A Compendium of Country Music Supergroups

The only thing more cool than your favorite country music performers is when your favorite country music performers come together to collaborate in a supergroup. Some of these collaborations have gone on to become just as legendary as the individual performers themselves. However, when looking for a master list of such groups, the internet and every other resource comes up short. The one offered by Wikipedia is downright paltry (someone with Wiki editing authority, fix that please).
So in the effort to preserve and archive this important legacy in country music, here is a (mostly) complete compendium of country music supergroups from throughout the years. Similar to any list, this one will be rigorously scrutinized and severely questioned by individuals that will ignore whatever entries they might not be aware of, and instead expect omniscience and declare the entire exercise ludicrous because someone was not mentioned. But by all means, if you see a certain supergroup project you feel should be included, pipe up in the comments section below.
Some basic ground rules: This is supergroups, not superduos, so no Hold My Beer and Watch This or Pancho & Lefty. A supergroup needs to be established stars coming together for a project, not a project that ultimately gave birth to future solo careers, so no J.D. Crowe and The New South, no Rascal Flatts or Lonestar for example. And of course, everyone’s interpretation of “supergroup” and “star” is subjective, so let’s try to be understanding that someone’s “star” may be another’s “unknown,” and vice versa.
The Highwaymen

Members: Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings
When it comes to supergroups in country music and beyond, this is one of the greatest, most successful, and most legendary. Launched at a time when all of the members were well past their commercial prime, they combined forces, led it off with an excellent song, and it caught fire. At a time in country music when things were going off course, The Highwaymen acted like a bulwark and a rallying cry, and put all four men back at the top of the charts.
Formed in 1985 and lasting a decade, The Highwaymen released three successful albums, with Highwayman (1985) going #1, Highwayman 2 (1990) going #4, and both albums being Certified Platinum. They also earned a #1 for the “Highwayman” song written by Jimmy Webb. Johnny Cash flew a starship. Guy Clark’s “Desperados Waiting for a Train” marked a Top 15 song for the group as well.
In country music, every supergroup feels like it’s patterned after The Highwaymen in one respect or another. They were the Mount Rushmore of country music, live and in the flesh.
Trio

Members: Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt
When talking about country music supergroups, right behind The Highwaymen better be mention of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt, whose 1987 record Trio is considered one of the crowning achievements in country music history. Just like The Highwaymen, it wasn’t only about the star power assembled, but the way these three iconic voices of country music combined together selflessly that made a sound sound greater than the sum of their parts, and hairs on the back of the neck stand on end.
The three had been friends and admirers of each other since the mid ’70s, and had appeared on Dolly Parton’s show in 1976 singing “Bury Me Beneath The Willow.” They also spent some time in the studio, but scheduling conflicts got in the way of completing an album, though some songs from the sessions ended up on their respective solo albums. Luckily though, in 1986 it all came together, and the results were momentous.
The Trio album won the ACM for Album of the Year in 1987, and the CMA’s Vocal Event of the Year in 1988. It also won the 1988 Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group, and was nominated for the Grammy’s all-genre Album of the Year. It was Certified Platinum by the RIAA, and was succeeded by the Gold-Certified Trio II in 1999. The Complete Trio Collection combining all of the supergroup’s work including rare takes was released in 2016.
Pistol Annies

Members: Miranda Lambert, Angaleena Presley, Ashley Monroe
Miranda Lambert has forged her career behind supporting important songwriters and her fellow female voices in country music. Nothing better illustrates this than her project with Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley that is the most commercially-successful, and probably the most well-recognized supergroup in the modern era of country music.
“Lonestar Annie” (Lambert), “Hippie Annie” (Monroe), and “Holler Annie” (Presley) made their debut on a ACM television special celebrating the women of country music in 2011. Ten years later, they were releasing a Christmas Album, which was their fourth album overall, showing the commitment and longevity of this group. Though never especially successful on the radio, they now have two #1 albums. 2013’s Annie Up debuted at #1, and their debut Hell On Heels has been Certified Gold.
Originally taking on the complexion of badass gold-digging women getting one-up on men, the Annies’ 2018 album Interstate Gospel took on a more critically-acclaimed air, and was considered one of the best albums of the year. Miranda Lambert has been one of the most successful women in country in modern history, and the Pistol Annies legacy helps cement that, while also undergirding the careers of Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley.
The Notorious Cherry Bombs

Members: Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Tony Brown, Hank DeVito, and others.
You can’t officially call the original Cherry Bombs a supergroup. Formed in the early 1980s by Rodney Crowell from former members of Emmylou Harris’s Hot Band and other parts, it was Rodney Crowell’s backing band that would go on to be a stepping stone for Vince Gill to become a Country Music Hall of Famer, and keys player Tony Brown to be one of the most important producers in country music history.
