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
Jennifer Thomas’ New Masterpiece – “The Fire Within”
There are two things that this author always finds to be consistent about the music videos that piano virtuoso, Jennifer Thomas, releases and that is her videos always have an amazing story to tell, and that story is told through her music in a masterful way. This is...
Monica Scott’s New Arrangement Reminds Us That Children are Like Little Stars and Every Star is Different
Henry "Henny" Youngman, an English-born American comedian and violinist famous for his mastery of the "one-liner,” quipped, “What is a home without children? Quiet.” And, Austin O'Malley, M.D., an ophthalmologist and a professor of English literature at University of...
Jordan James and Friends Deliver Powerful Message about Suicide Prevention with the Song “U Matter”
Jordan James Pinkston (professionally known as Jordan James), an 18-year-old member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes incorrectly referred to as the Mormon Church), is a rising music artist who is making a name for himself. This Acoustic,...
Music in the Key of Life – Mary Hiett Shares Her Song for Breast Cancer Awareness, “Journey of a Pink Heart”
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to www.breastcancer.org, approximately 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. “Cancer,” a word that is all too familiar to many people, including this...
Music in the Key of Life – GENTRI Surprises Seriously Ill Girl at Home and Sings a Special Song
The word “minister,” when used as a verb, is defined as tending to, taking care of, looking after, or attending to the needs of another person. The scriptures teach us that we are to “lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (Hebrews 12:12). Scriptures...
Music in the Key of Life – “Notes from the Heart”
In this edition of Music in the Key of Life, Mary Hiett shares the backstory to her album, Notes from the Heart. This was a fun album for me to create. Notes from the Heart is an album that is comprised of beautiful, positive music. I could not have achieved the...