Climbing the Summit: An Authentic Vintage Rock Band on the Rise


The Summit has been touring alongside legendary bands like ZZ Top since 2017, when the band was personally invited to join the Tonnage tour. For the last eight years, the band has enthralled audiences with their dynamic performances and authentic “vintage rock” sound.

In 2017, a group called The Summit emerged from Southern Ohio and joined ZZ Top’s Tonnage tour at the legendary band’s invitation. The band hasn’t slowed down since that pivotal moment in its musical journey. For the last eight years, it has enthralled concert audiences with its dynamic performances and authentic “vintage rock” sound.

With the band’s debut album, Firebirds & Aviators, closing in on 1 million streams on Spotify, The Summit is poised to once again break through to an even larger audience.

Breaking Through The Summit


Since then, the Summit has continued to build its exceptional touring credentials and
has shared stages with legendary musical acts such as Collective Soul, Cheap Trick,
Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Blues Traveler, and REO Speedwagon.
The band consists of Chris Scott on vocals, Mike Hennel on drums and vocals,
Michael Walker on bass, Matt Goetz and Nathan Morgan on guitar, and James
Wiley-Benes on keys and vocals. It has been steadily building its reputation on the
music scene. Blending infused blues-rock with southern rock, it has been compared
to classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin. The Summit calls its distinctive sound
“vintage rock.”

The Summit has been on an upward trajectory for nearly a decade. In 2016, the
band’s songwriters, Christ Scott and Mike Hennel, secured a publishing and
licensing deal in Nashville, Tennessee. This significant milestone was followed in
2017 when the band released a self-titled EP. The single ‘Nicola Jane’ was a
breakthrough for the band and garnered tens of thousands of listeners, resulting in
both satellite and radio market success.

Chris Scott shares that “The song became an anthem for us on the road and
helped us develop a solid fan base across the US. Since then, we have written dozens of songs and have performed all over the country to a diverse community of
fans that love good ole’ fashioned rock ‘n’ roll!”

In November 2024, The Summit reached another pivotal milestone with the release
of their debut album, Firebirds & Aviators. Will Turpin, famously known as the
bassist for Collective Soul, produced the album, which was recorded at Real to Reel
Studios in Georgia and released on vinyl and streaming platforms. The first single off
the album is ‘Hit Me Up’, which has been a streaming success.

A Commitment to Fans and Vintage Rock

As The Summit builds momentum, the band members are committed to performing
the best vintage rock while maintaining their authentic sound. The group also strives
to connect with its fans across different age groups to build a community within the
music scene. It’s proud that its new album bridges generational gaps and has
garnered a positive reaction from its fandom.

In the future, The Summit aspires to partner with like-minded artists and brands while
continuing to tell stories through their songs that resonate with the music audience.

According to Chris Scott, “Some of the coolest moments as a touring
band are being able to interact with fans during/after the show. Hearing them tell you
stories about how your music has had a positive impact on their life will never get
old!”