When Aaron Lopo founded Horse & Hyde, he envisioned more than a restaurant and bar. He set out to build a stage for young country artists to find their voice. That vision came to life one night when a rising band, The Pocket Aces, played at Horse & Hyde and received a simple handwritten note from Lopo: “one more hour.”

That phrase became more than encouragement; it became a mantra. The Pocket Aces, like many young musicians who’ve stepped onto the Horse & Hyde stage, kept that note as a reminder to dig deeper, play harder, and never let go of their dream. Stories of that night continue to ripple through the community, inspiring other artists to trade their nine-to-five jobs for full-time music careers.

Among those artists is Brandon Head, who left his full-time job to pursue music after performing at Horse & Hyde. At just 26 years old, Brandon is now facing an unexpected and life-changing battle with thyroid cancer. For a young artist whose passion is rooted in singing and storytelling, the diagnosis has been a heavy blow - but his resilience and dedication to music continue to inspire.

To honor Brandon and raise awareness of thyroid cancer, Horse & Hyde will host two special awareness nights:

• October 15 at the Uptown location
• October 30 at the Arcadia location

“Horse & Hyde isn’t just a venue; it’s a launchpad and a family,” Lopo said. “That note wasn’t just for The Pocket Aces. It was for Brandon and every artist who’s ever doubted themselves. Sometimes one more hour changes everything, and sometimes it’s the community that gives you that extra hour of strength.”

Learn more about the awareness events at horseandhyde.com.