TheBuzz

From the name Callon B came the collective name of Callon B and the Hive. It was more than just clever branding. The group has adopted many of the aspects of bee life including the hive mind. “It seemed like it was meant to be,” says Callon. “We hope to operate with one another and within the community the same way a hive operates—with a sense of unity and dependability. We have each other’s backs, and we are working together toward the same goals.”

Mix in Megan Masterson on vocals, Cody Waggoner on guitar, Shawn Wilson on bass, Israel Abernathy on drums, and turntablist Dallas Williams, and you have a well-rounded group that impresses on the listener a ever worked with, and the audience needs to have the opportunity to see what each of them can do.”

“We don’t play songs the same way every time they are performed,” adds Ian. “Everything evolves as we grow together and grow into the music. And the feeling we have working together like that truly is a hive mind.”

Listeners are invited to get on board, going on a ride with Callon B and the Hive at the helm of the ship.

“You’d probably get many different answers if you asked people what their favorite Callon B and the Hive song is,” says Callon. “That’s what I like to do—versatility. We have something for everyone.”

RedVelvet loves that the diversity within the music brings diversity in the audience. “I remember the first time I experienced that at one of my shows,” she says. “I looked out and saw black people and white people and Asians and Indians, and we were are all brought together by the music. That is cool.”

And the songs contain a positive, impactful message. “I try to keep it positive and respectful for everybody,” Callon adds. “I want our audience, no matter who they are, to be able to enjoy it.” single body of work that beautifully and seamlessly shifts between a myriad of sounds.

“There is rap, there is soul,” says Callon. “Ian brings the love of jazz, and there are elements of rock, and there is pop. We all have things that we enjoy that are different, and I wanted to bring all of that together. That’s where rap started to begin with. It was sampling records of different genres to create loops to rap over. It is sometimes controlled chaos, but we are working toward one thing. Kind of like a beehive. And everybody has the freedom to shine. No one is playing the sidelines here. It is more of a jam band kind of thing. These are the most talented people I’ve

That scene played out perfectly at a recent show at Paducah Beer Werks. A diverse crowd stood in rapt attention in front of the stage. At times, there was dancing. At other times, a stilled awe. At times, Callon’s mastery of rap commands the stage, creating a compelling presence. As Callon’s role in a song ebbs, the voices of RedVelvet and Megan flow in, stirring the soul. Cody, Shawn, and Israel weave a tapestry of sound that swirls about the vocals. Their interplay with one another is mixed together by Ian who, during a show, is much like a mad-scientist conductor, completely immersed in the emotion of the creative moment. Callon B and the Hive holds the attention of the smiling crowd as they await what might come next.

“Our end goal is much like a hive of bees. They buzz and share their song. It’s called the song of increase. And they share that with neighboring hives. Metaphorically, we are doing the same thing. We are buzzing our songs and passing them along to communities and people with whom they resonate, spreading that message of what it is like to work together as a hive.”