Though they planned a slower start, Jessie & the Gents have galloped onto the country-acoustic scene. This Swiss quintet—Jessie Hardegger (vocals, mandolin), Rick Noorlander (vocals, guitar), Markus Fritsche (vocals, bass), Rainer Hagmann (fiddle), and Olivier Uldry (vocals, dobro)—offers a warm, genuine sound.

In May 2018, they took first prize at the Swiss Country Music Awards and won “Best Song” with “I Ain’t Gonna Ride with You.” Their back-to-basics approach shines through in both original tracks and covers of artists like Alison Krauss and Norah Jones—kept simple but played with real joy and skill, delivering a truly uplifting musical experience.