Sawyer Brown is Back, With New Album, Documentary, Memoir

If you're as big of a fan of 1990's Country music as I am, you no doubt remember the name Sawyer Brown. With songs like "Some Girls Do," "Step That Step," "The Race Is On," "Six Days On the Road" and "Thank God For You," Sawyer Brown carved their name in the Country music history books.

Earlier this week, Sawyer Brown lead singer Mark Miller spent a few minutes on the phone with Don Chase and Sarah from The BIG 957 WKML's Big Wake Up Show.

Mark was calling in to promote a number of things including the 40th of anniversary of Sawyer Brown's self-titled debut release, the group's brand new album, a new documentary and a new memoir.

It seems like it was yesterday, but it was actually 1983 when Sawyer Brown took home the winning trophy on tv's "Star Search." After that, the band hit the road playing 250 to 300 shows a year. Trust me when I say, no Country group has ever worked harder than Sawyer Brown.  Turn back the hands of time and check out Sawyer Brown on Star Search.

Speaking of the tv show "Star Search," did you know that it also launched the careers of Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Britney Spears and more?

In looking back, Mark Miller says that after being turned down by almost every record label in Nashville, Sawyer Brown auditioned for "Star Search" and as they say, the rest is history.

To date, Sawyer Brown has performed more than 6,000 shows, released 24 albums, has had 51 charted singles to date, has released 36 videos and has received 11 industry awards from the Country Music Association, Country Music Television and the Academy of Country.

Also, Sawyer Brown has shared the stage with legendary artists like Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Ray Charles, The Beach Boys, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and KC & the Sunshine Band just to name a few.

Sawyer Brown's new album is "Desperado Troubadours" and is on sale now. Order your copy at www.SawyerBrown.com. Mark says a few of his favorite songs on the album are "Under This Old Hat," "Get Me To the Stage On Time" and "Nashville Cat."  You can watch the video for "Under This Old Hat" here.

In a surprise revelation, Mark said that his friend and fellow Country/tv star Blake Shelton produced the band's new album "Desperado Troubadours."

Sawyer Brown is also excited to share the news of their new documentary "Get Me To the Stage On Time." The documentary does not have a release date yet. You can however, watch the trailer for "Get Me To The Stage On Time. Just click here.

As part of the celebration for Sawyer Brown's 40th anniversary of their self-titled album, Mark Miller has a new tell-all book, "The Boys And Me: My Life In The Country Music Supergroup Sawyer Brown." The foreword was written by Mark's good friend and Pro Football Hall Of Famer Kurt Warner. Pick up your copy at www.SawyerBrown.com.

Mark, from The BIG 957's Don Chase & Sarah, thank you very much for spending time with us. Congrats on your 40th anniversary, on your new album, new documentary and book. We hope you visit the Fayetteville, North Carolina area real soon.

You can listen to the entire interview here.

Welcome to March! It is almost officially Spring and it's time to get amped up for concert season this Summer!

On February 16, Chase Matthew released his We All Grow Up EP which has my first pick on this playlist, I Don't Carolina. If you don't know Chase, he grew up in and around Nashville, TN and currently his radio single Love You Again is officially sitting in the top 20s! I've really started to see Chase shine in the last year or so. He has popped up at a few events and shows around Nashville that I've been lucky to witness. He's a growing star by all means and this song highlights just how awesome he can be.

Up next, another newcomer of sorts, Greylan James, comes to us from Knoxville, TN. It's funny calling some of these artists newcomers when they've been established songwriters in Nashville before breaking through as artists. Greylan has catchy music with really thoughtful lyrics. He recently opened for Scotty McCreery on his Cab In A Solo tour stop in Durham earlier this year. That was the first time I met him, but let me tell you that when the production is stripped away and he plays acoustic on his guitar, his talent blows you away! Check out his song Young Man about words of wisdom.

Lastly, Kassi Ashton is a strong, powerful, loving, funny, talented and independent female powerhouse. She commands an audience like I've never seen before. I was lucky enough to catch this newly released single at the Ryman in Nashville during the Country Radio Seminar at the end of February. It's the sassy, revenge style empowerment song we love. The line in the chorus encapsulates it perfectly: "I've never been called crazy by a man who didn't come back for more."