But you can’t declare a supergroup in arrears. However, in 2003, multiple members of The Cherry Bombs reunited with Rodney Crowell as The Notorious Cherry Bombs, including Vince Gill, Tony Brown, and others. They were eventually singed to Universal South, and released a self-titled album in 2004. Now they could be considered an official supergroup. The “Notorious” was added to the name for legal reasons. Other participants were 2022 Country Hall of Fame drummer Eddie Bayers, steel guitarist Hank DeVito, guitarist Richard Bennett, and bass player Michael Rhodes.
The Highwomen

Members: Natalie Hemby, Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires
Founded at a time when the representation of women in popular country music was at a historic low due to the prevalence of Bro-Country, Amanda Shires pitched the idea to Brandi Carlile, and soon Maren Morris and Natalie Hemby were on board too. The Highwomen (obviously, a play off the Highwaymen) debuted on April 1, 2019 as part of a Loretta Lynn 87th Birthday celebration at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
The Highwomen went on to release their debut self-titled album in September of 2019 produced by Dave Cobb. It was Cobb who compelled Shires to reach out to Brandi Carlile after Shires vented her frustration about so few women on country radio. The Highwomen ended up winning the Grammy for Best Country Song in 2021 for “Crowded Table.” According to the principle members of the band, it’s not just about them, but about all of the women of country music.
Old Dogs

Members: Waylon Jennings, Mel Tillis, Bobby Bare, Jerry Reed
Everyone remembers The Highwaymen. But if you really want to test someone’s country music knowledge, ask them about Old Dogs. Formed in 1998, this supergroup released only one album—a live double disc of songs all written by songwriter Shel Silverstein, most of which were about growing old. There was also a single disc version of the album.
Just as much a celebration of Shel Silverstein (who sang some backup vocals) as a supergroup, there were never any big tours or anything, but it’s certainly one of the more cool projects in the annals of country music history. Bobby Bare Jr., Jessi Colter, and Hargus “Pig” Robbins are some other notables who appear on the recording.
Honky Tonk Angels

Members: Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette
More of a collaborative album than an actual supergroups who composed original music and toured, the star power of the Honky Tonk Angels nonetheless necessitates their inclusion in the conversation. This long-rumored collaboration finally came together in 1993, and resulted in a Gold Certified self-titled album for the trio.
The album included country standards, including the Queen of Country Music Kitty Wells’ breakout hit “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” “Wings of a Dove,” “Silver Thread and Golden Needles,” and “Lovesick Blues” made famous by Hank Williams.
The project was called “uninspired” by some critics at the time, but it helped put classic country band into the public mindset at a time when the “Class of ’89” had commandeered the genre.
The Flatlanders
Members: Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock
They weren’t a country music supergroup, until they were. During their original incarnation between 1972 and 1973, The Flatlanders received little recognition aside from winning the inaugural Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Singer/Songwriter Competition. A debut single called “Dallas” failed to garner any attention, so a debut album was scrapped, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock went their separate ways.
However, after all three found success as solo artists, they decided to rejoin as a supergroup, and have since become one of the most prolific and well-known supergroups in country music, and specifically influential in the alt-country realm. With 10 records under their belt including 2021’s Treasure of Love, The Flatlanders are considered nothing less than country music gods now.
The Panhandlers
Members: John Baumann, Josh Abbott, Cleto Cordero, William Clark Green
Comprised of Cleto Cordero of Flatland Cavalry, solo artist William Clark Green, Josh Abbott of The Josh Abbott Band, and songwriter John Baumann, The Panhandlers are an uncanny amount of talent in one place that was able to meld together through a mutual appreciation of West Texas and great songwriting. The results were a very quality, and very country self-titled debut album in 2020 that was favored by many, and a 2023 album called Tough Country.
Approached at first as a cover songs project embodying the spirit of the Panhandle region that gave rise to artists like Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings, Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Terry Allen, and the Flatlanders supergroup that their name is a play off of, The Panhandlers morphed into an original recording and performing project during a songwriting session in Marfa, Texas.
Texas Tornadoes
Members: Flaco Jiménez, Augie Meyers, Doug Sahm, and Freddy Fender
Possibly one of the coolest and most unique country supergroups in history, the Texas Tornadoes took country music’s top Hispanic contributors, combined them with Texas music founders, and brought in a Tejano legend to round it all out. Though just as much conjunto, Tejano, and rock as country, you couldn’t talk about country supergroups without these guys.
Texas country legend Doug Sahm had been calling backing bands and collaborations the “Texas Tornadoes” ever since 1973 when he released an album and song of that name, including ones that featured Freddy Fender and Augie Myers. But in 1990 it was made official, with some saying the band was formed by record executives looking to cash in on the popularity of regional Latin music. The Texas Tornadoes were never especially commercially successful, but they went on to be considered legendary.
The Texas Tornadoes are still around, with Shawn Sahm filling in after his father passed away in 1999.
Chicks With Hits
Members: Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, Suzy Bogguss
Though not a recording project (yet), this touring outfit is just too cool to not highlight in this conversation. Just look at how badass these three women are in the picture above? Like so many of country music’s supergroups, there is safety and attention in numbers for artists no longer being played on radio, and the three women sing songs together, harmonizing on each others hits and obscure songs all the same. Pam Tillis also has toured and collaborated with Lorrie Morgan under a similar philosophy.
