Rand Reynolds is a guitarist and songwriter from Indianapolis, IN. He now lives in Bloomington on the edge of Indiana University. - (Read more)

When Mike McGuire and guitarist Jim Seales started a band in the clubs of Muscle Shoals, Alabama in 1984 they never dreamed their dedication to great music would lead them down such a long and illustrious road. By late 1985 they had added bassist Ralph Ezell, keyboardist Stan Thorn, and a struggling bluegrass singer named Marty Raybon to the mix and were confident they had the winning combination they’d been looking for, and the Grammy award winning group Shenandoah was born. Within their first two years on CBS records, the band scored 5 number one records including “Church on Cumberland Road”, “Sunday in the South”, and “Next to You Next to Me”. But after a lengthy legal battle over the name ‘Shenandoah’ they moved to RCA records. In no time at all they hit again with 4 more number ones including “If Bubba Can Dance” and the heartfelt “I Want to Be Loved Like That.” In 1996 the band was lured by music legend Jimmy Bowen to Capitol Records and it was during this period that Shenandoah’s live shows took on an exciting new dimension and the band produced more chart toppers like ”Janie Baker’s Love Slave”, and the Grammy award winner, “Somewhere In The Vicinity of the Heart”. Some acts would have played it safe after establishing themselves as a successful country “Supergroup” and winning a CMA award, TNN and ACM group of the year accolades, and the much coveted Grammy, but not these guys. With thirteen number one songs, countless chart hits, Gold albums, and a reputation as one of the hardest working touring acts in the business, this band is still evolving, taking chances, and striving for the musical perfection and performance that have made them radio and concert favorites around the country. - (Read more)

Stonehoney began as a bunch of “songwriters in the round.” It’s that simple. Nothing contrived or planned, just a group of songwriters that enjoy playing and singing together. “We would meet up at Nick’s house in Beachwood Canyon and play songs around the circle. With four singers we just naturally started singing harmonies and this sound, reminiscent of the country rock sound of the 70’s, began to develop that we all really loved.” In August of 2005 the band took their “Songs From A Hillside Living Room” live with a monthly show at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. The line-up consisting of Shawn Davis, Phil Hurley, David Phenicie, Nick Randolph and Scotty Lund was now complete. The formation of Stonehoney generated several albums worth of new material and caught the attention of hit maker producer Ric Wake. Ric took the band into the studio to capture the magic of their live “living room” sound and cut over 40 tracks. The first record will be released early summer 2007. And the rest as they say, will be history. - (Read more)

Sugarland’s Kristian Bush recalls his reaction when fans first started to sing along to their songs in concert. “I’d seek those people out and give them a guitar pick,” he says with a laugh. “Now I don’t have near enough picks.” That’s what happens when the world falls in love with your music. It’s already been a year of extraordinary firsts for Sugarland, the chart-topping singer-songwriter duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. For starters, their Mercury Nashville debut, Twice the Speed of Life, was certified Double Platinum. In addition, they received the award for Breakthrough Favorite New Artist at the American Music Awards (their competition included artists from all genres of music.) Plus, radio and fans alike have embraced all of their singles: “Baby Girl,” “Something More,” “Just Might (Make Me Believe)” and “Down in Mississippi (Up To No Good).”

By instilling lyrical insurgency to a blend of roots and country-infused indie-rock, The Famous go beyond merely aping their influences - the pitfall of so many bands with retro inclinations – and bring a new and unique voice to the alt-country landscape.