Drivin n`Cryin - the band that for all the big southern rock bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special, Allman Brothers Band, Dan Baird & The Georgia Sattelites, Kings of Leon, R.E.M, The Black Crowes, B-52`s, R.E.M, Soul Asylum...well The list goes on - DNC is epitomes with the term "Southern Rock".
Though they never really hit the big time outside the south - well, that depends on how you define "the big time" as they have sold over a million records and has a die-hard fan base worldwide - working with the likes of Neil Young, Pearl Jam, Johnny Cash (RIP) and appears on Letterman and so on - I suppose the definition "big time" is a bit vague...But one fact stands and that`s the fact that they didn't`t follow up when they should have after their gold album "Fly Me Courageous" and started various solo projects and so on - their musical diversity was another factor as they can rock like Motorhead on one song and the next one rival any of Neil Young`s acoustic politically charged acoustic tunes - A diverse gang indeed!" No-one quite like them really - a curse & blessing, sometimes I think their tour bus stopped at the same southern crossroad as fellow southerner Mr.Robert Johnson!
After a few years without releases (Kevn has put out a string of solo albums) the band released "The Great American Bubble Factory" and hit the road again in 99`and DNC fever was back on the road once more! In fact it was such a success that they got two releases coming up in the next couple of months and will be hitting Europe this summer for the first time since 91`where they were named live performance of the year by Kerrang!
The band was formed in 1985 in Atlanta. Kevn Kinney hooked up with Tim Nielsen, who was in a popular band called the Nightporters with drummer Paul Lenz at the time. Kinney had just moved to Georgia from Milwaukee[1] and was working in a sewage treatment plant by day while playing folk gigs by night. The band’s name, Drivin’ 'N’ Cryin’, was chosen from one of Kevn’s many songs that reflected the two directions of their music.
Various musicians accompanied the threesome in the early years. They signed with indie label 688 Records in 1986 after becoming one of Atlanta’s top club draws. Their first album, Scarred But Smarter, was an instant hit and landed them countless tour dates and later a contract with Island Records. In 1987, Lenz left the band and was replaced by Jeff Sullivan, who was recruited just in time to accompany them for their first major-label release. Sullivan had been the drummer for Mr. Crowes Garden, the band that later became The Black Crowes, prior to joining Drivin' 'N' Cryin'. That same year, the band held its first “Benefit For The Hopeful,” a concert to raise money for Atlanta homeless organizations, held annually on Dec. 8, the anniversary of John Lennon’s death. Other native Georgian group R.E.M’s touring rhythm guitarist Buren Fowler joined the trio at this time as well. He was officially asked to join the band in 1988, after repeated on-stage appearances with the group.
The band released its first album for Island, Whisper Tames The Lion, produced by Anton Fier, in early 1988. The album peaked at #130 on the Billboard 200. College radio success (and some commercial) accumulated with airplay of the songs "Can't Promise You The World" (for which the band filmed its first video) and "Powerhouse".
1989 marked the release of some of the band's most memorable songs on the Mystery Road album, such as “Honeysuckle Blue” and “Straight To Hell.” In 1991, the more hard-rocking Fly Me Courageous ended up being the band's most commercially successful album, with the album being certified gold.The next few years the band toured with artists such as Neil Young, and Soul Asylum. In 1993, the band released another album produced by Geoff Workman, entitled Smoke, which peaked at #95 on the Billboard’s Top 200 album chart.This album was another all-out rocker, marked with guitar assaults, but it failed to catch on with the public as had its predecessor.
In 1994, the band decided to move away from the heavy guitar sounds of the previous two records and brought in keyboardist Joey Huffman to replace Buren Fowler. That same year the band left Island Records and found a new home at Geffen Records. The band's first and only Geffen album, 1995's Wrapped In Sky, featured newly added keyboard sounds and a return to the band's original sound.
1997 brought along a self-titled album, followed two years later by a live album, The Essential Live Drivin’ 'N’ Cryin'. In 2000, the band released The Ultimate Collection, a best-of collection. In 2003, the band released a four-song EP, Detroit City Rock, which featured a cover of the Beatles "Let It Be," recorded in New York City on Sept. 13, 2001. The band released its first full studio album in 12 years, The Great American Bubble Factory on September 29, 2009. In 2011, the Georgia General Assembly commended Drivin' N' Cryin' in a house resolution for the band's achievements.
Kevn Kinney has also maintained a solo career over the years. He released his first solo album, the acoustic MacDougal Blues in 1990. This was followed by Down Out Law in 1994, and The Flower And The Knife in 2000. The latter featured guests such as Blues Traveler's John Popper, Edwin McCain, and members of Gov't Mule and the Allman Brothers Band. He has released three more solo albums since. In addition to his solo recordings, he has frequently performed solo live concerts, including live collaborations with Peter Buck of R.E.M. and the two bands continues to work together, Buren has played on most R.E.M records and even Mike Mills har been seen lurking around as well as the above mentioned long term collabortion in the studio and on stage with Peter Buck.
March 2011: The State of Georgia honors Drivin n Cryin on March 10 with Resolution 387, recognizing the band for it's charity, longevity, service, and cultural contribution. Plans are laid for a new album. And the road beckons.... (to be continued). In the fall of 2011 Drivin' N' Cryin' added Leslie's Sadler Vaden on guitar.
Oct 2011: It is announced that Sadler Vaden has joined Drivin N Cryin and the band is back in the studio preparing the follow up to 2009's '(Whatever Happened To The) Great American Bubble Factory.' Well, the truth is that they are preparing two follow ups! Plans have been laid to release an EP around the holidays this year with a full length album to follow in early-to-mid 2012. And yes, these recordings will contain the stellar guitar work of Sadler.
Nov 2011 : Latest DNC news: Summer tour of Europe just confirmed! WATCH THIS SPACE FOR DATES!
Discography
Scarred But Smarter (1986)
Whisper Tames The Lion (1988) U.S.
Mystery Road (1989)
Fly Me Courageous (1991)
Live on Fire (EP) (1991)
Smoke (1993)
Wrapped In Sky (1995)
Drivin' 'N' Cryin' (1997)
Essential Live (1999)
Ultimate Collection (2000)
Detroit City Rock (EP) (2003)
The Great American Bubble Factory (2009)
The Band
Kevn Kinney (Guitar/Vocals)
Tim Nielsen (Bass)
Dave V. Johnson (Drums)
Sadler Vaden (Guitar)
Past members
Joey Huffman
Paul Lenz
Buren Fowler
Jeff Sullivan
David Franklin
Marshall Ethridge
Mac Carter
www.drivinncryin.com
