The Wayward Drifters

The Wayward Drifters are a traditional honky tonk band from around the Washington DC area. The band was formed by J.B. Beverley in 1998.

EARLY HISTORY:

J.B. Beverley started the Wayward Drifters in December 1998. Originally tracking his country blues songs to four track and playing them only for friends, he soon found himself shopping around for a band. The original gigging line-up featured Phil Swaby on fiddle, Gabriel Mintz on guitar, and several upright bass players.

In 2001, Beverley met and hired banjo player Dan Mazer (a.k.a. BanjerDan, and soon after, fiddler Tom Lyons. Soon billing the group as J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters, the band was seen all over the MD, DC, VA area. Early shows in Silver Spring's infamous Half Mon BBQ featured the guitar talents of legend Bill Kirchen. For the next two and a half years the band would tour regionally and build a steady buzz throughout the country.

RECENT HISTORY:

Since 2004, J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters have released three CDs: "Highball", "Live From The Heartland", and "Dark Bar & A Jukebox". They have played shows with the likes of Dale Watson, Wayne Hancock, Lee Rocker, Hank Williams III, The Two Timin' Three, and many others. The current touring line-up for the band is J.B. Beverley (vocals / guitar) , BanjerDan (banjo, resonator guitar, mandolin) and Johnny Lawless (upright bass). Jimmy Swope was the band's touring guitar player from 2/06 - 4/07, but has since left.

OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY:

Have you ever wondered what happened to REAL country music? Sadly, it has been pushed into the underground by an image-consumed, corporate, money-making monster. These days, only a few brave souls dare to make the kind of real country music that honors American heritage and culture; the kind of country music rooted in the influence of Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and the other all-but-forgotten legends of the genre; the kind of country music that reflects real life, and not the latest fashion trends. One of the strongest and most charismatic forces in the real country music arena is J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters.

Originally formed in December 1998, J.B. Beverley and the Wayward Drifters have steadily made a name for themselves in the U.S. and around the world. A "retired" hobo, Beverley took his experiences from the road, the trains, and the everyday American people that he encountered, and molded those experiences into some of the most heartfelt, real-deal country music to see the light of day in a long time. With driving acoustic rhythm guitar, slamming upright bass slapping, amazing banjo rolls, and other blistering accompaniment, Beverley and his "high lonesome" voice have earned a solid reputation for their live shows.

J.B. Beverley and his Wayward Drifters have opened up shows for Wayne "The Train" Hancock, Dale Watson, Lee Rocker, and other greats. They have been joined on stage by legendary Commander Cody guitar picker Bill Kirchen, and other friends in the music community. The band also has made fans out of the likes of John Carter Cash, Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats, Bruce Springsteen, and Piedmont Blues great Warner Williams.

J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters have been featured on several radio and TV programs, and have done three national tours since 2005—one of which was a memorable seven weeks opening for Hank Williams III. The band has released two heavily-circulated demos, and a full-length CD entitled "Dark Bar & A Jukebox" (Helltrain Records). They have been touring since the CD's release, and are the subject of an upcoming documentary road film by Wayward Souls Productions out of New Mexico.

Beverley insists that as long as he can, he will tour this land with a passion. He is intent on reaching that core of the American people who miss culture and reality in their music. With him and his band there are no gimmicks, no "outfits", and no boot-scootin' pop country. With J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters, all there is in the end, is "three chords and the truth!"

DISCOGRAPHY:

Highball - 2004 - self released CD. (Out of Print) VERY RARE

Live From The Heartland - self released CD. (Out of Print) VERY RARE

Dark Bar & A Jukebox CD - 2006 - Helltrain Records

Dark Bar & A Jukebox Vinyl Album - 2007 - Helltrain Records

NOTABLE FACTS:

- Guest performers on Dark Bar and A Jukebox include Ronnie McCoury,Andy Gibson, Donnie Herron, and Kenneth Brian. 

- Band toured for six weeks in 2005 as opening act for Hank Williams III

- Band received two awards from RAM RADIO for the Number 1 song in both 2005, and 2006.

EXTERNAL LINKS:

Official Band Website Band's Record Label's Website Band's MySpace Page