Sister Hazelis an Americanrockband fromGainesville, Florida,whose style blends elements ofjangle pop,folk rock,classic rock,andSouthern rock.[3][6]They are best known for their 1997 single "All for You."

Sister Hazel
Sister Hazel performing in Orlando, Florida, in 2007
Sister Hazel performing in Orlando, Florida, in 2007
Background information
OriginGainesville, Florida,U.S.
Genres
Years active1993–present
Labels
Members
  • Ken Block
  • Jett Beres
  • Andrew Copeland
  • Ryan Newell
  • Mark Trojanowski
Websitesisterhazel.com

History

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Sister Hazel formed inGainesville, Florida,in 1993 and was named for Sister Hazel Williams, a localmissionarywho ran a homeless shelter.[7]The group released itsself-titled debut albumin 1994, through its independentrecord labelCroakin' Poets. Shortly after its release, singer/guitarist Ryan Newell and drummer Mark Trojanowski joined the band. Newell played on the album before officially joining the group.

The band's second album...Somewhere More Familiarwas released in 1997 and sold approximately 30,000 copies through its initial pressing, promptingUniversal Recordsto sign the band. Universal re-released...Somewhere More Familiarin late 1997.[8]A single from the albumAll For Youhit No. 11 on theBillboardHot 100and remains the band's most successful single.

The band's third albumFortresswas released in 2000 by Universal. The band worked with producersMike Clink(Guns N' Roses,Mötley Crüe,Heart), Richie Zito (Cheap Trick), and Paul Ebersold (3 Doors Down).[8]The album featured minor pop hits "Champagne High" and "Change Your Mind." The album's title track was featured as the outro ofValparaiso Universityradio stationWVUR's weekly Saturday night program during the 2000–01 academic year.

In 2003, after the band split from Universal, they released their fourth studio album,Chasing Daylight,on the Sixthman label and toured throughout the year to promote the album. The band's internet presence emerged during this time period, and hardcore fans dubbing themselves "Hazelnuts" studied setlists, sharedbootlegconcert recordings, and initiated a promotion scheme with the band through theirofficial website.2003 also saw the simultaneous release ofLive*LIVE,a two-disc live album, andA Life in the Day,a live DVD.

In 2004, Sister Hazel released their next studio album,Lift.Songs fromLiftwere re-recorded for 2005'sLift: Acoustic Renditions,an EP of studio acoustic takes on five of the songs, offered exclusively throughApple'siTunes Store.In July 2005, theSister Hazelalbum was re-issued again by Sixthman, in response to claims that the album had become difficult to find in stores.

Sister Hazel then promoted their album,Absolutely,which was released on October 10, 2006. The band also continued to tour and hold annual fan gathering events,The Rock Boatand The Rock Slope.Absolutelyis the band's highest-charting album on theBillboardcharts followingFortressand it received 4 out of a possible 5 stars fromAllmusic,a tie withFortress's score.

On June 5, 2007, Sister Hazel released a "hybrid" album,BAM! Volume 1.It containsB-sidesfrom theAbsolutelyrecording sessions and some from previous albums. Sister Hazel also released a holiday album calledSanta's Playliston September 25, 2007.

On February 9, 2008, the band performed a live concert atDaytona International Speedwayfor theBudweiser Shootout.They released a live acoustic album on June 17, 2008,Before the Amplifiers, Live Acousticon Croakin' Poets/Rock Ridge Music.The record features 16 tracks, including the band's hits, fan favorites, and live concert staples, all in a stripped-down, acoustic format. The album was recorded on January 12 at Nickel & Dime Studios in Atlanta (other bands who have recorded there in the past includeIndigo Girls,The B-52's,Shawn Mullins) in front of a hundred fans who were chosen at random from more than five thousand entries.

At the July 18, 2008, concert atWolf Trap Farm Park,drummer Mark Trojanowski took paternity leave for his newborn child. FormerVertical Horizonand currentDoobie BrothersdrummerEd Tothplayed in his absence.

