Josh Abbott Band

Biography

Josh Abbott Band is a Texas country band originally from Lubbock, composed of Josh Abbott, Edward Villanueva (percussion), David Fralin (keys/mandolin/harmonica/harmony vocals), Jimmy Hartman (bass guitar, harmony vocals), Kris Farrow (electric guitar, harmony vocals), and Adam Hill (fiddle). Former recent members include Preston Wait (fiddle, guitar, steel guitar), Caleb Keeter (guitar), Austin Davis (banjo), and Cale Richardson (guitar).

Biography

Josh Abbott founded the band in 2006 in Lubbock, Texas while attending Texas Tech University, where he was a member of the Texas Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta. He founded the band while in grad school with fraternity brothers Austin Davis, Neel Huey, and Andrew Hurt. The band recorded a 4-song demo including "Taste" in 2007 along with fiddler Preston Wait and began touring in 2008. Huey and Hurt dropped out to pursue careers while Preston Wait and Eddie Villanueva officially joined. The band then recorded their debut album “Scapegoat” in 2008 as well. Caleb Keeter and James Hertless joined in 2010, with Hertless eventually departing in 2018.
The sophomore album, She's Like Texas, followed in 2010 and entered the Top Country Albums chart. Michael Berick of Allmusic rated it four stars out of five, comparing it to Steve Earle and saying that Abbott's songwriting showed "maturity".
"She's Like Texas" includes the single "Oh, Tonight", which entered the Country Songs chart in early 2011 at #59 and peaked at #44.
In August 2015, the band announced their fourth studio album, titled Front Row Seat, a concept album detailing Abbott's relationship and failed marriage.
Josh Abbott Band's single "Wasn't That Drunk", featuring Carly Pearce, was released to radio on March 21, 2016. The band made their national television debut with the single on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on May 31, 2016, and performed "Amnesia" on CONAN on January 18, 2017.
On August 18, 2017, Josh Abbott Band released their 5th studio album, Until My Voice Goes Out, which included a string and horn section.
The band performed at the 2017 Route 91 Harvest, the scene of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.
In November 2020, the band released their 6th studio album, The Highway Kind, produced by Marshall Altman. This album featured songs like "Settle Me Down", "The Luckiest" and "The Highway Kind" which have become mainstays in the band's catalog.
The band toured consistently throughout Texas and the United States, and reconvened in 2022 to record their 7th studio album, Somewhere Down The Road.