SAWYER
BROWN
Country music's most relentless road warriors. Four decades, six thousand shows, and still playing like it's the last night of the tour.
“One of the unique things about the band is we don't really have a lot of love songs. We have life songs.” — Mark Miller
Sawyer Brown was founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by five musicians who had been playing in country singer Don King's road band. When King retired, they decided to stay together — grinding out five sets a night, six nights a week in Nashville clubs until the world took notice.
The world took notice in 1983 when they auditioned for Star Search. Week after week, the scrappy country-rock band from Nashville won over audiences across America, eventually taking home the grand prize. Nashville had told them no. America said yes. They signed with Capitol Records in 1984 and never looked back.
Known as “the Rolling Stones of Country Music,” Sawyer Brown built a reputation as one of the most electrifying live acts in any genre — touring 275–300 nights a year in their early career and never really coming off the road. Three number one hits, 51 charted singles, 24 albums, and a Grammy along the way.
Now celebrating over 40 years together, the band released their documentary Get Me To The Stage On Time — produced by Blake Shelton — and their new album Desperado Troubadours, their first record in 20 years. Still on the road. Still playing like it matters. Because it does.
40 YEARS ON THE ROAD
Band Founded in Apopka, Florida
Five members of Don King's road band stay together after King retires. They grind the Nashville club circuit, playing up to five sets a night, six nights a week.
Win Star Search Grand Prize
Years before American Idol or The Voice, Sawyer Brown wins the inaugural Star Search competition — winning $100,000 and capturing America's attention overnight.
Sign with Capitol Records
The band signs with Capitol Records and hits the road opening for Kenny Rogers in arenas across the country.
First Number One: “Step That Step”
Their debut smash hits #1 on the Billboard Country charts. The CMA names them Horizon Award winners for best new act of the year.
“Some Girls Do” Hits Number One
The band's signature anthem becomes their second #1 and one of the most recognizable country songs of the decade.
“Thank God for You” — Third #1 & ACM Win
Third and final number one single. The Academy of Country Music names them Vocal Group of the Year.
3,000th Show Milestone
On October 25, 1998, the band plays their 3,000th concert — a milestone few acts in any genre ever reach.
Shayne Hill Joins the Band
Guitarist Shayne Hill joins after a single rehearsal — “he was that good.” The current four-piece lineup is set.
Documentary Premieres at Nashville Film Festival
Get Me To The Stage On Time, directed by Madison Miller and executive produced by Blake Shelton, premieres at the Franklin Theatre. Features Dolly Parton, Dierks Bentley, and more.
Desperado Troubadours — First Album in 20 Years
Produced by Blake Shelton on Curb Records. Still on the road. Still playing like it's the last show of the tour.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Horizon Award
Best New Act · 1985
Vocal Group of the Year
1993 & 1997
Vocal Band of the Year
5 Consecutive Years
Video Group of the Year
1993
Grammy Award
Mark Miller — Production, Casting Crowns
Grand Prize Winner
Inaugural Season · 1983
3 Number One Singles
1985 · 1992 · 1993
3 Gold Albums
500,000+ Copies Each
6,000+ Shows Performed
1981 – Present
MEET THE MEMBERS
Mark Miller
Born in Ohio, raised in Florida, made in Nashville. Mark writes the songs, fronts the band, and produced every Casting Crowns album — including a Grammy winner. He wrote “Step That Step,” “Some Girls Do,” “Thank God for You,” and “The Boys and Me.”
Gregg “Hobie” Hubbard
Raised in Apopka, Florida, Hobie grew up glued to the radio. He co-wrote “The Dirt Road,” “Round Here,” and “Outskirts of Town,” and co-hosts The Boys & Me Podcast with Mark and Madison.
Joe “Curly” Smyth
A Berklee College of Music graduate with a Master's from the University of Miami, Joe has performed with the Nashville Symphony at Carnegie Hall and is a respected percussion instructor.
Shayne Hill
The “not-so-new new guy” joined in 2004 after a single rehearsal. Previously toured with Chely Wright, Avalon, and LeAnn Rimes. Also runs his own recording studio in Nashville.