The band was formed in 1985, soon after
Kevn Kinney had relocated to Atlanta from
Milwaukee. Kinney was working at a sewage treatment plant by day, and was playing folk music at night. He met Frank French at the latter's recording studio, Dragon Path Music, and the two soon began writing original songs at night, sometimes while working at French's shop, Far East Futon Company. Kinney also joined forces with Tim Nielsen, who was in a popular band called the Nightporters, with drummer Paul Lenz. The band's name, Drivin N Cryin was chosen from one of Kinney's many songs that reflected the two directions of the band's music. In 1986, having become one of Atlanta's top club draws, the band signed with independent label 688 Records. The band's first album,
Scarred But Smarter, helped them land many tour dates and later a contract with
Island Records. In 1987, Lenz left and was replaced by Jeff Sullivan, who was recruited just in time to accompany the band for its first major-label release. Sullivan had been the drummer for Mr. Crowes Garden, which later became
The Black Crowes, prior to joining Drivin N Cryin. Fowler was officially asked to join the band on a more permanent level (though not as an official member) in 1988, after many on-stage appearances with the group. The band released its first album for Island,
Whisper Tames the Lion, produced by
Anton Fier, in early 1988. The next few years the band toured with artists such as
Neil Young and
Soul Asylum. In 1993, the band released another album produced by Geoff Workman, entitled
Smoke, This album was another rocker, but failed to catch on with the public as had its predecessor. Starting in 2012, the band began a series of
EPs, each composed of tracks addressing a particular theme. The first,
Songs from the Laundromat was released June 12, followed by
Songs About Cars, Space and The Ramones on September 18. On March 5, 2013,
Songs From The Psychedelic Time Clock was released. The final release of the EP series was
Songs For The Turntable, released January 14, 2014. In 2012, a documentary about the band titled
Scarred but Smarter: Life n Times of Drivin N Cryin was produced by Atlanta radio host, Eric Von Haessler (The Von Haessler Doctrine), . In 2015, Drivin N Cryin was inducted into the
Georgia Music Hall of Fame. In 2016 the band supported
Dan Baird & Homemade Sin on the UK leg of their European tour and were augmented again by guitarist
Warner E. Hodges. Kevn Kinney has also maintained a solo career over the years. He released his first solo album, the acoustic
MacDougal Blues in 1990. This was followed by
Down Out Law in 1994, and
The Flower And The Knife in 2000. The latter featured guests such as
Blues Traveler's
John Popper,
Edwin McCain, and members of
Gov't Mule and
the Allman Brothers Band. He has released five more solo albums since, and frequently performs live as a solo artist, including live collaborations with
Peter Buck of
R.E.M. ==Discography==