Pollstar.com has a fantastic article on Railroad Earth (Saturday at 4:15 at the Ranch) that I think you need to read. It takes a great look at the “jamband” title that is so liberally thrown around these days and helps introduce you to a band that I hope you won’t miss when Rothbury rolls into town in a couple weeks.

Back in the day (the day being the mid-90’s), I was introduced to the Dave Matthews Band. Early 1995 to be exact. I consumed as much of their music as I could – live, studio, whatever… Eventually, my fanaticism spilled into the still-emerging-Internet world – joining email listserves and discussion boards. It was in one of these interactive fan environments that I learned of an up-and-coming Roots Rock outfit from New Jersey. They called themselves From Good Homes. With a similar instrument lineup to DMB, the thing that caught my attention the most was the unique vocals of singer-songwriter Todd Sheaffer. Again, much like the vocals coming from the mid-90’s version of Dave Matthews, Todd Sheaffer has what I consider a very polarizing sound – he’s either gonna turn you off or blow your mind. I sit firmly entrenched in the “blown mind” camp.

1999 saw the end of From Good Homes, with a final blowout concert in early August. Shaeffer would move on to put out a solo record before hopping on the train to join Railroad Earth. The Pollstar article above picks it up from here, history-wise, so go enjoy the read. Then I’ll see you in a couple weeks at Rothbury for Railroad Earth!