The Frontmen
Members: Tim Rushlow, Larry Stewart, Richie McDonald
The Frontmen is a supergroup of, well, frontmen from groups that were big in the ’90s. This includes Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, Tim Rushlow of Little Texas, and Richie McDonald of Lonestar. As a trio, they can put on an entire show of hits between their three respective previous projects.
But that’s not all. After recently forming in 2021, The Frontmen were signed with major label BBR to release new original music. So even though The Frontmen are riding off of nostalgia now, they’re betting for being a new original act in the future.
The Wilder Blue
Members: Zane Williams, Paul Eason, Lyndon Hughes, Sean Rodriguez, Andy Rogers
Consisting of solo artist and songwriter Zane Williams, songwriter and solo performer Paul Eason who’s also played guitar with Kevin Fowler and Bri Bagwell, drummer Lyndon Hughes, bassist Sean Rodriguez, and multi-instrumentalist Andy Rogers, Hill Country has the latitude to articulate just about whatever style of American music they choose, from classic rock to bluegrass, to country and folk. And they have taken full advantage of that on now two critically-acclaimed albums.
Originally called Hill Country before changing the name for legal reasons, they once received a big endorsement from Luke Combs after the country music superstar read about them here on Saving Country Music.
Texas Hill
Members: Craig Wayne Boyd (fmr), Adam Wakefield, Casey James
Comprised of three frontmen known for finishing high in reality show singing competitions, Texas Hill formed in 2020 with Craig Wayne Boyd (Season 7 Winner of The Voice), Casey James (Third place on Season 9 of American Idol) and Adam Wakefield (Season 10 Runner-up on The Voice). Wakefield also filled in briefly in The SteelDrivers in a position once held by Chris Stapleton.
This mostly country project has garnered some interest, but has also been somewhat snake bit from the beginning. Right after the project was announced, Adam Wakefield faced a rape allegation. He subsequently denied any wrongdoing and apologized. Then in January of 2023, Craig Wayne Boyd revealed he’d been voted out of the band he helped form. New members Bart Walker, Louis Winfield, and Clark Singleton were also announced.
Texas Hill released an album in 2022 called Heaven Down Here.
Black Tie
Members: Randy Meisner, Jimmy Griffin, and Billy Swan
Though it wasn’t hugely commercially successful, country rock group Black Tie was well-beloved by fans, and boasted some serious star power. Randy Meisner was a former member of Poco, Ricky Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band, and of course was a founding member of The Eagles as the high harmony singer on songs like “Take It To The Limit.” Jimmy Griffin was a member of the band Bread, and Billy Swan was a successful country solo artist with the #1 song “I Can Help.”
Black Tie formed in 1985 and released the debut album When The Night Falls. When Jimmy Griffin left the group to form The Remingtons, he was replaced by Charlie Rich Jr.—the son of country legend Charlie Rich. The group was active all the way up to 2007.
Brokedown in Bakersfield
Members: Nicki Bluhm, Tim Bluhm, Scott Law, Lebo, Steve Adams and Dave Brogan
Formed in 2011 at the High Sierra Music Festival, this high octane country supergroup of California revivalists was put on earth to rev up the appeal for The Bakersfield Sound and artists like Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, and Gram Parsons. Mostly a live performance project, they released a live album in 2014.
Nicki Blum comes from The Gramblers, Tim Bluhm is from The Mother Hips, Scott Law is a well-known West Coast guitar slinger in a host of projects, and Lebo, Steve Adams, and Dave Brogan all come from ALO. Just as much a collective as a supergroup, the respective members have also released country solo and side projects.
The Sky Kings
Members: John Cowan, Bill Lloyd, Patrick Simmons and Rusty Young
Patrick Simmons is a founding member of The Doobie Brothers. When he paired up with bass player John Cowan of New Grass Revival, Bill Lloyd of Foster & Lloyd (with Radney Foster), and Rusty Young of Poco, The Sky Kings were formed. Actually, they were originally formed in 1991 under the name Four Wheel Drive, but they had to change the name due to a lawsuit.
The supergroup signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1993. But after the band went on tour opening for The Doobie Brothers, Patrick Simmons decided he wanted his old gig back, and jumped ship. Nonetheless, the band moved forward as a trio, releasing singles in the ’90s, and albums in 2000 and 2014 of collected singles, demos, and unreleased recordings.
The Lost Highwaymen
Members: Hank Williams III, Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson, Keith Richards
Alright, it was more of a one-off super performance than an actual supergroup. But just the idea of this is enough to get your country music glands salivating. On April 14th, 2002 these four assembled to sing “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones as part of a television special. Think if this group had actually officially formed and toured, it would have been quite epic in its day. And who knows, the Lost Highwaymen could ride again some time in the future.
