There is a quote that says, “In order to rise from its own ashes, a phoenix first must burn.”
There is no denying that Wichita Falls band AA Bottom burned hot for decades across the Texoma music scene and became one of the premier names for party rock, under the driving influence of Dean Faulkner and Jason Brown. It was an understandably devastating blow then, when Dean Faulkner suddenly passed away, in January, 2025.
The question of what might happen to AA Bottom lingered on the minds of Texoma music lovers. We had been robbed of one of our beloved local musicians. Would AA Bottom survive?
We asked Jason Brown if there was a moment when he thought AA Bottom might be done.
“Yes,” Brown said. “It was the first time I cried and thought ‘What the fuck am I gonna do?’”
If AA Bottom had ended right there, Texoma music fans would have understood. Dean Faulkner was an integral part of the group, as a vocalist and guitarist, but also as the wisecracking frontman with a magnetic personality. Nobody could replace Dean Faulkner.
There were rumbles, however, that AA Bottom was not done. A local artist, known as the singer for another group, was reportedly under strong consideration. That was Nolan Cannedy, lead vocalist for Man the Machine.
We asked Jason Brown, “What was the turning point? When did you know things were going to be alright?”
He responded simply. “Nolan’s first rehearsal.”
AA Bottom rose from the ashes on July 26th, 2025, with Nolan Cannedy on vocals, and a lineup that seemed, to our judgement, refreshed and invigorated. At a sold out show at the Iron Horse Pub, guitarists Jason Brown and Colby Schwartz traded blazing licks all night, with keyboardist Mike Estep occasionally picking up a six-string of his own to augment the sound. Bassist Buddy Suggs, looking even more svelte and healthy than the last time we saw him, held down the bottom-end, perfectly locked in with The Beast, Kenny Ochoa on drums.
Having seen Cannedy sing with modern rock outfit Man the Machine multiple times, it was an eye-opening experience listening to him handle music from the previous generation. Cannedy’s blues chops are outstanding, and we thought he meshed with the AA Bottom sound in a way we could not have anticipated. Nobody could replace Dean Faulkner, but Cannedy has certainly succeeded him with aplomb.
The setlist included selections from groups like the Allman Brothers, Joe Walsh, The Eagles, Blackberry Smoke, ZZ Top, and AC/DC… the music you would expect from an AA Bottom show. There were moments in the show when Cannedy paused to acknowledge the memory of the departed Faulkner, and the crowd respected the moment, then embraced the renewed energy when the show went on.
Make no mistake, AA Bottom is back.
Were you there? Tell us about it in the comments.
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