Drivin' N' Cryin'

Drivin' n' Cryin' is an American Hard rock/Southern rock band from Atlanta, GA.

History

The band was formed in 1985 in the midst of the swirling Atlanta music scene. Kevn Kinney hooked up with Tim Nielsen, who was in a popular punk band with drummer Paul Lenz at the time. Kinney had just moved to Georgia from Milwaukee and was working in a sewage treatment plant by day while playing folk gigs by night. The three musicians began playing together and found an instant chemistry that led them to the success they enjoy today. The band?s name, Drivin? n? Cryin?, was chosen from one of Kevn?s many songs that reflected the two directions of their music.

Various musicians accompanied the threesome in the early years. They signed with indie label 688 Records in 1986 after becoming one of Atlanta?s top club draws. Their first album was an instant hit, reflective of Kevn?s working-class background and the band?s drive to make honest music that mattered. Their first album?s success landed them countless tour dates and later a contract with Island Records. In 1987, Lenz left the band and was replaced by Jeff Sullivan, who was recruited just in time to accompany them for their first major-label release. Sullivan had been the drummer for Mr. Crowes Garden, the band that later became The Black Crowes, prior to joining Drivin' n' Cryin'. That same year, the band held its first ?Benefit For The Hopeful,? a concert to raise money for Atlanta homeless organizations, held annually on Dec. 8, the anniversary of John Lennon?s death. Other native Georgian group R.E.M?s touring rhythm guitarist Buren Fowler joined the trio at this time as well. He was officially asked to join the band in 1988, after repeated on-stage appearances with the group.

1989 marked the release of some of the band's most memorable songs on the Mystery Road album, such as ?Honeysuckle Blue? and ?Straight To Hell.? In 1991, the more hard-rocking ?Fly Me Courageous? topped charts and was one of the 10 most-played albums on AOR radio in 1991. The next few years the band toured with artists such as Neil Young and Soul Asylum. In 1993, the band released another album produced by Geoff Workman, entitled Smoke, which debuted at number 92 on the Billboard?s Top 200 album chart. This album was another all-out rocker, marked with guitar assaults, but it failed to catch on with the public as had its predecessor.

In 1994, the band decided to move away from the heavy guitar sounds of the previous two records and brought in keyboardist Joey Huffman to replace Buren Fowler. That same year the band left Island Records and found a new home at Geffen Records. The band's first and only Geffen album, 1995's Wrapped In Sky, featured newly added keyboard sounds and a return to the band's original sound.

1997 brought along a self-titled album, the band's last full studio album to date, followed two years later by a live album, The Essential Live Drivin? n? Cryin'. In 2000, the band released The Ultimate Collection, which assembled many of their most popular hits. In 2003, the band released a four-song EP, Detroit City Rock, which featured a cover of the Beatles "Let It Be," recorded in New York City on Sept. 13, 2001. As of 2008, Drivin' n' Cryin' still play live in a variety of venues in the South and Northeastern parts of the United States. The band began recording for their upcoming album in March 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. Mastering of the album is set for June 2009. It is scheduled for release on 9/29/09. The album will be the band's first full record since 1997.

Kevn Kinney has also maintained a solo career over the years. He released his first solo album, the acoustic MacDougal Blues in 1990. This was followed by Down Out Law in 1994, and The Flower And The Knife in 2000. The latter featured guests such as Blues Traveler's John Popper, Edwin McCain, and members of Gov't Mule and the Allman Brothers Band. He has released three more solo albums since. In addition to his solo recordings, he has frequently performed solo live concerts, including live collaborations with Peter Buck of R.E.M.

Discography

Scarred But Smarter 1986
Whisper Tames The Lion 1988 U.S. #130
Mystery Road 1989
Fly Me Courageous 1990 U.S. #90
Live on Fire (EP) 1991
Smoke 1993 U.S. #95
Wrapped In Sky 1995
Drivin N Cryin 1997
Essential Live 1999
Ultimate Collection 2000
Detroit City Rock (EP) 2003
The Great American Bubble Factory 2009
Singles
Year
Title
Chart positions
Album
US Modern Rock
US Mainstream Rock
1988
"Can't Promise You the World"
-
-
The Whisper Tames the Lion
1989
"Honeysuckle Blue"
-
-
Mystery Road
1991
"Fly Me Courageous"
19
15
Fly Me Courageous
"Build a Fire"
-
15
"The Innocent"
-
31
1993
"Smoke"
-
23
Smoke
"Turn it Up or Turn It Off"
-
11