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About Sawyer Brown
Sawyer Brown is an American country music band founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by Mark Miller (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Gregg “Hobie” Hubbard (keyboards, vocals), Bobby Randall (lead guitar, vocals), Joe “Curly” Smyth (drums), and Jim Scholten (bass guitar). The five musicians were originally members of country singer Don King’s road band, but chose to stay together after King retired in 1981. After competing on the television competition series Star Search and winning that show’s grand prize, they signed to Capitol Records in 1984. The band recorded for Capitol between then and 1991, and for Curb Records between then and 2005, except for a short time in 2003 when they were signed to Lyric Street Records. Duncan Cameron, formerly of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, replaced Randall in 1991, and Shayne Hill replaced him in 2004.
Sawyer Brown has released eighteen studio albums and has charted over fifty times on the Hot Country Songs charts, including three No. 1 singles: “Step That Step” (1985), “Some Girls Do” (1992), and “Thank God for You” (1993). The band’s sound is largely defined by country pop and rock music influences, with cover versions of songs by George Jones, Michael Johnson, and Dave Dudley also among their hit singles. Artists with whom they have collaborated include Randy Scruggs, Joe Bonsall, and Mac McAnally.
The band signed with Capitol Records and scored a Top 20 hit with their first single, “Leona”, in 1984. That success was quickly followed by their first No. 1 hit, “Step That Step”. The band had their ups and downs on the charts throughout the 1980s, landing only sporadic Top 10 hits. However, by 1990 they had accumulated enough hits for a Greatest Hits package, and were successful on the touring circuit.
About Confederate Railroad
Confederate Railroad first rolled onto the national country music scene in the early 90s with its unique style and sound.
Headed by founder and frontman Danny Shirley, the former backup band for both David Allan Coe and Johnny Paycheck got their big break by signing with Atlantic Records. The first single from their debut album (“Confederate Railroad”) was “She Took It Like A Man.” It went to No. 26, a preview of what was to come. The next two singles, “Jesus and Mama” and “Queen of Memphis” went to the top of the charts. Three more huge hits followed, “Trashy Women”, “When You Leave That Way You Can Never Go Back”, and “She Never Cried”. “Trashy” would lead to a Grammy nomination and become their signature song. That album with six hits and nearly three million sales brought Confederate the Academy of Country Music’s Best New Group Award in 1993 as well as numerous nominations from the Country Music Association and the British Country Music Foundation.
The second album, “Notorious”, produced one of the group’s most popular songs “Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind” which became a No. One video as well. “Elvis and Andy” and “Summer in Dixie” would further establish the Railroad as one of the most versatile acts in the business. This album would sell more than one million. Their overal totals are 18 charted hits and five million albums sold.
From rowdy country to raw emotion, a Confederate Railroad concert today covers a wide range of feelings. Young people will be there rocking to “Trashy Women”, while their parents and even grandparents will likely be singing along to “Jesus and Mama”. The band plays 100 or so dates each year. Whatever the venue, they are right at home…be it a fair, a club, or a biker show. Shirley, the lead singer and vocalist, and his mates, Mark Dufresne on drums, Mo Thaxton on bass and vocals, Rusty Hendrix on lead guitar and Joey Recker on keyboards and vocals are obviously having fun right along with their appreciative audience. At the end of each show, the band stays around until every fan who wants an autograph, or to pose with the group for a picture or just say “hello” is taken care of.
