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
Nathan Schaumann’s Virtuoso Performance in Laeiszhalle, Hamburg, Germany
On Latter-day Saint Musicians, we feature talented LDS artists of all ages from different parts of the world whose music encompasses a variety of genres. As most of our “Video Find of the Week” posts have showcased the latest pop videos of several of our featured...
Maddie Wilson Shares Special Song About Her Parents’ Love
In a new music video called “Love Like Theirs,” Maddie Wilson sings about the amazing love that her parents have for one another. From the different scenes depicted, it is apparent that life may not have always been a “bed of roses” for them throughout the years, but...
David Archuleta Expresses His Inner Feelings in New Song
Mention the name David Archuleta and people the world over know exactly who he is. He became famous, when at the age of 16, he became the runner-up of season 7 of the reality television show American Idol. He returned to the show earlier in 2016 to participate in the...
Cedar Breaks Band Wins in Hollywood with “Light”
Cedar Breaks Band and Empath Media won the International Family Film Festival in Hollywood on 23 October 2016, for best Short Musical. This is the second win for the music video "Light" which has been playing in film and music festivals across the country for the past...
The Piano Guys – Indiana Jones and the Arabian Nights Collide in Petra
The Piano Guys never cease to amaze their audience with their stunning live performances and YouTube video creations. This week’s Video Find of the Week, “Indiana Jones Rocks Petra with this Arabian Classical Remix!” is breathtaking. The Piano Guys take viewers and...
TREN Releases Ghostbusters Tribute Video for Halloween
It is 31 October, the day that is traditionally set aside for the celebration of Halloween. Many people have carefully prepared the costumes that they will wear to Halloween parties and trick-or-treating. Some have even decorated their houses to give the gruesome...