RAPID CITY, S.D. – Few bands have built a relationship with the Black Hills quite like Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts. Whether they’re rocking downtown Rapid City during Summer Nights or turning up the volume during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the Colorado-based band has become a familiar and welcome presence for local music fans.

For frontman Ryan Chrys, the connection goes far beyond another stop on the tour calendar.

“Man, as anyone who’s been there knows, the Black Hills are something special and unique,” Chrys said. “There’s no other place in the world I’ve been to like it. Enchanting, mystical, powerful, beautiful, raw and dangerous. It’s magnetic and spiritual. I love to absorb the energy.”

That connection has only grown stronger over the years.

“We’ve met some incredible people that we are now dear friends and family,” he said. “And they all know how to party.”

That relationship with the Black Hills is one reason fans continue to pack the streets whenever Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts return for Summer Nights. Their signature blend of outlaw country, Southern rock and electrifying guitar work has earned them a loyal following throughout western South Dakota.

While the band proudly embraces its “Modern Outlaw Country” label, Chrys says the music is really a product of his biggest influences.

“I think the basis of the majority of our songs is country. Johnny Cash is my biggest singer-songwriter influence,” he said. “But when it comes to guitar playing, my hero has always been Angus Young, so inevitably you get a bit of both influences.”

That combination creates a live show that often surprises first-time listeners. Country fans get soaring guitar solos, while rock fans discover storytelling rooted in classic country traditions.

The band’s reputation for explosive performances isn’t accidental.

“We just love to have fun and rock out,” Chrys said. “As a music fan myself, I love shows where the artists really get into the music. You can feel that energy, and the artist has to feel the music first before they can give it to the audience.”

That philosophy has helped make every Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts performance feel like more than just a concert.

Another key ingredient is drummer Michael Jochum, whose résumé includes touring with Korn and contributing to projects connected to Sesame Street’s iconic drummer, Animal. While his musical background is impressive, Chrys says it’s Jochum’s professionalism that has elevated the entire band.

“Michael’s experience, attitude and demeanor keep us grounded,” Chrys said. “He’s seen and done so much, yet he realizes every show and every moment is vitally important. Every note has to be treated with intention and respect.”

Chrys credits Jochum with raising the expectations for everyone on stage.

“His talent is so great that we all have to show up with our A-game every time,” he said. “He’s truly an inspiration to perform with. He has shaped the music with nuance we never knew existed. He’s our shaman and our master.”

Although Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts are no strangers to both Summer Nights and the Sturgis Rally, Chrys says the two audiences create completely different experiences.

“Summer Nights is more diverse,” he explained. “You’ve got cowboys and cowgirls, blue-collar workers, music fans, tourists and locals all mixed together, so I like to give a little something for everyone.”

The Rally, however, calls for a different approach.

“At the Rally it’s mostly bikers who are surrounded by amazing bands everywhere they go,” Chrys said with a laugh. “So we let off the seatbelts a bit and let things get nice and loose.”

Fans attending this year’s Summer Nights performance will also get a glimpse of what’s next for the band.

Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts are currently preparing to release two new albums, continuing a steady climb that Chrys says wouldn’t be possible without the support they’ve received from Black Hills audiences over the years.

“We keep climbing the mountain one step at a time, and each step is a little higher than the last,” he said. “Hopefully Black Hills fans will notice that growth because they’ve been a part of it from the beginning.”

For Chrys, the appreciation runs much deeper than applause.

“We consider the Black Hills to be a second home and a place dear to our hearts,” he said. “It’s important for us to connect and let everyone there know our gratitude never wavers. We’ll always be there for as long as you want us. We’re part of the Black Hills community by choice, and we stand, and we rock, with all who live there, our friends, our family.”

For longtime fans and first-time listeners alike, Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts promise to bring the same high-energy performance that has made them a Summer Nights favorite for years, along with a preview of the next chapter in a band that proudly considers the Black Hills home.

You can catch Ryan Chrys and the Rough Cuts this Thursday night on the Coca Cola Stage on the corner of 6th and Kansas City Street starting at 6pm for Rapid City Summer Nights.