Turnpike Troubadours performing on-stage at the
Knoxville Civic Coliseum in
Knoxville, Tennessee in November 2023.
Left to right: Early, Engleman, Pearson (behind drum kit), Edwards, Felker and Nix.
The Turnpike Troubadours are an American
country music band from
Tahlequah, Oklahoma founded in 2005.[1] They started their own imprint, Bossier City Records, in 2007 and have released six studio albums. Their self-titled 2015 album peaked at number 17 on the
Billboard 200.
Career
The band was formed in 2005 by
Evan Felker and R.C. Edwards. Their debut album, Bossier City, was recorded a month after the formation of the band, in order to have a recording to sell at live shows. Felker later said the musical arrangements were "not a good representation" of what the band later became.[2]
Their sophomore album, Diamonds & Gasoline, followed in 2010.[3]
The songs "Easton and Main" and "Bossier City" were re-recorded for their 2015 self-titled album.[2]
Following a string of poor performances in late 2018, stemming from Felker's insobriety, the band was forced to cancel 12 shows slated to be held in the weeks to follow, returning on November 30th to play at
ACL Live.[4][5] Felker's personal battles continued the following year, spurring the band to cancel all remaining tour dates. It left the band's future undecided but noting a possible return to the stage once "everyone is of strong mind, body and spirit and can deliver what our fans deserve."[6][7]
In November 2021, the band's Instagram was cleaned of all previous posts and their website displayed only the band's logo and a message that read "Coming Soon".[8] In January 2022, the band announced their long-awaited reunion and return to live performances, holding their first shows on April 8–9, 2022 at
Cain's Ballroom.[9][10] One month later, another two-night run of shows were held May 14–15 at
Red Rocks Amphitheatre.[11]
On August 25, 2023 the band released their album A Cat in the Rain after releasing three earlier singles: "Mean Old Sun," "Chipping Mill," and "Brought Me."[12]