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Whiskeytown

From Alfawiki
Whiskeytown
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1994 in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
FounderRyan Adams
Defunct2000
Headquarters
Raleigh
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, EPs, singles

Whiskeytown was an American band rooted in the alternative country genre, formed in 1994 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Led by Ryan Adams, the group also featured Caitlin Cary, Phil Wandscher, Eric "Skillet" Gilmore, and Mike Daly. The band dissolved in 2000 as Adams embarked on a solo path. While Whiskeytown’s foundation was alternative country, their musical style evolved to incorporate broader influences.

Over their career, the band produced three albums, with Adams and Cary remaining the sole consistent participants throughout.

History

Following his punk rock tenure with The Patty Duke Syndrome, Adams created Whiskeytown in 1994, drawing inspiration from country-rock pioneer Gram Parsons. The initial ensemble included Adams, violinist Caitlin Cary, drummer Eric "Skillet" Gilmore, bassist Steve Grothmann, and guitarist Phil Wandscher.

Faithless Street period (1995–1996)

Released in 1995 on Mood Food Records, Faithless Street positioned Whiskeytown as a leading act within their genre, garnering critical praise and leading to a major-label contract with Geffen’s Outpost imprint.

In 1998, the album was reissued with nearly twelve additional tracks from that timeframe. These bonus tracks comprised previously unreleased songs alongside material from earlier releases such as Strangers Almanac and Rural Free Delivery. The song "Oklahoma" was excluded following Adams’ objections and concerns over the quality of the original recording.

Strangers Almanac period (1997–1998)

Whiskeytown’s first major-label album, Strangers Almanac, arrived in 1997 and solidified Adams’ status as a songwriter. During its production, both Gilmore and Grothmann departed, with Wandscher leaving after the album’s release. The lineup saw replacements including Jeff Rice and Steven Terry—both contributors to Almanac who exited later that same year.

Despite internal instability, Almanac achieved critical acclaim. Songs such as "16 Days" and "Yesterday's News" received substantial airplay. Prominent publications like Rolling Stone lauded the album, even suggesting Whiskeytown might become the Nirvana of alternative country. In January 1998, the band performed live for an episode of Austin City Limits.

During the subsequent tour for Strangers Almanac, most members either resigned or were dismissed during a show in Kansas City; only Adams, Caitlin Cary, Mike Daly, and tour manager Thomas O'Keefe saw the tour through to completion.

Pneumonia and the band's conclusion (1999–2001)

Multi-instrumentalist Mike Daly became integral to Whiskeytown’s sound, playing a pivotal role in crafting their third album, Pneumonia. This record signified a transition from pure country influences toward a polished pop sound with country roots reminiscent of Wilco’s 1999 release Summerteeth. Notable guest musicians included The Replacements’ Tommy Stinson and The Smashing Pumpkins’ James Iha.

Although finished and supported by a dedicated following, the album’s release was delayed for nearly two years due to Outpost Records shutting down amid the Polygram-Universal merger, which effectively ended Whiskeytown’s activity.

Eventually, Universal’s roots-oriented label Lost Highway Records signed Adams—who had already recorded his solo debut Heartbreaker on independent Bloodshot Records—and issued Pneumonia in May 2001.

Activities Following Whiskeytown's End and Reunion Discussions

Following the breakup of the group, the principal members continued their involvement in the music industry. Caitlin Cary, who wed original drummer Eric "Skillet" Gilmore, went on to release three solo records and established the female folk ensemble Tres Chicas. In 2010, she partnered with Matt Douglas from The Proclivities to form the duo The Small Ponds. By 2013, Cary co-initiated the NC Music Love Army alongside Jon Lindsay—a coalition opposing the Republican supermajority in North Carolina—issuing nine projects through Love Army Records, Redeye Distribution, and Bloodshot Records.

Ryan Adams sustained a prominent solo career after the band's split, launching several albums, including three in 2005 alone. In 2004, he assembled the alternative rock group Ryan Adams and The Cardinals, which produced multiple albums before dissolving in 2009. Adams has received praise for his songwriting from notable artists such as Elton John and Phil Lesh. Notably, in 2001, original Whiskeytown guitarist Phil Wandscher joined Adams on stage for their first performance together in over three years.

Though Adams and Cary have announced Whiskeytown reunions on various occasions—with the latest in 2010—no new studio recordings have been produced. In January 2017, Adams disclosed intentions to author a book about the band but clarified there were no plans for recording or touring. Conflicting schedules have been cited as primary reasons for reunion postponements. The band did briefly come together for an unplanned performance in Raleigh in 2005 featuring Gilmore, Cary, Adams, pedal steel guitarist Jon Graboff, and bassist Catherine Popper.

Original lineup

Subsequent members

  • Ed Crawford – guitar
  • Ron Bartholomew – bass guitar
  • Steven Terry – drums, percussion
  • Brad Rice – electric guitar
  • Mike Daly – bass guitar, keyboards, guitar, mandolin, vocals
  • Jeff Rice – bass guitar
  • Jenni Snyder – bass guitar
  • Chris Laney – bass guitar
  • Bill Ladd – pedal steel guitar; studio session musician featured on Theme for a Trucker and Wim Wenders' film The End of Violence
  • Mike Santoro – bass; former member of Northern New Jersey band "The Selves"
  • Chris Riser – lap steel guitar, pedal steel guitar (1994–95); also associated with Chapel Hill's Pine State
  • Nicholas Petti – pedal steel guitar (1995–96); also part of Chapel Hill's Pine State
  • Jon Wurster – drums
  • James Iha – guitar

Albums

Studio releases

Unissued recordings

EPs

Singles

Compilations

External links

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