Other Supergroups:
Unnamed: with Jason Isbell, Justin Townes Earle, Ryan Adams, Shooter Jennings. Even more hypothetical than actual than the Lost Highwaymen, this project was alluded to in a couple of interviews, but never got off the ground. Jason Isbell and Justin Townes Earle were good friends for a while, but had a falling out. Ryan Adams was supposed to produce Jason Isbell’s landmark album Southeastern, but due to a scheduling conflict, had to bow out. Dave Cobb who eventually produced Southeastern was good friends with Shooter Jennings and produced albums for him. Ultimately, it was a better idea on paper than in real life, but an interesting prospect for a supergroup nonetheless.
The Knitters: A play off of the folk band named The Weavers, this was a side project of the punk band ‘X’ that also incorporated Dave Alvin of The Blasters, and bassist Jonny Ray Bartel of The Red Devils. With Exene Cervenka, John Doe, and drummer DJ Bonebrake from ‘X’, it could be considered a supergroup. The Knitters were also super important for sparking the post punk move to roots music later embraced by Bloodshot Records and other insurgent country artists.
Our Native Daughters: Made up of founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops Rhiannon Giddens, solo artist and Birds of Chicago member Allison Russell, and solo performers Leyla McCalla and Amythyst Kiah, this collective of banjo-playing Black women worked to help retrace the African roots of American roots music.
Western Centuries: Made up of Cahalen Morrison who has quite a following all his own from his various country projects as both a frontman and collaborator, Ethan Lawton who is known for his earlier work in Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers, and Jim Miller who became known through his efforts with Donna the Buffalo, the band has released three critically-acclaimed albums. Jim Miller died in March of 2022, but Western Centuries has continued on.
The Local Memories: Formed in 2015 by fiddle player Lucy B. Cochran, it included fellow graduates and attendees of the Berklee College of Music in Suzy Oleson, Maggie MacKay, Melissa Wright, as well as Jessica Lee (Wilkes, now divorced). Named after the Willie Nelson lyric, they released an EP on Bandcamp in 2014, but not much came of the project subsequently.
On The Bubble:
Some may consider The Outlaws of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser a supergroup. But the 1976 album Wanted: The Outlaws was a compilation, and even though all the respective members performed with the other members at various times, they all never performed together under the “Outlaws” name.
Some may consider the Flying Burrito Brothers a supergroup when it was formed by Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons. But it’s probably better to consider as a splinter group of The Byrds as opposed to a bonafide supergroup, though that’s certainly open for interpretation.
Some consider the session musician The Million Dollar Band with Chet Atkins, Boots Randolph, Floyd Cramer, Charlie McCoy, Danny Davis, Jethro Burns, Roy Clark, and Johnny Gimble a supergroup. They performed on 27 Hee-Haw episodes, but never released an album, and never toured, so to some, they’re more indicative of a musician collective such as The Nashville A-Team or The Wrecking Crew as opposed to a supergroup.
Bluegrass:
There are so many bluegrass supergroups since the discipline lends so much to collaboration that it deserves its own deep dive at some point. But here are a few modern bluegrass supergroups worth checking out.
I’m With Her – Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan
Sister Sadie – Deanie Richardson and Gena Britt, with newer members
The Earls of Leicester – Jerry Douglas-fronted supergroup
Strength in Numbers – Béla Fleck, Mark O’Connor, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and Edgar Meyer
The Punch Brothers – Chris Thile, Gabe Witcher, Noam Pikelny, Chris Eldridge, and Paul Kowert
Run C&W – Bernie Leadon, Vince Melamed, Jim Photoglo, Russell Smith
February 9, 2023 @ 9:08 am
No mention of the Honky Tonk Angels (Dolly, Loretta, Tammy)? They had a Gold selling album in 1993.
February 9, 2023 @ 9:31 am
They are the 7th group listed.
February 9, 2023 @ 9:42 am
Not when I posted this comment. Trigger must have went back and added them.
February 9, 2023 @ 9:47 am
I initially had the Honky Tonk Angels on the list, took them off, and then when folks started leaving comments about it, I put it back on. I wouldn’t consider this a supergroup as much as a collaborative album, because they never toured, and the album doesn’t include original music, just country standards.But it’s not worth belaboring the point. I also included other folks on here that some may not consider a “supergroup” either, so there’s no good reason to at least not mention the Honky Tonk Angels too.
February 9, 2023 @ 9:58 am
The Trio never toured, and their albums were mostly covers. I understand where you are coming from, but with some of the groups on this list, it seems insulting to not have the Honky Tonk Angels included. How does a group get more “super” than being comprised of the three most important ladies in country music history?
February 9, 2023 @ 10:21 am
Totally understand. That’s why I added them. I had already written out the entry. I will say though, there is a difference between covers and standards. I spent a good amount of time hemming and hawing over this, and read a few reviews saying they shouldn’t be considered a supergroup like Trio, who collaborated on numerous occasions, and made more of an active effort to be an original project. I think what hurt the Honky Tonk Angels in some people’s eyes is that they WEREN’T Trio, and they were judged by those standards, which probably isn’t fair to them.
