Bonepony is an American rock band based in Nashville, Tennessee, formed in 1989 by Scott Johnson and Bryan Ward, along with original members Conrad St. Clair and Scott Beyer. They have released four studio albums,[1] and have been described as mixing rock music with country, bluegrass, and rockabilly.[2] The band has also been noted for its members' mastery of many different stringed and percussion instruments, which they often trade among each other during live performances.[2]
Bonepony | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Baltimore, Maryland, US |
| Genres | Rock, country, bluegrass, Rockabilly |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | Capitol, Super Duper Recordings |
| Members | Scott Johnson, Nicolas "Nick" Nguyen, Kenny Wright |
| Past members | See: Former band members |
| Website | Bonepony.com |
History
editAfter the first year of touring the club circuit as far west as Texas, original drummer, Scott Beyer was let go and replaced by Eric X in early 1991.
In the summer of 1991, Johnson, Ward, and bassist St. Clair started working with Greg Kane at MCA Music in Nashville and collaborating with the staff writers. Johnson and Ward moved to Nashville permanently that fall, and although St. Clair was in Nashville constantly, he officially still lived in the Washington, DC area. Eric X was not involved in the Nashville writing sessions, but he continued performing with the band.
For the rest of 1991 and early 1992, they continued to do short tours throughout the east coast and central Midwest. The writing sessions in Nashville also continued, and at a certain point, Johnson and Ward started working on the side with the producer Kenny Mims, unbeknownst to St. Clair or the group's manager at the time, Tabby Crabb.
Drumner Eric X and original bassist Conrad St. Clair left the project in early 1992, at which point Johnson and Ward split from MCA and manager Tabby Crabb to work with Kenny Mims, who became a full-time member.[1]
During much of its time thereafter, the band has not employed a full-time drummer or bassist, and the members often maintain rhythm by stomping via specially-equipped shoes or wooden boards.[2]
They signed with Capitol Records in 1994 and released the album Stomp Revival the following year.[3] During this period the band opened for Bob Seger and Santana. Mims then left the band and was replaced by the multi-instrumentalist known as Tramp (Mike Lawing). Sales were extremely disappointing, so Capitol then dropped the band[1] and they released their second album, Traveler's Companion, in 1999 via their own label Super Duper Recordings.[4]
Founding member Bryan Ward left the band in 1999 and was replaced by another multi-instrumentalist, Nicolas "Nick" Nguyen. The band toured the United States extensively during this period.[5] The live album Fun House was released in 2001.[6] The band received additional attention in 2002 when their song "Mountainside" was used in a regional advertising campaign for Dodge trucks.[7]
The album Jubilee, featuring several guest musicians, was released in 2003.[8] Tramp retired from the band in 2004 and was replaced by Kenny Wright. Their final album Feeling It was released in 2006.[9] The band continues to tour extensively into the 2020s, typically playing up to 200 shows per year.
Band members
editCurrent
- Scott Johnson - vocals, guitar, harmonica, percussion, bass pedals, drums
- Nicolas "Nick" Nguyen - guitar, banjo, mandolin, Dobro, violin, viola, bass pedals, keyboards, vocals
- Kenny Wright - drums & percussion, guitar, mandolin, mandola, dulcimer, stomp board, vocals
Former
- Bryan Ward - acoustic guitar
- Kenny Mims - Dobro, dulcimer, mandolin, mandola
- Jason Dunaway - bass guitar
- Mickey Grimm - drums, percussion
- Mike "Tramp" Lawing - fiddle, banjo, mandolin
- Scott Beyer - drums
- Conrad St. Clair - bass guitar, vocals
- Eric X - drums
Discography
edit- Stomp Revival (1995)
- Traveler's Companion (1999)
- Fun House (live, 2001)
- Rare Cuts: Volume 1 (compilation, 2002)
- Jubilee (2003)
- Feeling It (2006)
- Celebration Highway (live, 2007)
- Stomp Box (compilation, 2009)
References
edit- ^ a b c Ruhlmann, William. "Bonepony Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
- ^ a b c "Bonepony". www.earcandymag.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
- ^ Bonepony - Stomp Revival Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2023-05-11
- ^ Bonepony - Traveler's Companion Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2023-05-11
- ^ "Bonin' it up with Bonepony - Flash - Sidelines - Middle Tennessee State University". Media.www.mtsusidelines.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
- ^ Bonepony - Fun House Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2023-05-11
- ^ Maddox, David. "Music Notes | Stories". Nashville Scene. Archived from the original on 2012-09-19. Retrieved 2011-06-01.
- ^ Bonepony - Jubilee Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2023-05-11
- ^ Bonepony - Feeling It Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2023-05-11