On July 9, 2009Ford Motor Companyannounced a collaboration with Sister Hazel to promote the company's newSynctechnology, available on many Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles. The band was featured on a Ford website, syncmyride.com.[9]

The band released their seventh studio album of original songs (tenth album overall) on August 18, 2009. The album, entitledRelease,contains 12 tracks and is on the Rock Ridge Music label.[10]On the day of release,Releasewas the number one album on iTunes.[11]

Less than six months after releasingRelease,the band returned to the studio to work on their new album,Heartland Highway,was released on October 12, 2010. Its first radio single was "Stay a While".

The band's ninth studio album,Lighter in the Dark,was announced in the later part of 2015. It is their first country album, and was released on February 19, 2016.[12]The lead single from the album is "We Got It All Tonight". Two songs, "We Got It All Tonight" and "Karaoke Song", which features country artistDarius Rucker,were made available for instant download for those who pre-ordered the album.[13]

The band's namesake Dr. Hazel Kirkland Williams died on July 16, 2016, at age 91 in Gainesville.[14]

The band released an EPWateron February 9, 2018, which featured the lead single "Roll On Bye". Less than a week after the release ofWater,the band announced they had begun recording a follow-up EP inNashville,Tennessee.The EPWindwas released on September 7, 2018. The next EP in the "Elements" series,Fire,was released on February 8, 2019. The final installment in the "Elements" series,Earth,was released on September 6, 2019. Each of the EPs in the series included a portion of a song at the end, intended to be linked together in a future release. On November 26, 2019, all the EPs were combined into a single release,Elements.The 25-song, double-disc set includes the final "Elements" song pieced together.

Use in media

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The band has had music featured in several movies and soundtracks includingMajor League: Back to the Minors,The Wedding Planner,Clay Pigeons,Bedazzledand10 Things I Hate About You.Sister Hazel also appear on theFleetwood Mactribute album,Legacy: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac's Rumourswith theircover versionof "Gold Dust Woman".In 1999, they recorded a cover of"September Gurls"for theBig Startribute album,Big Star, Small World.However, the track was not included when the album was released in 2006. The song "Where Do You Go" was featured onScrubs(Season 6, Episode 4, "My House" ). "All For You" was featured in episode 7 of the first season ofThe Way Home (TV series)

Musical style

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Influences

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While some of the band members feel like their sounds are simply Sister Hazel,[15]Ryan Newell has citedJimi Hendrix,Stevie Ray Vaughan,Jimmy Page,Van Halen,andEric Claptonas his influences.[16]The band has certainly been influenced by othersouthern rockandfolk music.[17]

Philanthropy

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Lyrics for Life is a non-profit organization for the benefit of pediatric cancer.[18]Sister Hazel had a benefit concert to support the Sarah Jones Scholarship Fund.[19]

Band members

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  • Ken Block – lead vocals, acoustic guitar (1993–present)
  • Jett Beres – bass, harmony vocals (1993–present)
  • Andrew Copeland – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards (1993–present)
  • Ryan Newell – lead andslide guitar,harmony vocals (1993–present)
  • Mark Trojanowski – drums (1993–present)

Touring musicians

  • Dave LaGrande – keyboards, saxophone (2012–2023)

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Album details Chart positions Certification
US
[20]
US Country
[21]
US Indie
[22]
US Rock
[23]
1994 Sister Hazel
  • Released: 1994, 1997, 2005
  • Label: Croakin' Poets,Universal,Sixthman
1997 ...Somewhere More Familiar
  • Released: February 25, 1997
  • Label: Croakin' Poets,Universal
47
2000 Fortress 63
2003 Chasing Daylight
  • Released: February 4, 2003
  • Label: Croakin' Poets/Sixthman
177 6
2004 Lift
  • Released: August 24, 2004
  • Label: Croakin' Poets/Sixthman
184 20
2006 Absolutely
  • Released: October 10, 2006
  • Label: Adrenaline/Wandering Hazel
86 4
2009 Release
  • Released: August 18, 2009
  • Label: Croakin' Poets/Rock Ridge
37 3 8
2010 Heartland Highway
  • Released: October 12, 2010
  • Label: Croakin' Poets/Rock Ridge
80 19 33
2016 Lighter in the Dark
  • Released: February 19, 2016[25]
  • Label: Croakin' Poets
79 4 6 12
2020 Elements
  • Released: April 3, 2020[26]
  • Label: Croakin' Poets
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.
Year EP details Chart positions Sales
US
[20]
US Country
[21]
US Indie
[22]
US Rock
[23]
2018 Water
  • Released: February 9, 2018[13]
  • Label: Croakin' Poets
96 9 2 14
2018 Wind
  • Released: September 7, 2018[27]
  • Label: Croakin' Poets
46 11
2019 Fire
  • Released: February 8, 2019[13]
  • Label: Croakin' Poets
48 5
2019 Earth
  • Released: September 6, 2019[30]
  • Label: Croakin' Poets
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Other releases

