Over the past few years, Steel Hands Brewing on Foreman Street in Cayce has been quietly bringing some fast-rising fresh faces in country music to their stage as part of a concert series called “Nashville Nights.”

Every Friday night starting this weekend, Steel Hands hosts a concert featuring a country singer/songwriter or band that will probably be too big for their stage in a few years. The series, presented by Jim Hudson Audi, continues until August 16. These shows typically run from 6 p.m. to around 9:30 p.m., and they’re free to attend.

Steel Hands Brewing also provides plenty of food and drink at the Nashville Nights shows. This Friday’s performance by Nate Frederick & The Wholesome Boys includes the debut release of Nashville Nights Iced Tea Ale, hot chicken sandwiches and ribs straight off the grill.

Frederick and his band are based in Nashville, handily enough, and they’re definitely a pure country group, but their influences are broader. As a songwriter, Frederick pulls inspiration from icons like Bruce Springsteen and platinum-selling bands like The Killers, and the band has shared the stage with artists like Clint Black, Morgan Wade, Muscadine Bloodline and many more.

The rest of the series features performances from singer/songwriters Bre Kennedy, Gabe Lee and Kenny Foster, along with full band shows by Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves and Lady Couch.

Each show is hosted by Michael Haney, a S.C. singer/songwriter and former DJ who now spends most of his time in Nashville. Haney actually played a key role in the birth of the Nashville Nights series.

Inspired to give back to his community and showcase the talent he’d discovered in Music City, Haney teamed up with Steel Hands Brewing to create a one-of-a-kind listening experience for fans to not only enjoy the sounds of songwriting and the stories that inspired the lyrics, but to honor and preserve the songwriting legacy so the next generation can experience the artistry.

“It’s such an honor to partner with Steel Hands Brewing for the third consecutive year of Nashville Nights,” Haney said. “The Carolinas have a rich musical history and love of music, so being able to tap into Music City to bring some of the best established and up-and-coming songwriters back home is extremely rewarding. I look forward to continuing to add to the growing music scene, cultivating a community and hopefully inspiring those that wish to pursue this path. As they say in Nashville, it all starts with a song.”

And the fact is that there’s an intimacy to these shows that you can’t find in an arena or stadium. Steel Hands asks that crowds remain respectful during the shows, and the entire experience is designed to be laid back and fun. In a way, it’s probably the best way to see some of these artists, notably the solo singer/songwriter performances, which can give the audiences at the brewery a real feeling of connection with the artists.

So if you’re looking for the Next Big Thing in country music, it might be right down the street at Steel Hands Brewing this Friday night.