Nearly every country fan has a favorite country singer. However, some don’t spare a thought for the band that lays down the sonic backdrop for the singer. Without a good backing band, even the best frontmen in country music would fall flat.
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Today, we will look at some of the best backing bands in country music history. The list contains bands that were incredibly influential in the genre, the musicians behind some of the country’s biggest stars, and more.
1. The Texas Playboys
Bob Wills was the King of Western Swing. However, the fiddle-playing bandleader wouldn’t have made the mark on country music that he did without forming one of the best backing bands in history. More than making music that would go on to inspire the likes of Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, George Strait, and many others, the band pushed boundaries.
The Texas Playboys were the first country band to add a horn section and drums to country music. Additionally, he brought steel guitar to the forefront of the band’s sound. This helped solidify the steel guitar as a cornerstone of the country sound.
2. The Ace in the Hole Band
Some would argue that the Ace in the Hole Band is the best backing band in country music history. After all, they play behind George Strait, the King of Country Music. Interestingly, Strait didn’t put the band together.
The band, originally called Stoney Ridge, started on the campus of Texas State University in 1975. After their singer graduated, they went on the hunt for a replacement. That’s when they found an agricultural science major named George Strait. He auditioned and joined Stoney Ridge as their new singer. Not long after he joined, they became Ace in the Hole. When Strait went solo, the band followed. However, unlike some other backing bands, Ace in the Hole has released music without their famous frontman.
3. The Hot Band
Emmylou Harris found early success as Gram Parsons’ duet partner. However, after Parsons died in 1973, she had to find a way to record a solo album. Her label told her to “get a hot band,” which she did.
Formed in 1975, The Hot Band featured Rodney Crowell as well as James Burton and Glen Hardin who were members of Elvis Presley’s TCB Band. The band saw many lineup changes before disbanding in the ‘90s. Over the years, it included the likes of Ricky Skaggs, Albert Lee, Tony Brown, Mickey Raphael, and many more.
4, The Strangers
Merle Haggard is a country music icon. However, he wouldn’t have sounded quite as good as he did without The Strangers. Haggard formed the band in 1966 and named them after his first hit, “(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers.” More than just one of the best backing bands in country music, they also released several albums without Haggard. Members of the band also helped to produce some of Haggard’s hit records including “Okie from Muskogee.”
5, The Stragglers
The Stragglers are more modern and less famous than the rest of the bands on this list. However, history will likely find them listed among the best backing bands in country music. Formed in 1998 with singer/songwriter Jason Boland at the front, Jason Boland and the Stragglers are one of the most successful acts in Red Dirt/Texas country.
Jason Boland and the Stragglers celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2024 and remain active, planning new music in the coming year.
Featured Image by Rick Kern/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
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