Sawyer Brown at Faster Horses: A High-Octane Celebration of Four Decades

By on September 3, 2024

As the sun dipped below the Michigan horizon, Sawyer Brown took to the Faster Horses stage, marking their 40th anniversary with a performance that was both a nostalgic journey and a testament to their enduring appeal. The festival, nearing a sell-out, buzzed with anticipation, and Sawyer Brown did not disappoint.

File Photo: Sawyer Brown performs at the Faster Horses Festival in Brooklyn, Michigan, 2024. (Copyright 2024 Larry Philpot / SoundstagePhotography.com)

The band, founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, has been a staple in the country music scene with hits like “Step That Step,” “Some Girls Do,” and “Thank God for You” resonating through the years. Their frontman, Mark Miller, leads with an infectious energy that belies the band’s years, his voice as commanding as it was in their early days on Star Search.

File Photo: Sawyer Brown performs at the Faster Horses Festival in Brooklyn, Michigan, 2024. (Copyright 2024 Larry Philpot / SoundstagePhotography.com)

Gregg “Hobie” Hubbard, on keyboards and vocals, brings a depth of harmony and warmth to the band’s sound. Joe “Curly” Smyth, a master of rhythm on the drums, and Jim Scholten, with his steady bass, form the backbone of a group that has seen country evolve but never lost its core. Shayne Hill, their lead guitarist, adds the sizzle to their signature sound, which has earned them accolades and a dedicated fan base.

File Photo: Sawyer Brown performs at the Faster Horses Festival in Brooklyn, Michigan, 2024. (Copyright 2024 Larry Philpot / SoundstagePhotography.com)

Their setlist was a hit parade, with “Thank God for You” and “Step That Step” igniting the crowd into a singing, swaying mass. The energy was palpable, the connection with the audience undeniable. It was a celebration fitting for a band that has not only scored three No. 1 singles but also influenced the genre with their dynamic performances.

File Photo: Sawyer Brown performs at the Faster Horses Festival in Brooklyn, Michigan, 2024. (Copyright 2024 Larry Philpot / SoundstagePhotography.com)

The festival’s headliners, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, and Hardy, brought their own flair, but it was Sawyer Brown’s Saturday performance that captured the essence of Faster Horses—music, community, and the sheer joy of live performance.

File Photo: Sawyer Brown performs at the Faster Horses Festival in Brooklyn, Michigan, 2024. (Copyright 2024 Larry Philpot / SoundstagePhotography.com)

As the night’s heat lingered, so did the echoes of their music, a reminder that Sawyer Brown is not just a band but a legacy, one that continues to write its story with every show, every note, and every fan who sings along. Here’s to forty years, and many more.

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