February 9, 2023 @ 10:23 am
More noteworthy than The Highwomen for sure.
February 9, 2023 @ 9:14 am
How about …
SKO and SKB — Schuyler, Knoblock and Overstreet, later (after Paul Overstreet’s solo career took off) Schuyler, Knoblock and Bickhardt. Nashville songwriting pros doing what they did best: well-crafted, light country with memorable hooks.
February 9, 2023 @ 9:16 am
Correction: Knobloch, with an “h.”
February 9, 2023 @ 9:23 am
Don’t forget Honky Tonk Angels with Dolly, Tammy, and Loretta!
February 9, 2023 @ 9:36 am
Happy to see The Flatlanders on this list. The story about that debut is that the 17 tracks recorded at the Singleton Sound Studio in Nashville in 1972 were indeed not released, except for a couple of 8-tracks. But when Joe Ely was somewhat of a star in London in 1978 (playing gigs with The Clash), Charly Records made those early recordings of Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock available on the lp One Road More. Ten years later Rounder Records released the same material as More A Legend Than A Band, but three tracks were missing on that record. Eleven records under their belt? Not that many as The Flatlanders. But much more if you also count solo material.
February 9, 2023 @ 9:46 am
Brothers of the Heart could be a considered a supergroup consisting of the likes of Ben Isaacs of the gospel group the Issacs, bluegrass musician Mike Rogers who has worked with the likes of Doyle Lawson and Ricky Skaggs, country-gospel singer Bradley Walker and of course Jimmy Fortune formally of the Statler Brothers.
Of course in the southern gospel realm, you had groups like the Gaither Vocal Band and the Masters V.
Great list! I’m sure others are out there and others simply collaborated without forming an actual group
February 9, 2023 @ 10:11 am
The Knitters (John Doe, Exene Cervenka, Dave Alvin, etc.)
February 9, 2023 @ 10:27 am
Another one I thought of including, but wasn’t this more of a side project of ‘X’ as opposed to a true supergroup?
February 9, 2023 @ 10:34 am
I would say having songwriter extraordinaire/guitarist Dave Alvin of The Blasters on lead guitar gets them over the line
February 9, 2023 @ 12:45 pm
Alright you convinced me.
February 9, 2023 @ 10:31 am
Glad Western Centuries got a mention. The talent in that band is sick. Seeing them rotate instruments and lead vocals effortlessly is something. And they have a bass player who is a champion fiddle player? C’mon. It’s not fair. Wilder Blue was one of my favorite bands to see live last year. Just crazy talented.
February 9, 2023 @ 10:48 am
Very cool, I have not heard of some of these super groups, looks like I got my history lesson for today, here is a super group I would like to see, Elizabeth Cook,Tammy Neilson, Ashley Mcbride, and Jade Mya, I would call them the Outlaw Ladies, would love it if this was a reality, I think they would make such a great album, but just a fantasy I would love to see happen.
February 9, 2023 @ 10:53 am
where’s Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers? They’d even tell you that they are the world’s greatest supergroup?
February 9, 2023 @ 11:10 am
I have a very vague memory of reading some interview back in the ‘90s, I think with George Jones, that there were plans for a collaboration between George, Hank Jr., Merle Haggard, and a fourth that I can’t even remember. I think it was characterized as a “new” Highwaymen. Obviously that never occurred, and at this point I wonder if I just dreamed reading about it. Does anyone else remember that?
February 9, 2023 @ 11:11 am
The original members of The Grascals could fit this mold. All well known session and band members coming together.
February 9, 2023 @ 11:15 am
I think My Bluegrass Heart (Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglass, Chris Thile, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Michael Cleveland, Brian Sutton, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, and others) is pretty definitively a supergroup. One of the better shows I’ve ever seen, too.
February 9, 2023 @ 11:18 am
I have often thought how cool it would have been had there been a Bakersfield supergroup consisting of Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Dwight Yoakam, and Gary Allan.
February 9, 2023 @ 11:29 am
They only recorded one song together, but The Buzzin’ Cousins had a pretty formidable lineup:
John Prine, Joe Ely, James McMurtry, John Mellencamp, and Dwight Yoakam. Too bad they never made an album.
February 9, 2023 @ 12:00 pm
That’s a good one.
February 9, 2023 @ 11:41 am
Would the Travelling Wilburys be one for consideration?
February 9, 2023 @ 12:01 pm
Thought about including them too, but when you start veering that far into the rock realm, you have to start including all kinds of bands. Obviously a landmark supergroup though, and one with roots music ties.
February 9, 2023 @ 12:02 pm
The second album paled in comparison to the first, but the second album was pure rockabilly / country…
February 9, 2023 @ 1:10 pm
Roy had a couple of top 10 country hits. Petty hit number #1 when he collaborated on Mind Your Own Business in the 80s. Then you have Dylan who did Nashville Skyline which featured Cash, Charlie Daniels, Pete Drake, etc. Among many other things. George also used Pete Drake on All Things Must Pass.
