Turnpike Troubadours

History

The band was formed in 2005 by Evan Felker and R.C. Edwards. Their debut album, Bossier City, was recorded a month after the formation of the band, in order to have a recording to sell at live shows. Felker later said the musical arrangements were "not a good representation" of what the band later became.

Their sophomore album, Diamonds & Gasoline, followed in 2010.

The songs "Easton and Main" and "Bossier City" were re-recorded for their 2015 self-titled album. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

In October 2017, the album A Long Way from Your Heart was released, peaking at number three on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

Following a string of poor performances in late 2018, stemming from Felker's insobriety, the band was forced to cancel 12 shows slated to be held in the weeks to follow, returning on November 30 to play at ACL Live. Felker's personal battles continued the following year, spurring the band to cancel all remaining tour dates. It left the band's future undecided but noting a possible return to the stage once "everyone is of strong mind, body and spirit and can deliver what our fans deserve."

In November 2021, the band's Instagram was cleaned of all previous posts and their website displayed only the band's logo and a message that read "Coming Soon". In January 2022, the band announced their long-awaited reunion and return to live performances, holding their first shows on April 8–9, 2022 at Cain's Ballroom. One month later, another two-night run of shows were held May 14–15 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

On August 25, 2023, the band released their album A Cat in the Rain after releasing three earlier singles: "Mean Old Sun," "Chipping Mill," and "Brought Me."

On April 11, 2025, the band released a surprise album The Price of Admission, an 11-track record dropped prior to The Boys of Oklahoma concerts with Cross Canadian Ragweed in Stillwater, OK. This is their sixth studio album, and the second produced by Shooter Jennings.

Musical style, composition, and influences

Critically, the Turnpike Troubadours' musical style has been labeled as primarily country music and its respective subgenres, such as red dirt, honky-tonk, Americana, neotraditional country, and country rock. Mark Deming of AllMusic referred to the Turnpike Troubadours as a "country-leaning roots rock band," with elements of political folk music, honky-tonk, bluegrass, Cajun music, and rock.

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, band co-founder and bassist RC Edwards identified the band's musical style as honky-tonk.

Band members

Current

• RC Edwards
• Kyle Nix
• Ryan Engleman
• Evan Felker
• Gabriel Pearson
• Hank Early Past
• John Fullbright
• Casey Sliger
• Chad Masters
• Giovanni "Nooch" Carnuccio III
• Luke Savage

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Music videos

References

References

1. Liptak, Carena. (December 10, 2021). "Who Are the Turnpike Troubadours? A Timeline of the Band's Rise, Hiatus and Return".
2. "Evan Felker of Turnpike Troubadours talks on the band's success ahead of its Cain's show". Tulsa World.
3. "''Diamonds & Gasoline''". AllMusic.
4. Leahey, Andrew. (2015-09-30). "Turnpike Troubadours' New Album Trumps Chart Regulars".
5. Freeman, Jon. (October 30, 2018). "Turnpike Troubadours Cancel Concerts for 'Situation That Needs Our Complete Attention'".
6. Freeman, Jon. (May 31, 2019). "Turnpike Troubadours Cancel Tour Dates, Announce Hiatus".
7. Crutchmer, Josh. (May 3, 2023). "Turnpike Troubadours Talk Anticipated New Comeback Album and Real Reason Behind the Breakup".
8. (November 30, 2021). "Turnpike Troubadours Reunite, Announce 2022 Show". The Boot.
9. (January 12, 2022). "Turnpike Troubadours will play Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa".
10. Crutchmer, Josh. (April 9, 2022). "Turnpike Troubadours Reunited to Play Their First Show in 3 Years -- Grown Men Cried".
11. (November 30, 2021). "Exclusive: Turnpike Troubadours Talk Unexpected Hiatus, Newfound Sobriety, and Surprise Reunion".
12. Winograd, Jeremy. (August 20, 2023). "Turnpike Troubadours 'A Cat in the Rain' Review".
13. (April 11, 2025). "'NO BULLSHIT, NO LAG': WHY TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS WASTED NO TIME IN DROPPING SURPRISE NEW ALBUM".
14. (August 24, 2023). "Turnpike Troubadours' Triumphant Return".
15. (August 2, 2022). "CONCERT REVIEW: Turnpike Troubadours' Red Dirt Reunion Rocks Nashville's Ryman Auditorium".
16. (May 8, 2022). "The Turnpike Troubadours Bring Red Dirt Country Back To Houston".
17. (August 25, 2023). "Avett Brothers and Turnpike Troubadours combine for strong arena show in Lincoln". [[Lincoln Journal Star]].
18. (October 9, 2023). "Jason Isbell Says Evan Felker's Comeback Spurred Him to Join Turnpike Troubadours' Arena Shows".
19. (February 28, 2023). "A guide to all the artists playing the Houston Rodeo this year". [[Houston Chronicle]].
20. Leggett, Steve. "Turnpike Troubadours Biography". [[Allmusic]].
21. (January 17, 2019). "Turnpike Troubadours are giving that road thing a go again".
22. "Turnpike Troubadours Chart History – Independent Albums".
23. "Turnpike Troubadours Chart History – Folk Albums".
24. "Turnpike Troubadours Chart History – Rock Albums".
25. "''Bossier City''". AllMusic.
26. "Upcoming Releases". HITS Digital Ventures.
27. Bjorke, Matt. (January 19, 2016). "Top 10 Country Albums Chart: January 19, 2016". Roughstock.
28. Bjorke, Matt. (March 27, 2018). "Top 10 Country Album Sales Chart: March 27, 2018". Roughstock.
29. (January 30, 2026). "Billboard Country Update".
30. "CMT : Videos : Turnpike Troubadours : Gin, Smoke, Lies". [[Country Music Television]].
31. "CMT : Videos : Turnpike Troubadours : Down Here". [[Country Music Television]].
32. (May 4, 2023). "Mean Old Sun : Videos : Turnpike Troubadours : Mean Old Sun".