up knowing best: country music.
Rory, meanwhile, has been playing piano since he was a toddler growing up in Raleigh, N.C. By 17, though, he reached his own dilemma: As plans for college were starting to take shape, the Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach invited him to be their youngest-ever full-time lead singer. Since 2017, Rory has played more than 300 shows each year. He spent four years performing with the Carolina Opry six nights a week and has continued at that pace since striking out on his own in 2021.
Now both living in Nashville, Ryan & Rory have finished their first EP, slated for release this spring. The process of writing, recording, and rehearsing has shown them that their individual strengths create something together that neither could have created individually.
Ryan co-wrote each of the EP’s six songs — three with his family — and Rory elevated their arrangements and performance. Track by track, their vocal harmonies shine as they narrate comfort cocktails that sound remarkably like both classic and modern country. “Pour Decisions” is the perfect companion for a post-breakup night out, a nod to the universal heartache band-aid that is a good old-fashioned night of drinking. “Drunk and Lonely” also celebrates healing the heartache, but as a two-step singalong featuring dirt-floor dancehall vibes and Rory’s honky-tonk piano that would make Brooks & Dunn proud. “It’s got this time change at the end — something that doesn’t happen often in a country song,” says Rory. “But it wouldn’t turn being ‘drunk and lonely’ into a whole lot of fun without it.” Adds Ryan, “I wanted to write something I thought Ronnie Dunn would love.” Then there’s Ryan’s most personal composition on the EP, which he co-wrote with his dad and brother as a surprise for his mom. Her advice narrates the track: “Don’t brag when your team is winnin’ / Never politic at Thanksgivin’ / Yes sir, yes ma’am, it’s a given / Put your sunscreen on, or you’ll fry like chicken.” On first listen, it instantly made her cry — high praise from a fellow songwriter.
Another highlight of the EP, “This Town,” is a celebration of small-town dreams and the freedom that comes when you go after them with your partner riding shotgun and “get way on out where the lost get found / The two of us breaking brand-new ground.” It could also be a mission statement for Ryan & Rory, who years ago took separate leaps of faith to pursue their dreams and now find themselves confidently riding that faith in each other.
ABOUT BIKINI BULL RIDING LADIES’ NIGHT
On the first Wednesday of every month, Bikini Bull Riding Ladies Night features $3 drinks for ladies. All bull riding participants receive a free bikini from Stoney’s North Forty, and ladies can compete for $1,000 in cash prizes.
ABOUT CLAY HOLLIS
Clay Hollis is a Texas-native, born in the Rio Grande Valley and raised in San Antonio. Growing up in Texas, Clay began pursuing music at a young age. At just seventeen, Hollis hit the road, selling merchandise for Jon Wolfe. While on tour with the Texas-country star, Clay discovered a career in music, and touring was his passion. He soon left Wolfe’s team to begin his own journey.
In 2017, Clay Hollis released his self-titled debut EP. With help from Nashville hit writers, like Bart Butler and Jon Pardi, Clay found radio success with four top ten singles: Look Who’s Hurting Now, Hard Headed Heart, Can’t Let a Good Thing Get Away, and Strait to Jones. With a few radio singles and an old guitar, Hollis hit the road to play honky-tonks across Texas.
In 2020, Clay released Honkytonk Highway, a strong 6-track EP that highlights his rich vocals and appreciation for honky-tonk driven guitars. At 21-minutes in length, Hollis covers a lot of territory. The EP includes slow burners like “Ask Me Again” to upbeat tracks like “Here I Go Again.” Inspired by ‘90s country foundations, with a modern country sound.
His newest effort, No Apologies, is Clay’s first full-length album. The 11-song collection, eight of which co-written by Hollis, centers around Clay’s personal life story, with each track giving you a glimpse into who Clay Hollis is.
Over the years, Hollis has been captivating fans playing alongside country music mainstays, Randall King, Kevin Fowler and many more.
ABOUT “90 PROOF” 90s COUNTRY NIGHT
On the third Thursday of every month, Stoney’s North Forty takes a two-step back in time and relives the golden age of country music with 90s Country Throwback Night. With legends like Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, George Strait, and Joe Diffie, DJ Jeffro will keep the party going with everyone’s favorite 90s country classics and most popular line dance songs all night long.
ABOUT STONEY’S NORTH FORTY
From the creators of the award-winning, world famous Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, Stoney’s North Forty is a premiere destination for locals and tourists 21 and over who are looking for a boot stomping good ole time with line dancing, mechanical bull riding, beer pong, pool tables, and more. Located inside Santa Fe Station, and open Tuesday through Saturday, Stoney’s North Forty offers special promotions including Ladies Night on Wednesdays where ladies can enjoy $3 wine, well cocktails, and draft beer, Happy Hour from 6 – 7 p.m., and live music from a variety of artists. Doors open at 6 p.m. and there are free line-dancing lessons Tuesdays through Saturdays. Every Thursday, all active and retired military, teachers, nurses, and first responders with valid ID receive their first well drink, wine, or Miller High Life draft beer free, and every Friday, enjoy a Reverse Happy Hour from 11 p.m. – 1 a.m. Buy any shot and receive a complimentary Miller High Life draft beer. For more information, visit stoneysnorthforty.com or follow on Facebook @stoneysnf and Instagram @stoneysnorthforty.
ABOUT SANTA FE STATION
Santa Fe Station is a top entertainment destination in northwest Las Vegas with a 60-lane bowling center, 16-screen multiplex movie theater, premier state-of-the-art sportsbook, and more than 2,000 slot and video poker machines. The property also boasts more than 14,000 square feet of meeting space and 200 hotel rooms and offers guests a variety of dining choices. Santa Fe is in the midst of a property refresh with the arrival of Stoney’s North Forty, Stallone’s Italian Eatery, Nielsen’s Frozen Custard, and an all-new Poker room. The property will add a new High Limit Room this fall. For more information, visit www.santafestation.com or follow us on social media @santafestationlv.