Bio (from the press kit):

Sol Driven Train’s music weaves through genres like images in a Tom Robbins paragraph. The band’s playful sonic schizophrenia absorbs songwriting influences like John Prine and Paul Simon, Afrocaribbean rhythmic explorations, and funky New Orleans-style brass into earnest songs of life, love, loss, and long johns. The versatile 6-piece band, based in Charleston, SC, features rotating lead vocalists, and multi-instrumental talent spread across horns, strings, and percussion.  Combining rich varieties of American pop and folk music into their own brass-kickin’ roots rock sound, Sol Driven Train has carved out a unique musical identity within the Jam and Americana music scene.

 

Sol Driven Train’s sound has helped shape their hometown’s musical identity for more than a decade. It’s soulful and rich like Charleston’s food, approachable like its people, rooted in history like its architecture, and as diverse as you’d expect from a city that, for instance, has a Prius-driving Democrat for a mayor in one of the country’s reddest states.  During the spring of 2000, a close circle of friends began gathering in college apartments downtown Charleston to create sound and share in the fun and cathartic joy of music. Through the course of 14 years and over 1,000 live shows, this same spirit still guides Sol Driven Train through the rocky road of the music industry. The venues have grown from bedrooms to festival stages, the amps have gotten louder, the lineup has evolved, and the crowds have multiplied, but the sense of brotherhood, mutual support, and creative independence within the band has strengthened. Along the way, the band has performed alongside their musical heroes, sharing stages with greats such as Bruce Hornsby, Levon Helm, Michael Franti, and Blues Traveller.  Through hard work and a commitment to live performance, the band’s reputation and collective musical ability has grown with every season. Named  “2011 Rock Band of the Year” “2012 Jam Band of the Year” and “2013 World/Groove/Reggae Band of the Year” by the Charleston City Paper, and “On the Verge” by Relix Magazine in January 2012, Sol Driven Train is an independent band breaking into the national spotlight. Ten independent releases including two critically-acclaimed albums for children, a live concert DVD, a live album, five full-length studio albums, and last summer’s popular “Watermelon” EP document the band’s winding musical development.  The band has been working hard in the studio in between their 2014 tour schedule.  “Dance” is an upbeat full length album scheduled for release in early 2015.

 

Awards and Honors:
​• ​#1 Album on Amazon “Roots Rock mp3” Chart 2013
​•​ # 2 album on Jambands  2013
​•​ Relix Magazine “Artist on the Verge” 2012
​•​ Charleston City Paper, “World/Groove/Reggae Band of the Year” 2013
​•​ Charleston City Paper, “Jam Band of the Year” 2012
​•​ Charleston City Paper, “ Rock Band of the Year” 2011
​•​ Charleston City Paper, “Multi-Instrumentalist of the Year” 2011 for Band member Joel Timmons
​•​ Charleston City Paper, “Multi-Instrumentalist of the Year” 2010 for band member Ward Buckheister
​•​ Home Grown Music Network Listeners Album of the Year 2011
​•​ Charleston City Paper,”Children’s Album of the Year” 2008
​•​ Sirius /XM Radio play the latest album, “Underdog” 2013
​•​ WNCW’s Top 100 Albums of 2012
​•​ Grant recipient for Red Revel Children and Arts Festival- $10,000
​•​ Lake Eden Arts Festival Streets and Schools Program 2012
​• ​ American Music Abroad Finalist 2014

 

Band members:

Joel Timmons - guitar and vocals

Matt Thompson - bass and vocals

Ross Bogan - keyboards and vocals

Russell Clarke - saxophones and vocals

Ward Buckheister - guitar, trombone, and vocals

Wes Powers – drums