Borderline for sure. But I’d say yes to consideration.
February 9, 2023 @ 12:16 pm
Could probably include Roots and Boots (Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye), since they work the exact same way as Chicks with Hits.
February 9, 2023 @ 3:38 pm
I think Collin Raye was a fill-in for the original group consisting of Kershaw, Joe Diffie and Tippin. That threesome actually put out a CD called “All in the Same Boat” and even produced a video of them doing that song, which seems to have been written for the project.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlvTAN2PiNg
February 9, 2023 @ 10:24 pm
This group still tours. Sammy Kershaw and Collin Raye were supposed to play the ’90’s themed Key Western Fest last week. Kershaw had to cancel and Collin was still going to come down, but he was using Kershaw’s band so he had to cancel too. I think this outfit all tours with the same backing band to increase ticket sales and save money. Not a bad option for these artists.
February 9, 2023 @ 12:22 pm
Hey Trigger. You mentioned JD Crowe and the New South at the beginning as not meeting the requirements. In your Bluegrass section you left out the greatest supergroup that did include Crowe, The Bluegrass Album Band. Surely Tony Rice, Doyle Lawson, JD Crowe, Todd Phillips, Bobby Hicks and Jerry Douglas need to be included.
February 9, 2023 @ 10:26 pm
I left out scores and scores of bluegrass supergroups. That really would require its own dedicated article, and it would likely be twice as long as this one. I did mention a few at the end, but I wanted to highlight more modern outfits folks could check out.
February 9, 2023 @ 12:26 pm
The Frontmen interests me the most right now. I’ve always loved Restless Heart.
And hot damn Amanda Shires before all those ugly tattoos… It’ll be great when the stupid tattoo trend dies out and all the popular tattoos now become tacky like barbed wire and trampstamps.
February 9, 2023 @ 12:59 pm
counterpoint – her tats look great and you’re just a square
February 10, 2023 @ 4:51 am
Triplepoint – no one’s tattoos look great. It’s just dependent on how good their body looks already.
February 10, 2023 @ 3:33 pm
I don’t have any tattoos because even though I’m a metal fabricator and swim a lot, eventually I’m going to get that Junior Soprano body and I have to wonder if it would look cool then!
February 9, 2023 @ 12:57 pm
Wikipedia would be the first to define “The Highwomen” as a “Supergroup.”
The Panhandlers? Love Cleto Cordero, but not seeing it.
There are some killer Supergroups out there, some of which are on this list.
February 9, 2023 @ 1:10 pm
Franklin County Trucking Company? America’s 3rd or 4th best trucker rock “super” group. Can we be considered super ’cause Ed’s in the Supersuckers?
February 9, 2023 @ 1:32 pm
Not a bad submission. Certainly worth a mention.
February 9, 2023 @ 2:10 pm
I’ve noticed that you’ve rated some albums higher that, from my observation, you have been less impressed with than Interstate Gospel. I’d be curious to see if after some time you would rate it higher! Not a criticism by any means either, I know it’s hard to measure various creative works in a purely operational way
February 9, 2023 @ 2:33 pm
I forgot to mention two more supergroups
The Survivors – Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis
Class of ‘55 – Same as above but with Roy Orbison.
The Song “Waymore’s Blues” is great!
February 9, 2023 @ 2:55 pm
I’d add the Class of ‘55 (Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis) to the list, as well as the original Million Dollar Quartet of Elvis, Cash, Perkins and Lewis.
February 9, 2023 @ 3:29 pm
Interesting thing with the Highwaymen is they were not originally conceived as a group. It was just Cash and Willie doing a duet album and then Waylon and Kristofferson were invited to come in on a few songs. The album was called “Highwayman” (in the singular) and the second one was called “Highwayman 2.” Also, the Jimmy Webb song “Highwayman” had been a flop for Glen Campbell a few years before, but it turned out to be the pefect song to establish the grizzled foursome as a cohesive, somewhat mystical unit.
It was when they became a touring group that they found the need to call themselves the “Highwaymen”–and that ran into trouble because there was a ’60s folk group that had been called the “Highwaymen,” and achieved some renown with the song “Michael Row the Boat Ashore.” When the Willie-Cash-Waylon-Kris group started using the “Highwaymen” name, the “Michael” Highwaymen filed a lawsuit. Waylon came up with the idea of inviting the “Michael” Highwaymen to appear with and open some shows for the latter Highwaymen. Reportedly, they did that and dropped the lawsuit. Though I’ve searched youtube for any videos of any appearance by the two groups and there don’t seem to be any. Of course, that was before everybody had a phone with a built-in video camera.
February 9, 2023 @ 3:37 pm
Considering it’s a duo I don’t know if it counts, but Dillard & Clark was legit.
February 9, 2023 @ 3:59 pm
How about Desert Rose Band? Herb Pederson, Chris Hillman and John Jorgenson. Killer band of famous A list players. Hillman was in The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers and other bands. Same with Pederson. Jorgensen has been a Hellecaster, in Elton John’s band and others.
