BLOOMINGTON - They may wear cowboy hats and sing with a twang, but Eric Gordon insists The Cattle Bandits aren't a country band.

"People are like, 'What's your sound?' Gordon explained. "You hate to sit there and say country-rock, I think it's more the Midwestern sound. You don't just do one style or you're going to get killed."

Gordon of Bloomington and his bandmates will showcase their mix of country, rock and blues Friday evening as the opening act for country legend John Anderson at the McLean County Fair.

Following the fair gig, they'll head to Bloomington's VFW Post No. 454 for a release party for their new CD, "Homegrown."

In addition to Gordon, who handles lead vocals and plays guitar, the group's current lineup features Doug Ross of Atlanta, Heyworth native Jon Rapp on bass, and Morris residents Kyle Ripsch on keyboards and Tom Sparrow on drums.

The group formed in 2001, but Gordon and Ross have spent 17 years as bandmates in various local groups such as Justin Case and the Pot-Bellied Stallions.

However, the Bandits' new CD represents the pair's first foray into the studio. Gordon said the basic tracks were recorded on one day in March in Sparrow's basement, known as "The Man Cave," and was produced by local musician and techno-whiz "Pink Bob" Harper at SediStudio in Lexington.

The process was different for musicians who are more accustomed to performing live, according to Gordon.

"It was scary, but we learned a lot," Gordon said. "A lot of times you think what you hear when you're song writing, you go in the studio and it's just a whole different sound."

The CD features 11 original songs all penned by Gordon, who said the most important thing to him was that all the songs sound different from one another.

That's the case as the style runs from the country of "Beaches of Rural Route One," to Chuck Berry-styled rock and roll on "Ol' 66," which is, of course, about Route 66. Gordon said he wrote the song as he traveled the road back and forth to Ross' home in Atlanta.

Despite the different styles, a listen to the lyrics reveals a common thread that many will recognize as the people and places of central Illinois. That is especially evident on the Creedence Clearwater Revival-style swamp rocker "Haunted Grove," where "Back off the highway hidden in a grove of trees, there's tombstone shadows and voices callin' in the breeze."

"It's all about Funks Grove and the stories we all heard about it growing up," explained Gordon.

While opening for Anderson will provide the largest audience The Cattle Bandits have played for, it's not their first time sharing a bill with nationally-known entertainers. The band has opened for Neal McCoy, Mel McDaniel, Gene Watson, Doug Supernaw and David Allan Coe.

Gordon said Friday's twin bill will make for a busy night but the band is ready for the challenge.

"We're hearing reviews and everything is really going well," said Gordon. "It's exciting."

At a glance

What: The Cattle Bandits, opening for John Anderson, followed by CD release party

When: Performance, 6:45 p.m. Friday; CD party, 10:30 p.m.

Where: McLean County Fair (concert), Bloomington VFW (CD party)

More Information: www.cattlebandits.com