Having formed only in 2013, the American “super group”, Hard Working Americans deliver, giving fans exactly what is expected from such a band.
Made up of Todd Snider (frontman/vocals); Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools (bass), Neal Casal of Chris Robinson Brotherhood (guitar/vocals), Chad Staehly of Great American Taxi (keys) and Duane Trucks of Col. Bruce & The Quark Alliance (drums). Touring with them is Jesse Aycock (lap steel/guitar).
Hard Working Americans Live at Iron City Grill with Special Guest Turbo Fruits
The Southland Music Line continues its travels. This time to Birmingham, AL to see Hard Working Americans. Stephen Anderson, Johnny Cole, Robby Amonett and Bobby Rayborn (a true expert of Americana and American Roots music) made the trip on 7.29.14
From Left: Dave Schools (Widespread Panic), Duane Trucks (Col. Bruce & The Quark Alliance), Todd Snider, Neal Casal (Chris Robinson Brotherhood), Chad Staehly (Great American Taxi) and Jesse Aycock (Photo by Stephen Anderson)
Although each band member has his own remarkable story, Todd Snider, alone, can provide an abundance. The “Line” has several personal anecdotes of time spent with Snider or at one of his shows, and it is our hope that each member can be featured at a later date. One thing for sure, Todd along with Dave, Neal, Chad, Duane and Jesse, were bona fide at Iron City in Birmingham, AL and the fans were loving every second of it.
Todd Snider performing with Hard Working Americans at Iron City Grill in Birmingham, AL (Photo by Stephen Anderson)
For anyone who loves music, what took place at Iron City was surely a bounty for their senses. This venue is correctly designed for the music viewing experience with no class distinction….so naturally when Hard Working Americans arrived on stage, the place erupted and was ready for one crazy evening of music.
The debut album- “Hard Working Americans” (Produced by Snider and Schools) is made up 11 incredible songs written by other people. *recorded at Bob Weir’s TRI Studios and was released on January 21st of this year.
See Entire Photo Collection (at link further down)
Hard Working Americans Live at Iron City Grill in Birmingham, AL (Photo by Stephen Anderson)
Hard Working American’s Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) and Neal Casal (Chris Robinson Brotherhood) Live at Iron City. (Photo by Stephen Anderson)
Their choice of songs to cover was from a who’s-who list of the great American songwriters. Fittingly, each track tells a story about hard working American day-to-dayers who give it their all.
One of our favorites, Will Kimbrough, has two of his songs covered (I Don’t Have a Gun” w/ Tommy Womack and “Another Train”); Randy Newman’s “Mr. President Have Pity on the Working Man” shows up next to Hayles Carll’s “Stomp and Holler”; “Wrecking Ball” by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch; The Bottle Rockets’ “Welfare Music” (co-written by ‘Rockets’ frontman, Brian Henneman), also show up.
Hard Working Americans (Photo by Stephen Anderson)
As great as the album is, there’s no denying how Hard Working Americans take it to the next level when performing live. Todd Snider works the stage, reminding us of other accomplished frontmen. At times, I sensed Peter Wolf (formerly of the J. Geils Band) while another thought was that Snider’s stage presence is comparable to Grayson Capps (“The Stumpknockers”, The Lost Cause Minstrels” and “Willie Sugarcapps” fame). Both opinions stand, because like those guys, Snider is only doing what he does so well.
Hard Working American’s Todd Snider on Tues. July 29th, 2014 in Birmingham, AL (Photo by Stephen Anderson)
It most certainly was one of this year’s best shows and that is saying a lot because “The Line” has seen its share of awesome performances (ie. The Lone Bellow, Larkin Poe, Dave Rawlings Machine, Dave & Phil Alvin with The Guilty Ones to name a few.)
We at the Southland Music Line definitely encourage you to try to be in attendance at one of the remaining Hard Working American shows. If not, at least get a copy of their album!
The venue sign at Iron City Grill advertising the Hard Working Americans show on July 29th, 2014 (Photo by Stephen Anderson)
Album’s list of songs:
1. “Blackland Farmer” (Frankie Miller)
2. “Another Train” (Will Kimbrough)
3. “Down to the Well” (Kevin Gordon / Colin Linden)
4. “The Mountain Song” (Chad Jeffers / Kieran Kane / Sean Locke)
5. “Stomp and Holler” (Hayes Carll)
6. “Straight to Hell” (Kevn Kinney)
7. “Welfare Music” (Brian Henneman / S. Taylor)
8. “Mr. President Have Pity on the Working Man” (Randy Newman)
9. “Run a Mile” (Don Herron / Chuck Mead)
10. “I Don’t Have a Gun” (Will Kimbrough / Tommy Womack)
11. “Wrecking Ball” (David Rawlings / Gillian Welch)
* The album features help on some of the tracks by Blues Traveler – John Popper on harmonica and Athens, Georgia’s John Keane on banjo, guitar and vocals.
Hard Working Americans Summer Tour Poster
Hard Working Americans Official Website
Hard Working Americans Facebook
To Purchase Their Music
iTunes
Amazon
See Links Above To Purchase the latest album from Hard Working Americans
TURBO FRUITS
Nashville’s Turbo Fruits opened the show with some lively rock tunes and an energetic performance. Formed by “Be Your Own Pet” guitarist Jonas Stein. I first heard of them at SXSW in Austin, TX, but they have also toured and opened for such bands as Surfer Blood, Dinosaur, Jr. , Deer Tick and Band of Skulls. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing them again and to see what’s coming up next for these guys.
Turbo Fruits opening for Hard Working Americans at Iron City Grill in Birmingham, AL 7.29.14 (Photo by Stephen Anderson)
Studio Albums:
Turbo Fruits (2007)
Echo Kid (2009)
Butter (2012)
Turbo Fruits Official Website
Turbo Fruits Facebook
To Purchase Their Music
iTunes
Amazon
Todd Snider performing with Hard Working Americans at Iron City (Photo by The Southland Music Line)
Following a night of music, The Southland Music Line visited one of Robby Amonett’s favorite Birmingham late night eateries, “Al’s Deli & Grill”. (Photo by Stephen Anderson)
****PHOTO COLLECTION****
Click Here for additional photos of our trip to Birmingham, AL to see Hard Working Americans.
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- Same Night, Same Stage: Rosco Bandana & Kaboom Take On The Big Easy
- The Lone Bellow Comes to T-Bones Records in Hattiesburg, MS
- From Muscle Shoals to Magnolia Springs, AL: Willie Sugarcapps Gives Us A Sample of Whats to Come
- “The Line” Travels to Atlanta to Meet Larkin Poe
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Assisting with editing on this article: Patsy Cheek (Texas Contributor) and Sandra Cole, NBCT, Med
© The Southland Music Line. 2014. All rights reserved
Great article…you really are giving music lovers a good read. Keep up the good work.