Josh Abbott Band is a Texas country band originally from Lubbock, composed of Josh Abbott (vocals, guitar), Austin Davis (banjo), Preston Wait (fiddle, guitar, steel), Edward Villanueva (drums), Caleb Keeter (guitar), David Fralin (keys/mandolin), and Jimmy Hartman (bass guitar).
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 4 stars out of 5, comparing it to Steve Earle and saying that Abbott's songwriting showed "maturity". They had their first sell-out crowd at "Billy Bobs Texas" in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards on February 10, 2010, selling 6,000 tickets.
"She's Like Texas" includes the single "Oh, Tonight", which entered the Country Songs chart in early 2011 at #59 and peaked at #44. The song is a duet with Kacey Musgraves, the Nashville Star Season 5 finalist and Universal Music recording artist.
The band's third CD, Small Town Family Dream, was released on April 24, 2012. It was their highest charting album, debuting at #5 on Top Country Albums, selling 21,000 copies in the US in its first week.
Wade BowenView profile
Casey DonahewView profile
Randy Rogers BandView profile
Aaron WatsonView profile
Reckless KellyView profile
Cody JohnsonView profile
Parker McCollumView profile
Eric ChurchView profile