February 9, 2023 @ 4:34 pm
Too busy pandering to other “Supergroups.”
Highwomen are lame.
February 9, 2023 @ 5:35 pm
Dumb comment Di. I didn’t not include anyone on this list because I was “pandering” to anyone, and I think you would have an extreme uphill battle convincing anyone that I have “pandered” to The Highwomen. They are a country supergroup. This is a list of country supergroups. Unilaterally leaving them off this list because some don’t like them would be the chode move.
February 9, 2023 @ 5:52 pm
Not a dumb comment.
Strictly a matter of opinions.
February 10, 2023 @ 11:52 am
i was about to write that same comment about Desert Rose Band . They were unbelievable!
February 10, 2023 @ 12:11 pm
Yes they were Danielle. I think a lot of folks who read this site weren’t tuned in during their heyday. But Desert Rose Band racked up some hits on the Country charts, and toured extensively in their day. Love Reunited, One Step Forward, She Don’t Love Nobody, just to name a few. And all three members were names even before the founding of Desert Rose.
February 9, 2023 @ 4:28 pm
I would love to see Trisha Yearwood make an album with Vince Gill and Alison Krauss. There voices would be amazing.
February 9, 2023 @ 4:31 pm
Surely such a list needs to include the Ego Brothers? Hayes Carll, Corb Lund, and John Evans.
February 9, 2023 @ 6:27 pm
Great list, and pretty damn exhaustive. In the Bluegrass category I would add Blue Rose (Cathy Fink, Laurie Lewis, Molly Mason, Marcy Marxer and Sally Van Meter).
February 9, 2023 @ 7:25 pm
Funny you had this great article. I was wondering about a recent group that I don’t think would technically be called a super group, but includes some big names in Country/Gospel music. Have you heard any of the two albums recently put out by Jimmy Fortune/Mike Rogers/Bradley Walker/Ben Isaac, the “Brotherly” series? Mostly covers but good choices and excellent renditions. Worth a listen!
February 9, 2023 @ 8:24 pm
A Glen Campbell, Chet Atkins, Roy Clark, and Jerry Reed group would’ve slapped. Imagine the guitar solos…
February 9, 2023 @ 8:53 pm
Our Native Daughters?
February 9, 2023 @ 9:04 pm
That’s a good one.
February 9, 2023 @ 9:54 pm
Augie Myers brings back memories of Leon Springs Cafe TX just north of loop 1604 in SA. Augie and I both had long hair in braids, what fun we had in that nowhere Cafe 35 years ago. Not sure if it’s even still there. Cheers!
February 9, 2023 @ 9:58 pm
Trigger, I appreciate all your time and effort in all your articles. Keep educating us all!
February 9, 2023 @ 10:01 pm
Come on are you serious…..where’s Highway 101 with Paulette Carlson?!?!?!?!?
They were the most awesome group of the late 80’s and early 90’s.
February 10, 2023 @ 5:45 am
How do you feel about “solo superstar paired with famous group”? — I’m thinking Willie and the Wheel or Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family here. Feels like it’s a separate category….but probably one with a lot of fertile ground.
February 10, 2023 @ 8:26 am
I would consider those more collaborations than supergroups, and yeah, probably deserves its own deep dive, similar to duos.
February 10, 2023 @ 7:09 am
If I may… and sorry I missed a mention above, but… does “Old and In The Way” count under bluegrass?
Granted, Jerry Garcia was folk and rock and is better known for his guitar playing with the Grateful Dead, but… with Vassar Clements on fiddle, Peter Rowan on guitar, David Grisman on mandolin, and John Kahn on bass, it’s a question I felt I needed to ask…
February 10, 2023 @ 8:28 am
Would definitely consider Old and In The Way a supergroup. There are so many bluegrass supergroups, they really need their own article. I did mention a few more active ones above, but it’s so common in bluegrass, that article would probably be twice as long as this one.
February 10, 2023 @ 7:24 am
May have been mentioned, but isn’t Kyle Park in a group now? Maybe the Texas Trio??? Caught him solo acoustic & his group in Steamboat this year, really good! Texas swing music was the trio’s style.
February 10, 2023 @ 8:54 am
How about the Hard Working Americans?
February 10, 2023 @ 12:17 pm
That’s a good one. Veering a bit into the Americana/indie rock realm, but a cool collection of talent for sure.
February 10, 2023 @ 9:30 am
How about The Little Willies with Norah Jones and Jim Campilongo?
February 10, 2023 @ 12:20 pm
Maybe more of a super duo as opposed to a traditional supergroup, but I wouldn’t argue with including them in the conversation. A great project as well. Jim was great producing that Zephaniah O’Hora debut.
February 10, 2023 @ 9:39 am
Blue Sky Riders
Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr
February 10, 2023 @ 10:04 am
Blue Ridge Rangers – John Fogerty, John Fogerty, John Fogerty and John Fogerty.
