Sister Hazel, currently on the road supporting the June 17 release of its 10th CD, “Before The Amplifiers, Live Acoustic,” has been named as one of the “Top 100 Influential Independent Performers of the last 15 years” by Performing Songwriter magazine. The group was included in the “Organizers” category, which focuses on artists who provide opportunities for others.
“The Gainesville, FL band, known for devoting to their fans and charity events, has built an entire community of like-minded individuals,” the magazine said. “In 2001 they launched the Rock Boat, a first-of-its-kind floating festival that was the model for all fan cruises that followed. The 2009 event will feature a dozen acts including Carbon Leaf, Cowboy Mouth and Aslyn. In 2004 they created the Rock Slope, a ski and snowboarding music fest in Steamboat Springs, CO.”
“Before The Amplifiers, Live Acoustic” features 16 tracks, including the band’s hits, fan favorites and live concert staples, all in a stripped-down, acoustic format, that melds elements of alt rock, folk and southern rock. The album was recorded in front of 100 lucky fans that were chosen at random from more than 5,000 entries.
Sister Hazel — Ken Block (vocals, acoustic guitar), Drew Copeland (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ryan Newell (lead guitar), Jett Beres (bass), and Mark Trojanowski (drums) — has sold over 2 million albums. In addition to founding and hosting the Rock Boat floating music festival, with Sixthman in 2001, the band also established the charity, Lyrics for Life, which benefits children with cancer, in 2001.
Sister Hazel tour dates:
| July 3 | St. Petersburg, FL | Jannus Landing |
| July 4 | Myrtle Beach, SC | Hard Rock Park Live Amphitheater |
| July 5 | Muskegon, MI | Muskegon Summer Celebration/Heritage Park Landing |
| July 6 | Crystal Lake, IL | Crystal Lake Gala Festival/Lippold Park |
| July 10 | Dallas, TX | House of Blues |
| July 11 | New Orleans, LA | House of Blues |
| July 12 | Tunica, MS | Horseshoe Casino Bluesville |
| July 17 | Dewey Beach, DE | Bottle & Cork |
| July 18 | Vienna, VA | The Filene Center |
| July 19 | Somerset, KY | Master Musicians Festival/Somerset Community College |
| August 2 | Indianapolis, IN | Music Mill |
| August 3 | Elgin, IL | Elgin Festival Park |
| August 23 | Atlanta, GA | Chastain Park Amphitheater |
| August 29 | N. Myrtle Beach, SC | House of Blues |
| August 30 | Hilton Head, SC | Shoreline Ballroom |
| August 31 | Alexander City, AL | Lake Martin Amphitheater |
| September 9 | Seattle, WA | Showbox Theater |
| September 10 | Portland, OR | Crystal Ballroom |
| September 11 | San Francisco, CA | The Independent |
| September 12 | Las Vegas, NV | Boulder Station Hotel & Casino |
| September 13 | W. Hollywood, CA | House of Blues |
| September 14 | Alpine, CA | Dreamcatcher Showroom |
| September 27 | Huntsville, AL | Big Spring Jam |
| October 13-14 | Orlando, FL | Walt Disney World/Epcot Center |
