The Bootstrap Boys

country music and story songs for the common man.

Hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, The Bootstrap Boys are a four-piece "Northern Country" band that blends the grit of the Rust Belt with the twang of traditional outlaw country. Since forming in 2015, they have become staples of the Great Lakes music scene, known for their Country & Midwestern sound that feels as at home in a dusty dive bar as it does on a festival stage.

Note: in January of 2025, The Bootstrap Boys experienced the extremely tragic loss of their guitarist and founding Member, Nick Alexander.  He’ll remain in their hearts forever. His last recordings will be featured on the upcoming full length release, ‘Some Boots’.

Press Quotes

“Tales of whiskey-drinking, Chevy truck-driving and life on the road become so much more than classic country tropes when paired with The Bootstrap Boys’ personal stories of loss, perseverance and living in a political climate that seems to have abandoned the American people.” Holly Holtzclaw, Local Spins

“The Bootstrap Boys have never sounded better -- or bleaker -- on their recent album Some Boots. The tension between devil-may-care-defiance and existential angst may just be the molten core that keeps country music rotating.” -Rachel Cholst, Rainbow Rodeo Magazine

“The Bootstrap Boys make Country music ripe for scoring a late 70’s car chase and Saturday nights at the bar movies. Films like Smokey and the Bandit or Every Which Way but Loose had Country Rock heavy soundtracks, music reminiscent of what Michigan band The Bootstrap Boys are doing on Hungry and Sober.” - Brian Liggett, The Alternate Root

“Existing in the same world that Waylon inhabited: unfiltered and tangible country rock that has attitude yet keeps your foot tapping.” — Glide Magazine

“The Bootstrap Boys will take you back to Nashville in 1972. Who knew we could have the Deep South this far north?”— Quinn Matthews, WYCE

“This Michigan band conjure an authentic brand of country music, polished and well recorded.”— Music Connection Magazine