is an
American musical group whose style blends elements of
Alternative Rock ,
Folk , and Southern rock.
The band came together in the vibrant college town of
Gainesville, Florida , and while most local bands never got out of the small city, Sister Hazel's popularity grew until the band was recognized all over the country. The group prides itself on being down to earth, devoting much of their time to fans and charity events.
Sister Hazel released their first, self-titled debut album independently through their own label, Croakin Poets. Neither
Ryan Newell nor
Mark Trojanowski were in the band when the self-titled (otherwise known by fans as the "White Album") was originally released.
Their second album, ''
...Somewhere More Familiar '', sold approximately 30,000 copies through its initial pressing, prompting
Universal Records to sign the band.
Universal re-released ''..Somewhere More Familiar'' and, together with the band's second label release ''Fortress'', the two releases feature the band's most successful hit songs: All For You, Change Your Mind, and Champagne High.
The 2003 year was a busy one for the band. After an amicable split with Universal, they released their fourth studio album on the Sixthman label, ''Chasing Daylight'', and toured throughout the year in support. The band's internet presence emerged most prominently during this time period, and hardcore devotees dubbing themselves "Hazelnuts" meticulously studied setlists, shared .
A pair of new studio releases followed: 2004's ''Lift'', a full-length studio CD, and 2005's ''Lift: Acoustic Renditions'', an EP of studio acoustic takes on five of the Lift songs, offered exclusively online through
Apple 's
ITunes music service. There has been one re-release: in July 2005, the self-titled debut album was issued again by Sixthman, answering complaints that it had become difficult to find the out-of-print debut album in stores.
Sister Hazel is currently working on another studio release however, even while recording, the band continues to tour and hold their annual fan-based events,
The Rock Slope and
The Rock Boat .
The
National League Baseball team
Arizona Diamondbacks use "All For You" and "Happy" frequently as stadium music between innings at their home field,
Bank One Ballpark .
The band has had music in several movies and soundtracks including '''s Rumors'' and, the recorded yet never released
Big Star tribute album.
The band's members are:
#
Ken Block - lead singer/
Acoustic Guitar ist
#
Jett Beres -
Bass ist
#
Andrew Copeland -
Rhythm Guitar ist
#
Ryan Newell - lead
Guitar ist
#
Mark Trojanowski -
Drum mer
#''
Chasing Daylight - Acoustic EP '' - August
2004
#'''' - April
2005 (iTunes exclusive)
