| The Rarely Herd | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Herd |
| Origin | Athens, Ohio, U.S./ Albany, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | Bluegrass, country, gospel, Southern rock |
| Years active | 1992-present |
| Labels | Pinecastle MDJ Herd Records |
| Website | www.therarelyherd.com |
| Members | |
| Jim Stack Jeff Weaver Todd Sams Jeff Hardin |
|
| Past members | |
| Dan Brooks Rob Ickes Calvin Leport Alan Stack |
|
The Rarely Herd are an American musical group from Athens, Ohio.
Contents |
The Rarely Herd is among the finest contemporary bluegrass bands to come out of Ohio, and became quite popular on the festival circuit. Playing a wide variety of progressive and traditional bluegrass along with their own unique compositions and adaptations from other genres, the Rarely Herd were especially noted for their close vocal harmonies and energetic performances. Their lineup included guitarist and lead singer 'Jim Stack; his brother, fiddler/mandolinist/vocalist Alan Stack, and bassist Jeff Weaver.
In addition to receiving over 120 National, International and Regional awards and nominations, The Herd was named one of Europe's 'Top 3 Best New Bands' and have been featured on CMT, TNN, GAC, and Japan's network giant NHK-TV. In 2003, The Rarely Herd received the Grand Masters Gold Award at the National Bluegrass Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee. This was given to The Herd in honor of their 10 consecutive wins as 'Entertaining Band of the Year' ' a feat unequaled in the history of these awards.
Among their long list of accolades are also a Gospel Music Association 'Dove' Award nomination and an IBMA 'Gospel Recording of the Year' nomination.
Beginning in 1992 with 'Midnight Loneliness', the first of seven internationally released albums, The Rarely Herd has consistently appeared on National and International music charts. Recently, a single from their CD, 'Return Journey' has charted in the Top Ten Bluegrass charts.
A 1992 showcase at the International Bluegrass Music Awards established the Ohio band as a force in contemporary bluegrass. That same year, Pinecastle issued their debut, Midnight Loneliness. Heartbreak City followed in 1994; two years later, the gospel-flavored album What About Him was released to widespread acclaim, giving the Herd their first Dove Award nomination. The Rarely Herd continued to win awards and win over audiences with their energetic mix of bluegrass prowess and on-stage antics. Forming their own recording company on 2002, the Herd has recorded 3 more CD's, Return Journey in 2004, Round-up, Vol One in 2007, and Fields of the Harvest in 2007.