This week’s Classic Clip comes from the wonderful BR5-49. Formed in Nashville in 1993 by Chuck Mead and Gary Bennett the band were joined by multi-instrumentalist Don Herron, upright bass player ‘Smilin’ Jay McDowell and drummer Shaw Wilson. They made a name for themselves with a very popular residency at Robert’s in Nashville and their debut release was a mini-album titled ‘Live From Robert’s’. It gained them much wider attention including this appearance on the popular Late Night with Conan O’Brien on US TV. A visit to the UK at this time included an appearance on Later with Jools Holland (in the days when you might find something interesting on his programme) as well as a tour this writer was lucky enough to catch in Manchester. Subsequent studio albums never really captured the live excitement that the band generated. The loss of co-founder Bennett and bass player McDowell in 2001 also set the band on a downward path and they released their last album in 2006. Both Gary Bennett and Chuck Mead have gone on to make solo records whilst the talented multi-instrumentalist Don Herron became a member of Bob Dylan’s touring band having clearly impressed him when BR5-49 supported his 1997 tour.
