June's spotlight is a Southern roots modern country rock band that delivers "high-energy entertainment" and turns Charleston bars, concert venues, and events like weddings, private parties, and corporate fundraisers into all night sing-alongs.
Fronted by singer and guitarist Tanner Beane and backed by Phil Gerard (guitar & vocals), Jamie Dyer (drums), and Hana Donnelly (bass), they play a crowd-pleasing mix of country and rock classics blended with original songs inspired by the rich textures of Lowcountry life and their Carolina heritage.
I'm Tanner Beane, lead singer and songwriter for Tanner Beane & Dirty Power. We're a four-piece Country and Southern Rock band from the Charleston area made up of Phil on lead guitar, Hanna on bass, Jamie on drums, and me on vocals and guitar.β β
I started out playing solo acoustic shows, but over the last few years this thing has grown into something much bigger than me. What we have now feels like a band in the truest sense of the word. Everybody brings their own personality, talent, and influences to the table, but somehow it all fits together.β
We've all played music long enough to know that chemistry isn't something you can force. A band with no chemistry has no chance. What makes this group special is that we're not just musicians playing together. We're friends. We're family. That comes through on stage, in rehearsal, and in the songs we create together.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Country is at the core of everything we do, but there's definitely rock and soul mixed in.β Our original music is emotional and honest. We like songs that make people feel
something. At the same time, we love energy, we love performing live, and we love songs
that make people move.β
β
What inspires you?
First God, second family, and third the love of the game.β β
I honestly feel like music is what I was put here to do. My family shaped who I am, and a lot of my songwriting comes from the experiences I've lived through and the people I care about.β β
The other thing that inspires me is being around people who love music as much as I do. That's one of the reasons I love this band so much. Everybody is here because they genuinely love making music and sharing it with people.
What do you think your music says about who you are?
I think it says that I'm still figuring things out, but I know who I am.β β
A lot of my songs have pain in them. Some of that comes from growing up in a broken home. Some of it comes from my own experiences. Some of it comes from watching people I love go through hard things.β β
Even though I'm generally a pretty happy-go-lucky person, I've always connected with songs
that can reach into your chest a little bit. I think that's why so much of my writing comes
from that place. No matter where the music wanders stylistically, it always seems to find its
way back to something honest.
What do you hope people feel or think when they hear your music?
I hope people feel understood.β β
I hope they hear a song and think, 'I've been there.' Or maybe they've never experienced exactly what the song is about, but something in it still connects with them emotionally.β β
Some of my favorite songs are the ones that can make your heart hurt a little bit. I love music that creates empathy and helps people feel connected to something bigger than themselves.
Has someoneβs reaction to your music ever surprised you?
One that will stay with me forever was when I played a song I wrote about my grandfather after he passed away.β β
The first time I played it for my grandmother, she got emotional. She's not someone who normally wears her emotions on her sleeve, so seeing that reaction meant a lot to me.β β
That moment showed me that songs can reach people in ways that regular conversations
sometimes can't.
How does living here influence your work, if it does?
A lot more than people probably realize.β β
I was born and raised in the Summerville and Knightsville area, and Charleston has always been home. One of my earliest musical heroes was Darius Rucker. Seeing somebody from here build the career he built definitely made an impression on me.β β
The Lowcountry has a sound and personality all its own. While my influences come from a lot of different places, Charleston will always be part of who I am and part of the music I make.
What are your favorite Charleston music venues to play -- or watch shows at?
Playing The Windjammer was a huge moment for us.β β
To stand on a stage where so many incredible artists have performed was something I'll never forget. Walking out there with this band and seeing that crowd felt like one of those moments where you stop and realize you're living something you dreamed about.β β
I also love playing Montreux Bar & Grill in Summerville. There's something special about being only a few feet from the crowd and feeling their energy directly.β β
As for dream venues, I'd love to play the Windjammer outdoor stage one day. Growing up
here, the Coliseum is another one. If I ever got the chance to play in front of a hometown
crowd there, I'd feel pretty blessed.
Who are some artists, bands, or songwriters that have influenced your sound?
Darius Rucker was one of the first artists that really grabbed me.β β
Vince Gill has been a huge influence because of his songwriting, musicianship, and voice. Gary LeVox from Rascal Flatts is another one. I honestly think he's one of the greatest vocalists country music has ever produced.β β
Beyond that, I pull inspiration from country, Southern rock, soul, and artists who aren't afraid to be emotionally honest in their music.
Where do the songs you write usually begin, with an image, a feeling, a question?
Usually a feeling.β β
For me, songwriting usually hits like a freight train. Sometimes a melody shows up. Sometimes a lyric. Sometimes both at the same time. It's almost like somebody turns on a faucet and all I'm trying to do is catch as much of it as I can before it disappears.β β
What's funny is that I don't always know what the song is about while I'm writing it. Sometimes I get all the way to the end and then realize what my heart was trying to say the whole time.β β
That's one reason I love writing with this band. I tend to write from the emotional side of
things, and the rest of the group helps bring the story into focus. Everybody contributes
something different, and the songs are better because of it.
What kind of song would you like to write next, or are you working on anything new now?
I'd love to write something that pulls on your heartstrings while still making you want to bob your head.β β
That's probably the sweet spot for me as a songwriter. I love emotional songs, but I also love Southern rock energy.β β
We're actively writing new music right now, and I think the songs we're working on are doing a better job than ever of blending those two worlds together.
Anything else you'd like people to know?
More than anything, I'm grateful.β β
I've met a lot of talented musicians and played with a lot of good people over the years, but what we have right now feels different. Everybody in this band brings something unique, and I honestly believe they're some of the best musicians in the Charleston area. More importantly, they're some of the best people.β β
Music isn't supposed to be a job. It's supposed to be something you love.β β
I could go play music for five people and still have a great night because I genuinely love doing it. I think everybody in this band feels that same way. We're here because we love the music, we love the people we get to share it with, and we love the journey we're on together.β β
For me, that's what Tanner Beane & Dirty Power is all about.
