Sawyer Brown

For over four decades, Sawyer Brown, an American country music band established in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, has made their mark in the industry. The band is composed of Mark Miller, Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard, Joe "Curly" Smyth, and Shayne Hill, who replaced Duncan Cameron in 2004. They were originally part of country singer Don King's road band before branching out on their own. They have a reputation for fresh, relevant songs that are both fun and challenging, as well as their energetic live shows - numbering over 3,000.

Signing with Capitol Records shortly after their grand prize win on Star Search in 1984, Sawyer Brown continued to achieve significant success, releasing 18 studio albums and charting over 50 times on the Hot Country Songs charts. They had three No. 1 singles: "Step That Step" (1985), "Some Girls Do" (1992), and "Thank God for You" (1993). Their sound, largely defined by country pop and rock music influences, has also been shaped through collaborations with artists such as Randy Scruggs, Joe Bonsall, and Mac McAnally.

Their first album under Capitol Records included the Top 20 hit single "Leona," followed by their first No. 1 hit, "Step That Step." They had several Top 10 hits throughout the 1980s, culminating in a Greatest Hits package by 1990. In 1991, they expanded their musical style to include ballads and also switched labels, moving from Capitol Records to Curb Records. This period also marked the departure of band member Bobby Randall, replaced by Duncan Cameron.

A notable aspect of Sawyer Brown's career is their consistent recognition by industry institutions. They received a Horizon Award from the Country Music Association (CMA) in 1985, were named Vocal Group of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in 1997, and received five Vocal Band of The Year Awards from the TNN Music City News Country Awards. Three of their albums have been certified gold in the United States.

Outside of band activities, Mark Miller ventured into the Christian music scene by forming the label Beach Street Records in the early 2000s. The band also paid tribute to Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Brook Berringer by writing "The Nebraska Song." Bass guitarist Jim Scholten left Sawyer Brown in August 2021, marking another significant change in their long and storied career.