Old 97's

The Old 97's are an "alt-country" band originally based in Dallas, Texas. The group formed in 1993 and took their name from a song popularized by Johnny Cash, "Wreck of the Old '97.

The Old 97's are an "alt-country" band originally based in Dallas, Texas. The group formed in 1993 and took their name from a song popularized by Johnny Cash, "Wreck of the Old '97." They describe themselves as a rock band with influences as varied as the Kinks, the Beatles, the Pixies, David Bowie, Johnny Cash, and Merle Haggard. The band often performs country standards made famous by the latter two musicians, and has interspersed a number of these on their half-dozen albums over the last decade. The band originally feuded with Ryan Adams of fellow alt-country band, Whiskeytown, but both are on good terms today.

Initially a popular Dallas bar band, the Old 97's toured the country after releasing their first album, 1994's Hitchhike To Rhome. In Chicago, they caught the attention of Bloodshot Records, and were signed to record their next album. 1996's Wreck Your Life, now lauded by many fans as the band's best work, brought them to the attention of Elektra Records, who hoped that alt-country could be a new post-grunge fad. Lead singer, Rhett Miller, later lived in New York City and Los Angeles. Many of the band's songs include local Texas references, with New York City often appearing as well.