Steamboat Springs — With Southern roots and a dash of classic rock ‘n’ roll, Yer State Birds have begun to make themselves known throughout Steamboat Springs.

A year ago, they were merely a three-piece band, but now, officially have become a five-piece group equipped with a horn section.

“We are kind of just getting started here but I think we are beginning to prove ourselves through our music with each performance,” frontman guitarist and singer J.R. Adams said.

This weekend, they plan to do just that with two full shows and a visiting band. Starting at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Yer State Birds will open for The Sharrows, a group from Madison, Wisconsin.

At the same time Saturday night, The Sharrows will be the opening act for Yer State Birds. Both shows will take place at the Steamboat Smokehouse, a venue in town that hopes to incorporate more live shows in addition to their reputation for barbecue.

According to Kyle Love, co-owner of the Steamboat Smokehouse, the plans are to book more shows of local bands and traveling acts. Although Smokehouse has had a few smaller events with Sandrock Sound and Jay Roemer performing, this weekend will be the business’s major show.

“Yer State Birds is a phenomenal local band with a bluesy rock n’ roll sound with funk on the side of it,” Love said. “They’ve really mashed up their sound into something delicious that anyone can enjoy.”

Love explained that Yer State Birds and The Sharrows headlining and opening for each other is a way for the musicians to play an entire lineup with different sets of music each night.

Finding their start in Georgia, Adams met bass player and longtime friend, Jeff Goodhand in college but never found the time or place to start their own band.

Once Adams moved to Steamboat more than a year ago, the timing was perfect and they started the original lineup of Yer State Birds with the addition of Ryan Fanders, the group’s drummer.

Honing their skills at the Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse, they found two new members, Kris Lindahl on saxophone and John Miller on keys and trombone. Goodhand said the additional horns create a “fuller” sound with their music and adds to the dynamics and creativity of the group.

“I think we bring something different to the table,” Adams said. “People here appreciate Southern music, and there are so many New Orleans bands that come through and people seem to love it because it’s music that moves people and it has done so for a long time; it’s not going to go away.”

Melding together a set list of originals and covers, friend and fellow musician Jay Roemer said he’s watched the group evolve within the past two years.

“They’re a bunch of studs with a good rock ‘n’ roll sound, which will never get old,” Roemer said. “They could have been a boy band about 10 years ago. They would have definitely given One Direction a run for their money.”

Not only has the band begun to perform more often, it plans to take the next month off for recording new music with the five-piece lineup.

“I’ve had this vision for a group like this enjoying ourselves and letting things happen really organically,” Adams said. “With these guys we just click really well together.”

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@ExploreSteamboat.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1