Retro from their dress to their sound, BR549 has made their music something not only unique, but also entertainingly representative of the old days of country. Founded by guitarists/vocalists Gary Bennett and Chuck Mead, these good old, down-home, tongue-in-cheek, honky-tonk boys appeared on the scene in the ‘90s ready to give the public a grand old time. The two founders moved to Nashville from the Pacific Northwest early in the ‘90s and founded the band in '93. The group had a rather entertaining start at a local western-wear clothing store/bar in Nashville's old district.BR549 chose their name from the ‘70s show Hee Haw, and they are comprised of members Gary Bennett and Chuck Mead on vocals and guitar, Jay McDowell plays bass, Mark Miller is on bass and vocals, and Shaw Wilson is on the drums. Donnie Herron plays a wider range of instruments which include the fiddle, steel guitar, and mandolin.The band had a turbulent time in their first ten years together, with relentless touring and personal shifts. But they endured through it all, earning themselves critical acclaim and multiple Grammy nominations. In 2006 they released their latest album, Dog Days. The album has proven that the band is still going strong, if a little sparser than when they started-having lost Bennett and McDowell. Fan's fears of a breakup were put to rest when the two musicians were replaced with Geoff Firebaugh on bass - and Chris Scruggs as guitarist, vocalist and steel guitar player. Their period of conflict only proves the obvious, that there is no keeping a good man down. Hopefully B549 will continue producing the music that has become adored by fans all over for years to come.