Drivin' n' Cryin' is an American Southern rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, United States. History The band was formed in 1985 in Atlanta when Kevin Kinney hooked up with Frank French at the latter's recording studio, Dragon Path Music, and began working on original songs at night and working at times at French's shop "Far East Futon Company" in Atlanta. Kinney also hooked up with Tim Nielsen, who was in a popular band called the Nightporters with drummer Paul Lenz. Kinney had just moved to Georgia from Milwaukee and was working in a sewage-treatment plant by day, while playing folk gigs by night. 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. The band first signed with independent label 688 Records in 1986, after becoming one of Atlanta's top club draws. The band's first album, Scarred But Smarter, helped the band 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'. The same year, the band held its first “Benefit For The Hopeful,” a concert to raise money for Atlanta homeless organizations, held annually on December 8, the anniversary of John Lennon's death. Fellow Georgian band R.E.M.'s guitar tech and touring rhythm guitarist Buren Fowler joined the trio at this time as well. 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 album peaked at No. 130 on the Billboard 200. College radio success (and some commercial) accumulated with airplay of the songs "Can't Promise You The World" (for which the band filmed its first video) and "Powerhouse." 1989 marked the release of Mystery Road, including live staples such as "Honeysuckle Blue" and "Straight To Hell." In 1991, the band released the hard-rocking Fly Me Courageous. Produced by Geoff Workman, the album became the band's most commercially successful album and would be certified gold. The next few years the band