Southeast Iowa country band Linc & the Drifters to perform at Wildwood Saloon

There's something about sports and country recording artists. The late Toby Keith played for the USFL's Oklahoma Outlaws, Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line pitched for Florida State and Chase Rice was a linebacker at the University of North Carolina.

Linc Henriksen never played for a high profile program, but like the aforementioned musicians, it was all about sports until the Mount Pleasant native hit his late teens.

"I didn't start playing the guitar until my senior year of high school," Henriksen said. "I was a sports guy. I played three sports in high school."

The only reason Henriksen, 21, took a stab at music was due to Mount Pleasant High School's talent show.

"I told my dad, 'It's my senior year. What if I learn three chords on the guitar? What if I get someone to play drums and bass?' I put together this band. I learned how to play Chris Janson's 'Buy Me a Boat.' I was surprised people loved it. I thought it was fun, but I believed that wasn't going to happen again."

But that high school talent show performance wasn't the end of Henriksen's musical career. It was just the beginning. The fan of '90s country was shocked by an offer he received shortly after making his debut.

"A lady called from the Midwest Old Thresher's Reunion," Henriksen said. "She said, 'I'm in charge of live music and I need someone to fill a set. Can you do it?' I said, 'Absolutely.' I picked up my guitar and I quickly learned more songs since I had two months to get ready to perform."

After receiving an enthusiastic response from the crowd at the annual Old Thresher's Reunion in 2022, Henriksen decided to continue to explore musical opportunities and continue to go to school.

"I'm studying elementary education," Henriksen said. "The goal is music, but music is plan B."

The pragmatic Iowa State senior is working hard at both of his endeavors. Henriksen, who will perform Saturday at Wildwood Saloon, is working on his debut album with his band, the Drifters.

"We're really excited about going into the studio," Henriksen said. "We'll be in a recording studio in West Liberty from January 5 to 9. This will be our first professionally produced album. We're excited. We'll have lap steel guitar and fiddle. We're recording 13 songs."

Each of those tunes will be previewed when the band plays the Wildwood.

"We're looking forward to doing them all at that show," Henriksen said. "What I love about the Wildwood is that it's not like college bars where people go to drink and are loud and just want to hear cover songs. People who go there are up for original music."

Due to the season, expect Henriksen and the Drifters, which also includes guitarist Drake Landau, keyboardist Garrett Laudau, bassist Jimmy Freeborn and drummer Bryce Wilson, to slip in some holiday covers.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we played some country Christmas covers," Henriksen said. "We'll be performing two days after Christmas, so why not?"

Expect some versions of tunes from other recording artists from the kid, who grew up on his parent's music.

"I love what I heard when I was a child," Henriksen said. "I'm all about Keith Whitley, Brooks & Dunn and Toby Keith."

Perhaps Keith's anthemic "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" will be played.

"People love that song," Henriksen said. "Maybe we'll play Charley Pride's 'Mountain of Love.' That's such a great song. It's just going to be fun playing the Wildwood. I remember after playing at Threshers and people saying 'One day, you can play the Wildwood.' It's such a great venue. I remember going there for New Year's Eve a few years ago and it was a dream come true to play there. I'm always up for a show at the Wildwood."

It'll be curious what Henriksen decides to do after he graduates during the spring of '27.

"I'm going to do student teaching and see how it goes," Henriksen said. "I love to teach. My father has been in education his whole life. He's been in the Mount Pleasant school district and loves it. I want to help people but I also enjoy making and playing music. We'll see what happens."