HOLLISTERS Honky-Tonk; Roots-Rock Houston, Texas; 1992 - The Rounders were a popular Houston hillbilly band formed by a mutton-chopped hunk of a man named Mike Barfield and guitarist Eric Danheim in the mid-1980s. Danheim left in the early '90s for Austin where he was briefly with the Wagoneers and then Chaparral. Meanwhile, the Rounders - with Danny Gardner taking Danheim's spot in the lineup - recorded one fine album of honky-tonk blues-a-billy in 1993 (Thrill-Billy Bop), but split up shortly thereafter. At about the same time, the "big things" planned for Chaparral failed to materialize, so Danheim returned to Houston, where he teamed up with Barfield to write songs and form a new group. They added a drummer (Kevin Fitzpatrick) and bassist (Denny Dale), called themselves the Hollisters (after a character on the Andy Griffith Show), and took up more or less where the Rounders left off. That means they started playing hardcore honky-tonk/country/rockabilly, fueled by Barfield's powerful baritone vocals and Danheim's ace lead guitar. For their recording debut - "Good for the Blues" on 1995's True Sounds of the New West compilation - Barfield and Danheim enlisted Austin stalwarts John Ludwick, Lisa Pankratz, and Casper Rawls (all of whom had been in Chaparral). Two years later, the Hollisters - with Casper Rawls producing - recorded their debut CD, The Land of Rhythm and Pleasure. Released on Austin-based Freedom Records, it's a potent blend of Texas musical styles from honky-tonk to Tex-Mex, including originals ("Good for The Blues"; "Tyler"; "Better Slow Down") and covers of Nick Lowe ("Without Love"), Tom Clifford ("Pike County Blues"), and Libbi Bosworth ("East Texas Pines"). In February 1999, the Hollisters' sophomore effort, and debut for Hightone Records, was released. Entitled Sweet Inspiration, the band was again produced by Casper Rawls (who also contributed plenty of guitar) and continued the band's roots-rock/honky-tonk sound. In addition to Rawls, the album also featured musical contributions from pianist Earl Ball (who played on The Byrds' landmark Sweetheart of the Rodeo LP) and Rawls' mate in the Toni Price band, fiddler Champ Hood. Since the album's release, original members Danheim and Fitzpatrick have left the band, their spots filled by Chris Miller and Tom Lewis, respectively. Current Lineup: Mike Barfield (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica); Chris Miller (lead guitar); Denny Dale (bass, vocals); Tom Lewis (drums) --David Goodman, author of Modern Twang: An Alternative Country Music Guide and Directory