February 12, 2023 @ 7:00 am
Great comment. But look at the cover. There’s one more John Fogerty.
February 10, 2023 @ 10:22 am
Maybe a bit peripheral…. but I’m throwing in a plug for the Notting Hillbillies with Mark Knopfler, Guy Fletcher, Paul Franklin.
February 10, 2023 @ 4:38 pm
Gonna have to look this up, love Mark Knopfler and Paul Franklin.
February 11, 2023 @ 9:24 am
Hoh! Was looking to make sure I wasn’t double posting but came here to say this!
February 10, 2023 @ 12:56 pm
A bunch of bluegrass virtuosos just formed a super group called the mighty poplar and they are promising it will be actual bluegrass….Critter Eldridge, Noam Pikelny, Andrew Marlin, Alex Hargreaves, and Greg Garrison.
February 10, 2023 @ 1:09 pm
Just a thought I had when I was reading this and saw Lonestar mentioned… remember Big N Rich? They sure did suck. Like a lot.
February 10, 2023 @ 3:03 pm
Are booking concepts the same as a “supergroup”?
The Front Men never came together to make records as a band or vocal, ditto Chicks with Hits. OR even the unnamed Wine, Women + Song, which is CMA Song of the Year winners Gretchen Peters and Matraca Berg with Suzy Boggus.
I didn’t see Southern Pacific, which was originally Keith Knudsen and John McFee from the Doobie Brothers, Stu Cook from Creedence and Glen D. Hardin of Elvis’ TCB Band, then Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band. When they lost their original lead singer David Jenkins, who’d been the voice of Pablo Cruise, joined them.
Thanks for remembering the Notorious Cherry Bombs, the Sky Kings and several others…
I wonder if it would be worth mentioning the Dead Reckoners (Kevin Welch, Kieran Kane, Tammy Rogers, Mike Henderson) and/or the Original Steeldrivers (Mike Henderson, Tammy Rogers AND Chris Stapleton).
February 10, 2023 @ 6:55 pm
The Frontmen have released a single and signed with BBR to release an original album in the future, so I wouldn’t call them a booking concept. They are a legitimate supergroup, if only a new one.
I agree that “booking concepts” shouldn’t necessarily be considered supergroups. By including “Chicks With Hits” I probably broke my own rules.
One rule is I don’t think you can look at a backing band or groups in arrears and declare them a supergroup. For example, Chris Stapleton was certainly known in certain circles, but was not nearly the superstar he is today when he was with The SteelDrivers. Tammy is pretty much known from the SteelDrivers, so I wouldn’t personally consider that a supergroup. But admittedly, we all have different opinions on this.
February 10, 2023 @ 4:41 pm
It’s probably not worthy of the list, but I’ve always been disappointed that Works Progress administration with the Nickel Creek folks and Glen Phillips from Toad the Wet Sprocket never did more. They had some excellent steel playing on their full length album.
February 11, 2023 @ 11:45 am
Desert rose band totally belongs in the list.
February 11, 2023 @ 6:48 pm
No love for Golden Smog?
February 12, 2023 @ 8:11 am
Rebel Meets Rebel
February 12, 2023 @ 9:25 am
Good one, though more of a metal project than country.
February 12, 2023 @ 9:00 pm
Good callout in the comments on the Class of 55.
Bluegrass would take a whole series of posts!
Too Americana to make this post but Daddy. Will Kimbrough, Tommy Womack, John Deaderick, Dave Jacques, and Paul Griffith.
February 13, 2023 @ 8:19 am
I believe Desert Rose Band, Southern Pacific, BlackHawk and Burnin’ Daylight would all qualify. Each of them received chart exposure back in the 80’s and 90’s.
Desert Rose Band included Chris Hillman (Byrds, Flying Burrito Bros), Herb Pedersen (Dillards), John Jorgensen (well known session guitarist), and JayDee Manness (Buck Owens). DRB had several country hits during the 80’s.
Southern Pacific was a full fledged supergroup comprised originally of John McFee and Keith Knudsen (both from Doobie Brothers), Jerry Scheff and Glen Hardin (both from Elvis’ TCB Band) and lead vocalist Tim Goodman. Scheff by the way is the father of Jason Scheff, long time vocalist for the band Chicago. Jerry Scheff left early on and was replaced by Stu Cook (Creedence Clearwater Revival). Hardin left and was replaced by Kurt Howell (solo recording artist). Goodman left after their first two albums and was replaced by David Jenkins (Pablo Cruise).
BlackHawk included Henry Paul (formerly of the Outlaws as well as the Henry Paul Band), Van Stephenson (songwriter and solo recording artist for MCA during the 80’s), and Dave Robbins (songwriter who penned country hits during the 80’s). Stephenson and Robbins wrote several songs that were recorded by Restless Heart.
Burnin’ Daylight was a short-lived country band formed in the 90’s that included Kurt Howell (Southern Pacific), Marc Beeson (Nashville songwriter) and Sonny Lemaire (Exile). They only recorded one album, released in 1997.