Old Crow Medicine Show

Old Crow Medicine Show (OCMS) have come full circle playing their own brand of American roots music with a rock and roll attitude. The quintet met in New York in 1998 and hit the road, traveling city to city in a van and busking in the streets. They eventually settled for a year in North Carolina, where they ran into a bit of good fortune while playing in front of a local pharmacy to an impressed Doc Watson; the folk icon promptly scheduled the band to play at his MerleFest.

Soon after, OCMS relocated to Nashville and found themselves gracing the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, opening for Dolly Parton, touring with Merle Haggard and regularly appearing on NPR's A Prairie Home Companion. They caught the attention of Nettwerk Records in 2003 and signed on to release their debut album O.C.M.S, which they recorded at RCA's legendary Studio B and Woodland Sound Studio with producer/guitarist David Rawlings (Gillian Welch, Robyn Hitchcock) at the helm. O.C.M.S was released in 2004 to critical acclaim; the New Yorker said of the album, "Heartbreaking, plunky ballads and unfastened fiddle tunes charged with youthful vigor," while the Village Voice predicted, "Fame will soon lift her skirt for the band."

Their sophomore album, Big Iron World, was released in August 2006 and combined traditional American standards (including Woody Guthrie's "Union Maid") with OCMS originals that blended American roots, folk, blues, gospel, bluegrass and a little bit of gritty rock. Again produced by Rawlings, the album caught the attention of critics from Billboard to Vanity Fair and the first single, a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Down Home Girl," quickly became the #2 most added song at Triple A radio. Combined, the two albums have gone on to sell over 300,000 units.

Today, OCMS prepare to release their third Netterk album called TENNESSEE PUSHER in September '08, this time teaming up with legendary producer Don Was (Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones). The album was recorded earlier this year at the famed A&M Studios (now called Henson Sound Studios) and is made up of 13 infectious tracks, 12 of which are Old Crow originals and one American standard called "Always Lift Him Up" by Blind Alfred Reed.

OCMS can attribute much of their success to their relentless touring schedule. Between headlining shows and countless festivals (Bonnaroo, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, New Orleans Jazz Festival, etc), the band is constantly on the road and thrives off of their fans and live shows. They have made a name for themselves as energetic performers with an unbridled spirit.

Photo By: Crackerfarm