The band signed with Capitol Records and scored a Top 20 hit with their first single, "Leona," in 1984. That success was quickly followed by their first #1 hit, "Step That Step". The band had their ups and downs on the charts throughout the 1980s. But radio success was not really Sawyer Brown's strong suit. It never was. Rather, they have been successful due to their live performances. Fans flock to the band's concerts year after year, whether the band performs in a stadium, state fair, or casino. The live shows, more than anything, sustained the band until 1989's remake of the George Jones hit "The Race Is On" put them back near the top of the charts.
In 1991, after the release of their album Buick, guitarist Bobby Randall left the group to remain close to his family and host a short-lived TV talent show, You Can Be A Star. Duncan Cameron, formerly of The Amazing Rhythm Aces, was chosen as his replacement just as Sawyer Brown was about to become country music's "it" band. The band then switched labels, moving to Curb Records and releasing the albums The Dirt Road, Cafe On The Corner, and Outskirts Of Town, which saw hit after hit for the band in the early to mid-'90s.
Sawyer Brown was all over country music radio and television for much of the decade. After 1999's Top 10 hit "Drive Me Wild," however, the country music industry seemed to forget about Sawyer Brown in favor of newer acts like Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, and Keith Urban.
The band was having ups and downs in the charts again – mostly downs. In 2003, they parted with Curb, their record label of eleven years, and signed with Lyric Street Records. They released one single, "I'll Be Around", and then left Lyric Street as well. In 2004, they re-signed with Curb, but Duncan Cameron decided to leave the group to pursue a life-long dream of flying for Southwest Airlines.
Guitarist Shayne Hill was added to the lineup as they prepared for the release of their 20th album, Mission Temple Fireworks Stand. While Sawyer Brown is still looking to reclaim the top of the charts, their live shows continue to keep the band going strong.
travelin' band
Sawyer Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was rock 'n roll in a country song
There were five of us thinking that we can
This is the life and times of a traveling band
Hollywood had a funny face
So we took our chances and we got away
Back to Nashville, Tennessee
Hobie, Bobby, Jim and Joe and me
No the west coast life
Didn't fit just right
You could see us on the television
It ain't easy bein' all that grand
So we put on our blue jeans and our t-shirts
And made off with our guitars in the van
And took our place
Out on the stage
In a travelin' band
We heard our song on the radio
Along with the "Gambler" we hit the road
All across the USA
We were gypsies on parade
We were all about three chords and the truth
We wrote our songs on the bus, in the booth
Some go fast like "Some Girls Do"
Some go slow like "Used to Blue"
When the lights went down
We could hear the crowd
We headlined our first show in Salt Lake City
We still make a stop there now and then
They've got all our faces on their t-shirts
You should have seen our hairdos way back when
We took our place
On the stage
In a travelin' band
Fame and fortune don't mean much
Without someone to hold and someone to touch
Some wives left, some stayed on
So who do you love when the beat goes on
Now we're 27 years and a million miles
Shifting gears and changing styles
We said goodbye to old DC
Now it's Hobie, Shayne and Jim, the Joes and me
And when "The Race is On"
They all sing along
Now I'd like to take this time to thank you
Though it's been a long and winding road
I count my blessings when I see those faces
And I look down at this guitar in my hand
And I take my place
On the stage
In a travelin' band
I'm in a travelin' band
The song Travelin' Band by Sawyer Brown tells the story of a group of five musicians who left the west coast life for their hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. These five musicians believed in the power of rock ‘n’ roll and that they could make a career out of performing. They had the opportunity to make it big in Hollywood, but they decided to return to Tennessee where they could perform their own unique blend of rock and country music. The chorus of the song emphasizes their defiance of conventions in order to pursue music on their own terms. They were out to create nostalgia with their three chords and the truth, lyrics inspired by their own experiences, in order to win over their audience. Throughout their journey, the group faced the challenges that come with life on the road, but they never lost sight of why they entered the game in the first place and that was to create a successful traveling band.
Line by Line Meaning
They were searchin' for stars when we came along
We encountered people who were seeking fame and success before we joined the music industry.
