User:TruckerRocks

Trucker, formed in 1995, is an rock/alt country band based in Lawrence, Kansas. Originally a nameless two-piece band, Trucker has grown into it's final sextet line-up (Todd Johnson, Thomas Barletta, Greg Barry, Josh Basnett, Kevin Powell, and Hank Rischar). Primarily a straight-forward rock band, Trucker also incorporates country, blues and flourishes of soul.

History

Early History

1995 in Orlando, Florida, is where Trucker began. Todd Johnson and Tom Barletta met while attending Full Sail University. Tom, who had taught himself to play drums, stored them in the attic of his tiny one-bedroom apartment. Todd who started teaching himself guitar only few years earlier carried with him a blue spiral notebook where he collected the lyrics to many of the Trucker songs that are known today. Despite their inexperience and cramped practice space, they were able to create and ultimately use free studio time to record the very first Trucker song "Better To Be".

Upon graduation, Todd moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where there was a burgening music scene. Tom, who had left his home in Connecticut and turned a weeks excursion into a two year relocation to Florida, followed Todd to Lawrence just a month later. They tried to play with a series of bassists, but nobody seemed to fit the bill. They also never settled on what to name themselves. And so for the first year they played as a nameless two piece band.

1997 at the Lawrence bar Harbour Lights, is when Trucker was officially cristened. They found bassist Wayne Rasmuss, who as a friend of a friend, had been under their noses the entire time. They booked their first show as a three-piece and just a few days before performing, were still undecided about what to call themselves. That's when it happened. Todd, who was wearing a baseball hat, kinda looked like a truck driver. And so the Trucker name was born (The story doesn't have a lot of sparkle, but that's sorta the Trucker way). Trucker played as three-piece until 2003, when Wayne left the band to pursue his career.

Trucker Rebuilding

In 2003, immediately following Trucker's release of Nothing To See Here, Wayne left and Tom and Todd took a year-and-a-half hiatus to determine their future direction and search for a new bassist. During this time, Todd released the single and video "Chosen By God" and both Todd and Tom released the single and video "The Neighbor Song". In the winter months of 2004 and early spring of 2005 Todd and friend Kevin Powell started the living room improv side project of Good Luck Human to help pass the time and keep the creative juices flowing. Good Luck Human ultimately helped to re-ignite the Trucker fire.

2005 is when Trucker really began the journey to find itself. It saw the addition of bassist Greg Barry, lead guitarist Josh Basnett and the official entrance of Kevin on backing vocals. Greg was discovered through the recommendation of mutual friend Scott Richardson; Josh was a former potential recruit from the early days; and Kevin was friend of the band that frequented practices. Greg's entrance was initially questionable because he wasn't really looking for a new band to play in; Josh was already playing in a couple bands and it wasn't clear if he'd be up to playing in another; and Kevin, who had been running sound at practices and some shows, begun his additional role with backing vocals.

2006, with the new line-up and re-energized sound, saw the release of the EP Feeling Better Today. The acceptance of this newly formed Trucker was realized when they won the first annual Deadwood Derby battle of the bands out of a field of 50+ acts from around Kansas. This success was followed by the release of the LP Post Rock Motel and it's inclusion in the 2007 Grammy pre-ballot.

2007 also saw the introduction of the Hank Rischar on keys and vocals. A former band-mate of Greg's, Hank's entrance into Trucker was initially met with hesitation as the need for an additional member was in doubt. However, that doubt was laid to rest before his first practice was even over. Hank's solid keys and backing vocals put the final finishing touches on a new complete Trucker sound.

Late 2008 marked the release of hello amero,Trucker's first album with the new complete line-up and the first release from their new Dick Jack Ed recording studio. And beginning December 2009, Trucker has recorded and released a new single the third Friday of every month under a program they call New Single Fridays.

Accomplishments

National television appearance on Farmclub the Universal Music Group show on USA Network (2000)
Awarded B.E.A.M. Grant from Jim Beam as an up and coming Midwest artist to watch (2000)
Named one of the top 50 unsigned bands in America by the College Media Journal and the American Music Awards (2002)
Todd Johnson selected by Rolling Stone magazine to attend the David Fishof Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp (2003)
Winners of the first annual Deadwood Derby battle of the bands (2006)
Album “Post Rock Motel” placed on Grammy Ballots (2007)
Josh Basnett and Todd Johnson selected as finalists for NBC's Nashville Star (2008)
Winners of the first Sennheiser Hear I Am contest–performed at Osheaga 2010 (2010)

Band Members

Current Members

Todd Johnson – lead vocals and rhythm guitar (1995–present)
Thomas Barletta – drums (1995–present)
Greg Barry – bass guitar (2005–present)
Josh Basnett – lead guitar and backing vocals (2005–present)
Kevin Powell – backing vocals and backing keys (2005–present)
Hank Rischar – lead keys and backing vocals (2007–present)

Former Members

Wayne Rasmuss – bass guitar (1997–2003)

Discography

Albums

Singles

Better To Be (1996)
Chosen by God (2003)
The Neighbor Song (2003)
New Single Fridays (2009–2010)

Grow Away (December 2009)
Crumpled Happy (January 2010)
Such a Girl (February 2010)
And It's Late (March 2010)
Endlessly (April 2010)
In The Mourning (May 2010)
Doscha (June 2010)
Super Double Agent (July 2010)