The SteelDrivers go number one on iTunes
Friday, December 19, 2008 – The SteelDrivers were the number one seller on iTunes in 2008 in the Americana/Bluegrass Album category for their self-titled debut, beating out number two Alison Krauss and Robert Plant's "Raising Sand."
The SteelDrivers were also recently nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group along with Rascal Flatts, Brooks & Dunn, Sugarland and Lady Antebellum. Produced by Luke Wooten (Alison Krauss, Jim Lauderdale and Dierks Bentley), the release has received much acclaim.
The band consists of singer Chris Stapleton, mandolinist/guitarist/vocalist Mike Henderson (Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt), fiddler/vocalist Tammy Rogers (Buddy and Julie Miller, Reba, Rodney Crowell), banjo player Richard Bailey (Johnny Cash, George Jones, Al Green) and bassist Mike Fleming (Kevin Welch, David Olney).
More news for The SteelDrivers
CD reviews for The SteelDrivers
The Muscle Shoals Recordings
The SteelDrivers are a dynamic, driving bluegrass band, a five-piece with a sound and an approach completely their own. "The Muscle Shoals Recordings" is their fourth album and second featuring expressive lead vocalist Gary Nichols and mandolinist Brent Truitt alongside group founders Tammy Rodgers (fiddle), Richard Bailey (five-string banjo), and Mike Fleming (bass).
Given Nichols' roots in the Alabama community, it is hardly a surprise that The SteelDrivers chose to record at »»» |
Hammer Down
While you wouldn't know it from reading their press, there are many bluegrass bands with as good a back-story as The SteelDrivers, and as advanced songwriting and musicianship prowess, while having deeper professional bluegrass roots and longer track records with more significant lineup alterations over a relatively brief period of time.
Not to begrudge The SteelDrivers notice they receive, sometimes it feels a bit over the top. But darn it, they know how to produce a mighty inspiring bluegrass album. »»» |
Reckless
The soph CD from the appropriately named driving bluegrass band The SteelDrivers is a swan song of sorts. No, the band is not heading towards oblivion, but this is the last disc with lead singer Chris Stapleton because he has decided to go back to songwriting (perhaps with good reason as he penned Never Wanted Nothing More for Kenny Chesney, Swing for Trace Adkins, Your Man for Josh Turner, Keep On Lovin' You for Steel Magnolia and Come Back Song for Darius Rucker). That's too bad for »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: For Brooks and fans, a most unusual change of pace –
To say that this was a change of pace for Garth Brooks - not to mention his fans - would be an understatement of the highest degree. Brooks all but begged during the show to be playing next door at Gillette Stadium where the New England Patriots play.
But, alas, Brooks exuded joy and excitement at the chance to play before about 500 people at a club,... »»»
Concert Review: LBT proves more than capable –
If you have seen Little Big Town in the last decade, it could have been anywhere from a B stage at a Rib Fest to a 20,000-seat amphitheater as the opener for some of country's top acts. Their current "Nightfall" tour rightfully proves they are more than capable and well deserved being billed as a top headlining act.... »»»
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What I Came Here For
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Tornillo
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Nightfall
Little Big Town gets billed as a country music vocal group, but "Nightfall" plays out more like a four-headed singer-songwriter effort. Many of these songs hearken back to some of the best '70s introspective songwriter efforts. »»» |
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