The SteelDrivers

The SteelDrivers
Origin Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres Bluegrass
Years active 2005-present
Labels Rounder
Members Richard Bailey
Mike Fleming
Gary Nichols
Tammy Rogers
Brent Truitt
Past members Chris Stapleton
Mike Henderson

The SteelDrivers are a bluegrass band from Nashville, Tennessee. Members include fiddler Tammy Rogers, bassist Mike Fleming, guitarist Gary Nichols and banjoist Richard Bailey. The band has recorded two albums on the Rounder Records label and one independent live album recorded at The Station Inn.

After playing at bluegrass festivals they signed to Rounder Records and released a self-titled debut in 2008, featuring new lead singer Chris Stapleton, whose croaking voice resembles Tom Waits, setting them apart from other bluegrass bands.[1] The album peaked at No. 57 on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums chart.[2] The group was nominated for a Grammy award in 2009 for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their song "Blue Side of the Mountain."[3] In 2010, the group received two nominations for its second album, Reckless. The album has been nominated for both Best Bluegrass Album and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the song "Where Rainbows Never Die."[4]

Stapleton announced in April, 2010 that he was leaving the band to focus on raising his family.[5] He was replaced by former Mercury Records artist Gary Nichols on lead vocals and guitar.[6] In December, 2011 founding member Mike Henderson left the band[7] in order "to do something different".[8] Henderson was replaced by Nashville musician and record producer Brent Truitt.

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US Grass US Country US Heat
The SteelDrivers 2 57 —
Reckless
  • Release date: September 7, 2010
  • Label: Rounder Records
 2 — 17
Hammer Down
  • Release date: February 5, 2012
  • Label: Rounder Records
 1 — 6
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

Year Video Director
2013 "I'll Be There"[9] Dycee Wildman
"Wearin' a Hole"[10]

References

  1. ↑ The Steeldrivers at Allmusic
  2. ↑ Billboard, Allmusic
  3. ↑ Flippo, Chet (22 January 2009). "NASHVILLE SKYLINE: A Deserved Grammy Nod for SteelDrivers". CMT. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  4. ↑ http://www.grammy.com/nominees|accessdate=6 December 2010
  5. ↑ "Chris Stapleton leaves The SteelDrivers". Country Standard Time. 1 April 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  6. ↑ "Gary Nichols named SteelDrivers' new singer". Country Standard Time. 2 April 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  7. ↑ "Mike Henderson Exits the Steeldrivers". Bluegrass Today. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  8. ↑ "Mike Henderson Moves On". Bluegrass Today. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  9. ↑ "CMT : Videos : The SteelDrivers : I'll Be There". Country Music Television. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  10. ↑ "CMT : Videos : The SteelDrivers : Wearin' a Hole". Country Music Television. Retrieved October 12, 2013.