BR5-49

As the influence and record sales of the "hat acts" that sprung up in the wake of Garth Brooks' success began to wane, Nashville bet the farm on this band of unlikely country music saviors. BR5-49, named after a phone number on a sketch from the television show Hee Haw, honed their combination of Western swing, hard honky-tonk and traditional country by playing for tips in a Western wear shop/nightclub in the seedy Lower Broadway neighborhood of Nashville. The group eventually caught on, and soon after there were lines around the block for its performances. It was their original songs, crisp ensemble playing and vintage country look that got them signed. They haven't had anything resembling a hit yet, but they have been nominated for a Grammy while building a large and devoted fan base.