Big House (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Big House | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Bakersfield, California, USA |
| Genre(s) | Country |
| Years active | 1994-2000, 2007 |
| Label(s) | MCA Nashville Dead Reckoning |
| Associated acts | Eddie Money |
| Former members | |
| Monty Byrom Tanner Byrom Sonny California Ron Mitchell David Neuhauser Benny Rappa Chuck Seaton Steve Vines |
|
Big House was an American country music band with origins in Bakersfield, California. Originally, the band consisted of Monty Byrom (lead vocals, guitar), Tanner Byrom (drums), Sonny California (harmonica), Ron Mitchell (bass guitar), David Neuhauser (guitar, piano), and Chuck Seaton (guitar). Under this lineup, Big House recorded two albums for MCA Nashville: 1997's gold-certified Big House and 1998's Travelin' Kind. These two albums produced four chart singles on the Billboard country charts, including the #30 hit "Cold Outside".
After the release of their second album, all of the band's members departed except for Monty Byrom and David Neuhauser; Benny Rappa was then signed the band's new drummer, and Steve Vines assumed the role of bass guitarist. The revamped lineup recorded one album for Dead Reckoning Records before disbanding in 2000, although all six original members held one reunion concert in 2007.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Although its six members (all natives of Bakersfield, California) had all performed together in various lineups, Big House was not officially formed until 1994, when brothers Monty and Tanner Byrom first performed with four other musicians at a venue in Oildale, California.[2][3] After realizing that they all seemed to work well together, the six musicians decided to form a band. Monty Byrom, who had previously penned hit singles for Eddie Money,[3] assumed the role of lead vocalist and guitarist, while Tanner served as drummer; the other four original members included harmonica player Roy Lackey (who assumed the stage name Sonny California),[3] bass guitarist Ron Mitchell, and guitarists David Neuhauser and Chuck Seaton.[2]
[edit] Major-label debut
Throughout the 1990s, Big House played throughout their native state of California. They had also tried to make themselves known in Nashville, Tennessee; however, Big House was not well-received by Nashville until Neuhauser suggested that the band submit a demo tape to Tony Brown, president of MCA Nashville Records.[2] A demo tape was sent to the label, and by 1997, the re-tooled demo tape was issued as the band's debut album, also titled Big House.[2][4][5] Three of the album's singles entered the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including "Cold Outside", which peaked at #30. In addition, the album received RIAA gold certification for U.S. sales of more than 500,000 copies.[3] A second album, entitled Travelin' Kind, followed one year later; its lone single peaked at #63.
[edit] Membership changes and disbanding
After the release of their second album, however, most of Big House's members parted ways; Tanner Byrom and Seaton had left to start families.[3] Monty Byrom and Neuhauser then recruited Benny Rappa and Steve Vines, who took over on bass guitar and drums, respectively. The four-piece lineup recorded one album, Woodstock Nation, which was issued in 2000 on Dead Reckoning Records, an independent label owned by songwriters Kieran Kane and Kevin Welch.[6] Big House disbanded shortly afterward; the six original members did, however, reunite in March 2007 for one concert in their native Bakersfield.[1]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Year | Title | Label | US Country | RIAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Big House | MCA Nashville | 33 | Gold |
| 1998 | Travelin' Kind | |||
| 2000 | Woodstock Nation | Dead Reckoning |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Single | US Country | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | "Cold Outside" | 30 | Big House |
| "You Ain't Lonely Yet" | 57 | ||
| "Love Ain't Easy" | 71 | ||
| 1998 | "Faith" | 63 | Travelin' Kind |
| 2000 | "I'm Movin' On"A | Woodstock Nation |
- AFailed to chart.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Loyd, Erik (2007-03-22). Big House packs Palace in Reunion. The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved on 2007-12-30.
- ^ a b c d Big House. Pollstar (1997-06-02). Retrieved on 2007-12-30.
- ^ a b c d e Loyd, Erik (2006-07-26). And the Big House band played on. The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved on 2007-12-30.
- ^ Ankeny, Jason. Big House biography. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-12-30.
- ^ Price, Robert. Like a House Afire. The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved on 2007-12-30.
- ^ Western Beat Welcomes Bakersfield Rockers. CMT (2000-08-12). Retrieved on 2007-12-30.
[edit] External links
- Big House at Dead Reckoning Records
- Monty Byrom official website
- Big House at MySpace
