Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand
Founded in the mid-1990s in Ogden, Utah, Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand is an American bluegrass group. The group members include: Ryan Shupe (fiddle, guitar, ukulele, mandolin, lead vocals), Roger Archibald (guitar, vocals), Ryan Tilby (bass guitar, string bass, banjo, vocals), Craig Miner (banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, guitar, vocals), and Nate Smeding (drums).
The group recorded four studio albums on their own independent record label before being signed to Capitol Records in 2005. The title track of their first album for Capitol called “Dream Big” produced a Top 40 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The second single from the album never made it on the charts, and as a result, Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand were dropped from the Capitol Records label. The band signed with Montage Music Group in 2008.
Traditionally, the band plays country venues and festivals all over the United States such as the Telluride Music Festival and Nashville, Tennessee. Nonetheless, their musical influence is drawn not only from bluegrass, but rock as well, leading them to be dubbed, according to Deseret News, as “a mix between Dave Matthews Band and Dixie Chicks without the political agenda.” Since their formation they have become one of the most successful musical acts from the state of Utah among other acts such as SHeDAISY, Peter Breinholt, and Neon Trees. The band has appeared on Good Morning America, E! TV, Mountain Stage, Woodsongs, GAC and CMT.
In the Fall of 2015, Ryan Shupe released a new album called “We Rode On.” According to the official website:
We Rode On” marks a striking career transition and a meaningful evolution in Shupe’s songwriting, his life, and the band’s sound. It strongly and deftly combines the rock side of their musical arsenal with the acoustic instruments and virtuosic jamming the band has become known for in their live shows.
The album focuses on themes like family, love, and maturity. The epic title track, “We Rode On” triumphantly belts out the phrase “singing songs at the top of our lungs” while the anthemic “Sun Will Shine Again” is a mantra to Shupe’s children. The catchy, rocking “If I Stay” and “Just Say Yes” deal with love interest dilemmas. “Dream Big”, a revamped version of their Billboard charting Capitol Records release, is triumphant, inspirational and powerful.
A few of the band’s upcoming tour dates include:
| Date | Venue | Location |
| November 28 | Peery’s Egyptian Theater | Ogden, Utah |
| December 4 | Covey Center for the Arts | Provo, Utah |
| December 19 | Cox Auditorium at DSU | St. George, Utah |
| January 15 | Highway Center for the Arts | Gilbert, Arizona |
| January 16 | Vail Theatre for the Arts | Tuscon, Arizona |
Follow Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand
Recent Posts
Indie Musician Stephanie Madsen Releases New Praise and Worship Album
Stephanie Madsen, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as “the Mormon Church”) and a native of Georgia, has spent time living in Idaho, Texas, and California. She left her childhood home in Peachtree City, Georgia, to attend...
The Osmond Brothers Appear on “The Talk” and Give Their Final Performance
Olive Marie Osmond (Marie), the only daughter of the late George Virl Osmond, Sr. and Olive May Osmond (nee Davis), celebrated her 60th birthday on Sunday, 13 October 2019. Her brothers are Virl, Tom, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny, and Jimmy. Her two oldest...
The Countdown to the Release of “The Best of Mary Hiett (Bar None) Just Dream”
The Story Behind the Creation of a New Masterpiece Mary Hiett has returned with a brand new project. It is actually a project that she began working on four years ago and firmly believes that now is the time to wrap it up, put a nice ribbon and bow on it, and present...
Latter-day Saint Musicians Top the Billboard Charts
The month of September 2019 has proven to be a banner month for Latter-day Saint music artists. The month has celebrated several Latter-day Saint music artists topping the Billboard charts. In a single week of the month, 15 Latter-day Saints ended up in the top 15 of...
Whither Thou Goest – The Endearing Story of Ruth and Naomi in Song
“And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” (Ruth 1:16) In the 1990s, James Dunne, the composer and...
Behind the Music – Jerald Simon’s “A Season to Be Strong”
On 4 September 2019, Jerald Simon released a music video of his original song called “A Season to Be Strong.” The song features his twin brother, Josh, singing the lead vocals. Jerald Simon was a 17-years-old young man when he originally wrote and composed “A Season...