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  • 99.3 The Zone – Collector's Edition 1997– 1997
  • "Let Your Love Flow" –Clay PigeonsSoundtrack – 1998
  • Live*LIVE– Live Double Album – March 2003
  • A Life in the Day– Live DVD – March 2003
  • Chasing Daylight – Acoustic EP– August 2004 (downloadable exclusive)
  • Lift: Acoustic Renditions– April 2005 (downloadable exclusive)
  • BAM! Volume 1– June 5, 2007 (B-Sides Album)
  • Santa's Playlist– September 25, 2007 (Holiday Album)
  • Before the Amplifiers, Live Acoustic– Live Album – June 17, 2008
  • 20 In '10 Collection– Compilation Album – February 8, 2010 (Amazon.com downloadable exclusive)
  • Threeve– EP – June 1, 2010 (iTunes downloadable exclusive)
  • 11411– Compilation/Sampler – January 3, 2011 (Amazon.com downloadable exclusive)
  • This Is Gator Country– 2011 (featured on a special compilation CD titled "You're in Gator Country," sold exclusively by theUniversity of Florida Athletic Association)
  • 20 Stages– Live Double Album [CD or Limited Edition Vinyl LP] – October 7, 2014
  • 20 Stages– Live DVD – October 7, 2014
  • Live From Daryl's House Club– Live CD – December 9, 2016
  • Live From Daryl's House Club– Live DVD – December 9, 2016
  • Before the Amplifiers 2– Live Album – December 10, 2021

Singles

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Title Year Chart positions Album
US
[31]
US Alt US Main US Adult 40 US AC AUS
[32]
"All for You" 1997 11 39 1 16 50 ...Somewhere More Familiar
"Concede"
"Happy" 1998 73 37 31 27
"Change Your Mind" 2000 59 5 Fortress
"Champagne High" 2001 22
"Beautiful Thing"
"Your Mistake" 2002 27 Chasing Daylight
"Life Got in the Way" 2003 36
"Just What I Needed" 2004 Lift
"World Inside My Head"
"Mandolin Moon"(featuringShawn Mullins) 2006 26 Absolutely
"This Kind of Love" 2008
"Take a Bow" 2009 Release
"Vacation Rain" 2010
"Stay Awhile" Heartland Highway
"We Got It All Tonight" 2015 Lighter in the Dark
"Roll on Bye" 2018 Water
"Small Town Living" Wind
"Here with You" 2019 Fire
"Good for You" Earth
"Coconut Trees" 2023 non-album single

