The band members, already accomplished musicians, first came together in early 2001. Originally comprised of guitarist/vocalist Todd Sheaffer, violinist/vocalist Tim Carbone, mandolinist/vocalist John Skehan, multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Andy Goessling, drummer/vocalist Carey Harmon, and bassist ]Dave Von Dollen, the group played both original compositions mostly written by Sheaffer, the former From Good Homes songwriter, as well as traditional songs. After just three weeks of rehearsals, they went into a local recording studio and tracked a five song demo. Recorded live with no overdubs except backing vocals, The Black Bear Sessions set Railroad Earth's career in motion. Within a week they had a manager on board who then sent their demo out to some of the country’s most prestigious festivals, quickly landing a slot at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. That was their tenth gig. The Black Bear Sessions was released to the public in June 2001, and following their appearance at Telluride Sugar Hill Records approached the band and offered them a record deal. The Black Bear Sessions contains some of the most popular songs in Railroad Earth's repertoire, including "Seven Story Mountain" and "Head."
In June 2002, one year from the release of their debut, Railroad Earth’s second album, Bird in a House, came out on Sugar Hill Records, featuring songs such as "Bird In A House," "Like A Buddha," and "Mighty River.". The band continued its steady touring schedule, playing theatres, folk-music festivals, jam-band festivals, and other venues, while gathering much praise for its unique sound and enjoyable live concerts. The band eventually built up a fanbase who call themselves Hobos.
In 2003 Dave Von Dollen was replaced by bassist Johnny Grubb. In 2004 the band released its third studio effort, The Good Life, featuring "Storms," Mourning Flies," and "Goat." The band continued to tour throughout the country, and its first live album, Elko, was issued in late January 2006. They performed at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on September 15, 2007.
The band's fourth studio album, entitled Amen Corner, was released on June 10, 2008. The new album features songs such as "Been Down This Road," "Hard Livin'," "Waggin' The Dog," and "Lovin' You".
On November 11, 2009, Grubb announced his departure from the band after Railroad Earth's New Year's Eve run of shows in Portland, OR. In February 2010, Andrew Altman of the Codetalkers and Blueground Undergrass was named as his successor.
The band's self-titled fifth album was released on Oct 12, 2010. The album features Andy Goessling playing electric guitar for the first time, plus an 11-minute instrumental written by John Skehan entitled "Spring-Heeled Jack" (SHJ is John Skehan's initials backwards); the latter is the longest studio track to date for the band.
Andy Goessling passed away in October 2018.
The Good Life
Railroad Earth Lyrics
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And an apple going black
Went up the mad river valley
They never looked back
Way up the mountain
Of a cam bell ridge
Up an old logging rope
Across an old mill bridge
They built a little house
Out of stone they found
Put they're backs to the plow
And the seeds in the ground
Water from the spring
Running plenty and good
From a hard wood forest
Chopping fire from the wood
Oh
They're living the good life
Oh
Living the good life
They got bread in the oven,
Got books on the shelf
They're looking deep into each
Others eyes keeping to themselves
Pursuing ideals with
Grace and style
And they're making ends meet
With their huggle belly guile
Oh
They're living the good life
Oh
Living the good life
Way up the mountain
Of a cam bell ridge
Up an old logging rope,
Across an old mill bridge
They built a little house
Out of stone they found
Put they're backs to the plow
And the seeds in the ground
The got the power of the sun
And the strength of the soil
Finding peace in their hearts
And faith in their toil
Oh
They're living the good life
Oh
Living the good life
The song "The Good Life" by Railroad Earth tells the story of two people who grew tired of the modern way of living and decided to leave behind their former lives to pursue a simpler and more fulfilling lifestyle. The lyrics paint a picture of their journey as they travel up the Mad River Valley and find a place to settle down in the mountains of Cam Bell Ridge. They build a little house out of stone they found and live off the land, plowing the fields and planting seeds to grow their own food. They survive with their huggle belly guile, which means they use their intelligence and resourcefulness to make ends meet.
The singers of the song find contentment in their lives, as they have bread in the oven, books on the shelf, and each other's love. They pursue their ideals with grace and style, and find peace in their hearts and faith in their toil. They have the power of the sun and the strength of the soil to live sustainably, and they have found a way to live the good life on their terms.
The song is a reflection on the desire for a simpler way of living, free from the trappings of modern society. It celebrates the virtues of self-sufficiency, resourcefulness, and community, and encourages listeners to find their own path to the good life.
Line by Line Meaning
They got tired of living
They became weary of their previous way of life
And an apple going black
An apple that has become rotten
Went up the mad river valley
They traveled to the Mad River Valley region
They never looked back
They did not regret leaving their old life behind
Way up the mountain
At the top of the mountain
Of a cam bell ridge
Referring to a specific location in the Mad River Valley region
Up an old logging rope
They accessed their new home via an old logging rope
Across an old mill bridge
They crossed an old bridge made for a mill
They built a little house
They constructed a small dwelling
Out of stone they found
They used stones found in the area for their home
Put they're backs to the plow
They worked hard farming the land
And the seeds in the ground
They planted crops in the soil
Water from the spring
They had a fresh water source from a natural spring
Running plenty and good
It was a reliable source of water
From a hard wood forest
The surrounding forest was made up of hardwood trees
Chopping fire from the wood
They gathered wood from the forest and chopped it for firewood
They're living the good life
They are content and happy with their new life
They got bread in the oven
They were cooking bread
Got books on the shelf
They had books in their home
They're looking deep into each
They are gazing intently at one another
Others eyes keeping to themselves
They are keeping to themselves and focusing on their relationship
Pursuing ideals with
They are striving towards certain goals and beliefs
Grace and style
They are doing so with elegance and grace
And they're making ends meet
They are able to support themselves financially
With their huggle belly guile
They are using their resourcefulness to make ends meet
The got the power of the sun
They are utilizing solar power
And the strength of the soil
The soil is rich and productive
Finding peace in their hearts
They are at peace and content
And faith in their toil
They have faith in their hard work
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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