Join me Sunday July 6th for the Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight as we feature Shenandoah at 11 a.m.  The Country Classic Show kicks off at 9 a.m.

Most country groups of the 80's favored the commercial pop sounding music. The trouble with that is in most cases it alienated many traditional listeners.  Shenandoah was one of the first groups to rebel against the urban cowboy image of the 80's and lead the way to the new tradition of the 90's.

The band was founded in 1984 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.  The groups self titled album was released in 1987, it reached the Country Top 30 early in 1988 with Stop the Rain.  The following year they released Road Not Taken, which was more traditional country and became their most successful album.  Six singles reached the country top ten, led by The Church on Cumberland Road, Sunday in the South and my favorite, Two Dozen Roses.  All four songs went to number one on the country chart and Next to You, Next to Me stayed at the top for three weeks in 1990.

Despite their successes trouble was brewing.  Three other bands came forward in 1991 claiming the Shenandoah name.  The band settled the difference by 1992 and returned to country music with their name Shenandoah.  They recently played at Rollies Rednecks and Long necks in Sauk Rapids and packed the house.  If you didn't see them be sure to join me Sunday at 11 a.m.

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