References

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  1. ^Whitake, Sterling."Sister Hazel Find 'Something to Believe In' for Lyric Video [Exclusive Premiere]".Taste of Country.RetrievedFebruary 4,2022.
  2. ^"Sister Hazel does it for the fans".The Daily Gamecock. October 16, 2014.RetrievedMay 11,2016.
  3. ^ab"Sister Hazel - Biography".Billboard.com.
  4. ^Durchholz, David (March 26, 2003)."Critics' Picks: Sister Hazel with the Wil Seabrook Band".The Riverfront Times.RetrievedJuly 25,2016.The very definition of a mainstream jangle-pop band, Sister Hazel belongs in the company of Counting Crows, Third Eye Blind, Edwin McCain, Hootie and the Blowfish and matchbox twenty.
  5. ^Sitt, Pam (August 18, 2000)."It's a Big Freakin' Deal; All-day concert provides a little variety with six acts at Cheney Stadium".The Seattle Times.RetrievedJuly 25,2016.Acoustic jangle-pop band Sister Hazel achieved commercial success with its 1997 hit, "All For You."
  6. ^Denton, Lisa; Courter, Barry (May 30, 2016)."Off the Couch: Nightfall goes big with before and after parties".Chattanooga Times Free Press.RetrievedJuly 25,2016.They've had hits with "All for You" and "Change Your Mind," and their music blends Southern rock, classic rock and folk rock, but my favorite description of Sister Hazel called them a jangle pop band. "Jangle" — that's a good word.
  7. ^Ken Block Songfacts interview.Songfacts.Retrieved June 5, 2008.
  8. ^ab"Sister Hazel Taps Three-Headed Monster For 'Fortress'".MTV.com.Archived fromthe originalon May 8, 2001.RetrievedJuly 11,2009.
  9. ^"Sister Hazel 'Sync's' with Ford".Billboard.July 11, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon July 20, 2012.RetrievedJuly 11,2009.
  10. ^"Sister Hazel to Release 'Release'".Alternative Addiction.July 11, 2009.
  11. ^"Sister Hazel's New Album Goes Straight to the Top of iTunes Rock Chart".Skopemag.com.August 19, 2009.
  12. ^"Lighter in the Dark".Amazon.com.
  13. ^abc"Lighter in the Dark by Sister Hazel".Itunes.apple.com.February 19, 2016.
  14. ^"'Sister Hazel' Williams, Gainesville Band's Namesake, Dies at 91 ".WUFT.org.July 17, 2016.
  15. ^Hauser, Alicia."Meet Sister Hazel's Bassist, Jeff Beres".Naples Illustrated.RetrievedMarch 12,2014.
  16. ^Roberts, Dave."INTERVIEW WITH SISTER HAZEL'S RYAN NEWELL".Guitar Site.RetrievedMarch 12,2014.
  17. ^"Review: Sister Hazel,...Somewhere More Familiar They also made a bunch of awesome records".Consumable Online.Archived fromthe originalon March 13, 2014.RetrievedMarch 12,2014.
  18. ^"About Us".lyricsforlife.org.RetrievedJune 22,2021.
  19. ^Denton, Lindsey (August 18, 2014)."Sister Hazel Charity Concert at Buckhead Theatre".The Patch.RetrievedOctober 14,2015.
  20. ^ab"Sister Hazel Chart History: Billboard 200".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon May 12, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 22,2018.
  21. ^ab"Sister Hazel Chart History: Top Country Albums".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon May 12, 2018.
  22. ^ab"Sister Hazel Chart History: Independent Albums".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon May 13, 2018.
  23. ^ab"Sister Hazel Chart History: Top Rock Albums".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon May 13, 2018.
  24. ^"American certifications – Sister Hazel –...Somewhere More Familiar".Recording Industry Association of America.RetrievedSeptember 11,2020.
  25. ^"Lighter in the Dark by Sister Hazel".February 19, 2016.
  26. ^"Elements by Sister Hazel".April 3, 2020.
  27. ^Lisa Konicki (July 20, 2018)."EXCLUSIVE: Sister Hazel Premieres" Small Town Living "From Upcoming EP" Wind "".Onecountry.com.RetrievedMarch 12,2020.
  28. ^Bjorke, Matt (September 24, 2018)."Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: September 24, 2018".Roughstock.RetrievedSeptember 27,2018.
  29. ^Bjorke, Matt (February 20, 2019)."Top 10 Country Albums Chart: February 20, 2019".Roughstock.com.RetrievedMarch 2,2019.
  30. ^"Sister Hazel Announces New EP, Earth Set for Release September 6, 2019".Sisterhazel.com.July 23, 2019.RetrievedMarch 12,2020.
  31. ^Joel Whitburn,Top Pop Singles.12th edition, 2009, p. 895.
  32. ^"Discography Sister Hazel".australian-charts.com.RetrievedOctober 14,2022.
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