It was rock 'n roll in a country song
Our music was a blend of rock 'n' roll and country music.
There were five of us thinking that we can
We were a group of five people who believed that they could succeed in the music world.
This is the life and times of a traveling band
The song describes the experiences of a group of musicians who toured from one place to another.
Hollywood had a funny face
Hollywood was not the ideal place for us to thrive and succeed.
So we took our chances and we got away
We decided to take a risk and leave the West Coast and move back to Nashville, Tennessee.
Back to Nashville, Tennessee
We returned to our home base in Nashville, Tennessee.
Hobie, Bobby, Jim and Joe and me
These are the names of the members of Sawyer Brown.
No the west coast life
The West Coast life was not suited to our style of music.
Didn't fit just right
The West Coast life did not suit our needs.
You could see us on the television
Our music and performances were broadcasted on television.
It ain't easy bein' all that grand
The life of a musician seems glamorous, but it's challenging to handle fame and success.
So we put on our blue jeans and our t-shirts
Our wardrobe choices involved wearing casual clothes such as blue jeans and t-shirts.
And made off with our guitars in the van
We carried our guitars in a van when we traveled from one venue to another.
And took our place
We assumed our positions on stage.
Out on the stage
We would perform in front of the audience on stage.
In a travelin' band
We were a group of musicians who traveled from one place to another to perform.
We heard our song on the radio
Our music was played on the radio, and we became popular.
Along with the "Gambler" we hit the road
It was one of our popular songs which we used to perform while touring.
All across the USA
We performed in many cities across the United States.
We were gypsies on parade
Touring extensively, we were like wanderers who entertained people.
We were all about three chords and the truth
Our music was simple, and we would write songs based on our lived experiences.
We wrote our songs on the bus, in the booth
We crafted our songs in a moving bus or at a recording booth.
Some go fast like "Some Girls Do"
The tempo of some of our songs such as "Some Girls Do" was fast-paced.
Some go slow like "Used to Blue"
The tempo of some of our songs like "Used to Blue" was slow-paced.
When the lights went down
The audience got dark, and the focus shifted to our music.
We could hear the crowd
The cheers and applause of the audience were audible to us.
We headlined our first show in Salt Lake City
We were the main attraction in our first performance in Salt Lake City.
We still make a stop there now and then
We still visit Salt Lake City occasionally to perform.
They've got all our faces on their t-shirts
Our fans in Salt Lake City have designed t-shirts bearing our portraits or images.
You should have seen our hairdos way back when
Our hairstyles from previous years were unique and different from our current ones.
Fame and fortune don't mean much
The wealth and popularity we attained did not hold much significance without companionship and love.
Without someone to hold and someone to touch
If one has no significant other, family, or friends, fame and wealth lose their value.
Some wives left, some stayed on
The band members had different experiences in their romantic relationships, with some of their wives leaving them and others staying alongside them.
So who do you love when the beat goes on
When fame and popularity fade away, one has to find the meaning and the joy of life.
Now we're 27 years and a million miles
The band had been in the music industry for 27 years and traveled millions of miles for performances.
Shifting gears and changing styles
Musically, we varied our styles to cater to different audiences.
We said goodbye to old DC
The band left its previous record label, DC Records.
Now it's Hobie, Shayne and Jim, the Joes and me
These are the current members of Sawyer Brown.
And when "The Race is On"
Our song, "The Race is On," was one of our popular tracks.
They all sing along
The fans would sing along when we would perform this particular song.
Now I'd like to take this time to thank you
We would like to express our gratitude to our fans.
Though it's been a long and winding road
A metaphorical description of the band's long journey in the music industry.
I count my blessings when I see those faces
We are grateful and feel blessed when we see our fans.
And I look down at this guitar in my hand
The band members cherish and acknowledge the role their musical instruments played in their success.
And I take my place
We take our position as performers.
On the stage
We would perform on stage.
In a travelin' band
Our band was always on the move, traveling to various locations to perform.
I'm in a travelin' band
The singer confirms that he is part of a group of musicians who are always on the move, touring, and performing.
Contributed by Owen W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.