Artists

Highway 101

From the moment they formed, Highway 101 presented a new approach to country music. The group’s blend of country roots and tradition with rock ‘n roll energy helped to catapult the country genre forward, tapping a whole new audience and paving the way for such mass appeal artists as Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and Tim McGraw.

It all began when a very talented group of musicians pooled their collective talent and experience in the areas of rock ‘n roll and country music, songwriting and performance. These experiences all figured into the group’s first recording session, which took place at Amigo Studios in Los Angeles.

Their special sound was established after recording “The Bed You Made For Me”, which prompted Warner Brothers Records to turn their singles recording contract into an album deal. By 1986, the group was in Nashville finishing up with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s producer Paul Worley on their self-titled debut. The result was Highway 101, a stunning album with a style that had never been heard before in the world of country music. The album also yielded four top five hits, including two number ones, “Somewhere Tonight” and “Cry, Cry, Cry”. As the group evolved into a country sensation, their appearances on both stage and TV increased, including a North American tour with Randy Travis and a debut television appearance at the 1987 Country Music Association awards with Hank Williams Jr. Practically overnight, Highway 101 was in demand as country’s most exciting outfit.

The group was now well in gear, traveling the U.S. and Canada providing their fans with everything from Roger Miller classics to Dire Straits hits, in addition to their own material. The group was able to present such a diverse musical act because, according to bassist Curtis Stone, there were no rules. “It didn’t matter as much what the song was, but how we made it sound. That was constant,” recalls Stone.

Their level of success was more than constant as Highway 101 continued to climb the charts with their sophomore release, Highway 101-2, which spawned four top 10 singles including the number one hit “(Do You Love Me) Just Say Yes”. 1988 provided more than hit singles as the group was recognized by their peers, receiving the nod as “Vocal Group of the Year” from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. They were also acknowledged at the Grammy Awards with a nomination for “Album of the Year” and “Single of the Year”. By this time, the group’s sound was breaking some molds in country music and this seemed almost revolutionary to many at the time. Highway 101 was the first country band to feature aggressive production fronted by a female singer.

By 1989, the group was still atop the wave of popularity with their third album titled Paint The Town, another number one single “Who’s Lonely Now”, and a repeat performance as “Vocal Group of the Year” with The Academy of Country Music and the CMA. Accolades and acknowledgments abounded in North America and abroad.

1991 found Highway 101 with a new lead singer, Nikki Nelson, but stayed true to their original musical visions. They went on to release the album Bing, Bang,Boom on Warner Brothers. The title song from this album made it to number #5, followed by “The Blame” at # 7, and “Baby I’m Missing You” top 30. This album also spawned yet one more top 40 hit, “Honky Tonk Baby”. The group was also nominated again for “Vocal Group of the Year” by both the ACM and the CMA.

Although Highway 101 has been through several different incarnations since their original conception, they have always enjoyed a great deal of success, both in records and in live performance. Drummer Cactus Moser states, “One of the reasons we have continued to be successful over the years is because we always strive to maintain the same musical integrity in our live shows as on our records. For that reason, we tend not to record things that cannot be reproduced live. Plus, we have always been an extremely entertaining group on stage.”

The critically acclaimed album The New Frontier, produced by Curtis Stone and Cactus Moser, was released in 1993 on Liberty Records. Highway 101 was again nominated for “Vocal Group of the Year” by the ACM and CMA.

In 1997, Highway 101 again mixed the new with the old. Founding members Curtis Stone and Cactus Moser combined their talents with those of Chrislynn Lee, formerly with George Jones, and veteran guitarist Charlie White, who had performed with Pam Tillis, Vern Gosdin, and Michelle Wright.

2001 found Highway 101 with a brand new album, Big Sky, in joint venture with their own label “Key Tone Records” and “FreeFalls Entertainment“. In 2002, White left the band and was replaced with young gun vocalist/instrumentalist, Justin Weaver, who has played with everyone from bluegrass heroes, Ricky Skaggs and Marty Stuart, to Andy Griggs.

Between 1997 and 1006 Highway 101 has performed hundreds of concerts from; Casinos, festivals, conventions, clubs, town celebrations and fairs, with occasional trips abroad and shows no signs of slowing down.

2006 marks the exciting return of Nikki Nelson. Cactus, Curtis and Justin have new fire and a new album in the works, Highway 101 just keeps on rollin’, coming to a town near you.

According to Highway 101, the band’s belief in the music remains their constant vision. “We still share the sincerity about the music and never pretend to be anything but what we are--- a band that loves to play!”

Website: http://www.highway101.net/

Wade Hayes