The Cryers

It was in the vibrant Meridian, Mississippi music scene, among such compatriots as Steve Forbert, Chris Ethridge and Paul Davis that Lowry Hamner founded The Cryers. After completing demos with Kyle Lehning, who later produced Randy Travis, opportunities as a solo artist opened up for Hamner, but his commitment to The Cryers instead motivated a move to New York City's East Village. Playing such legendary New York clubs as CBGB's and Max's Kansas City led to Hamner and The Cryers being signed to Mercury Records by Steve Katz of Blood, Sweat and Tears, and The Blues Project fame, where they recorded two highly praised albums. The Band's Garth Hudson played with Lowry Hamner and the Cryers on the second of their two albums recorded for the Mercury label, 'Midnight Run' (the first one was titled 'The Cryers', a true power pop masterpiece one track from which one track, called "Shake It Up (Ain't It Time?)" was featured on Rhino's DIY compilation of American power Pop Vol.2 entitled 'Shake It Up').  [SOURCE: THE BAND]