Sawyer Brown Takes the Stage on Saturday at the Richland County Centennial Celebration

"There were five of us thinking that we can

This is the life and times of a travelin' band..."

Those words end the first verse of the title track to Sawyer Brown's new CD "Travelin' Band." The life and times of a traveling band-if ever there were a band who is well qualified to paint a picture of what it means to be a travelin' band, it's Sawyer Brown. Founded in 1981, the band celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, having played more than 4000 shows over the course of those years, logging mileage well into the seven figures. And as the band clearly shows in its new CD, the wheels are still turning and an ever-open road stretches out ahead.

Sawyer Brown has been singing our life back to us now over the course of twenty-three albums, and the Miller-produced "Travelin' Band" continues that rich tradition. The band has never been satisfied to concentrate only on the two or three songs that might become radio singles; they view an album as offering a more complete picture than that. "We have always wanted there to be a reason for someone to buy and to listen to the entire album," Miller says. "Maybe on any given day, you're drawn to the up-tempo stuff-but maybe the very next day, it's one of the ballads that hits home. I know it's like that for me as a music listener." Hubbard adds, "That's one of the great things about music-the connection it makes. And the fact that different songs forge different connections for me when I listen to music keeps me believing-keeps us believing-that= every song matters."

Sawyer Brown is about connection. In fact, it's likely safe to say that connection continues to be the driving force of the band. As note connects to note, as singer connects to listener, as each mile of road connects to the one that follows it, the band senses-and forges-those connections every time they record and every time they hit the stage. "I'm a real believer that things happen for a reason-that they unfold the way they do because there's Someone bigger than us driving this bus," Miller says. "We know we still have a lot of miles in us. We've got our bags packed, got our gear ready, and we've got plenty to sing about. We want to see where the trip takes us next."

Wherever that may be, the lyrics to "Travelin' Band" will come to life-

And now I'd like to take this time to thank you

And though it's been a long and winding road

I count my blessings when I see your faces

And I look down at this guitar in my hand

And I take my place on the stage In a travelin' band. I'm in a travelin' band. Join Sawyer Brown at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 14th at the Richland County Fairgrounds for a FREE concert sponsored by Richland County.