At a time when pure pop songs were difficult to come by, Blues Traveler found some success through this song. All their touring was paying off; even David Letterman recognized them!
Blues Traveler, led by harmonica player John Popper, is a rock band famous for hits such as Run Around, Hook, and But Anyway.
1. I’m a fool
Blues Travelers have established themselves as leaders of the reemerging jam band movement of the 1990s with their international tour schedule, playing to sold-out crowds around the globe. Led by harmonica virtuoso John Popper, they create a loose-limbed rock that takes its influence from Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, and Phish as much as Spin Doctors or others.
Blues Traveler was formed in 1987 when its members met in their drummer’s basement in Princeton, NJ, to jam. Vocalist/harmonica player Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, and bassist Bobby Sheehan initially comprised its original lineup. Sheehan eventually left, leading them to record their debut album Blues Traveler in 1990 after touring extensively – they then released two additional albums called Travelers & Thieves and Save His Soul later that same year after touring extensively – after which, in 1992, they created H.O.R.D.E festival rivaling Jane’s Addiction’s Lollapalooza festival that saw them release four hit singles: Four, Live From The Fall and Straight Till Morning respectively!
2. I’m a fool
Blues Traveler caught the attention of A&M Records talent scouts at one of their New York shows and were soon on tour, dropping out of college and releasing their debut album Blues Traveler and then following it up with Travelers and Thieves the following year.
Blues Traveler was an integral part of the reemerging jam band scene during the ’90s, spearheading H.O.R.D.E touring music festivals and becoming known for their innovative use of segues during live performances.
They are best known for their eclectic musical stylings. They performed at Woodstock ’94 and played “But Anyway” over the closing credits in 1996’s Kingpin movie. Since then, they have sold millions of albums; their current lineup consists of singer/harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, bassist Bobby Sheehan, and drummer Brendan Hill.
3. I’m a fool
Blues Traveler return to basics following 2021’s Grammy-nominated cover album Traveler’s Blues with their 15th full-length record Traveler’s Soul, offering up classic R&B/Soul songs alongside special guests Pat Monahan of Train, Valerie June, Alisan Porter, and Daisha McBride on this project.
Blues Traveler has entertained millions during their illustrious career, performing over 2,000 shows before 30 million people and holding the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history with “Run-Around.” Additionally, they’re television favorites, appearing regularly on Saturday Night Live, Austin City Limits, and VH1’s Behind the Music, and holding the record for most appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman.
John Popper, Chan Kinchla, Brendan Hill, and Bobby Sheehan met for an informal jam session in their drummer’s parents’ basement in Princeton, NJ; this high school band would later evolve into Blues Traveler.
4. I’m a fool
Blues Traveler was formed in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987. Their lineup comprises singer/harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, bassist Bobby Sheehan, and drummer Brendan Hill – known for their extensive use of segues during live performances and being an essential component of the reemerging jam band scene in the 1990s by spearheading H.O.R.D.E. touring music festival.
In 1994, they reached an even wider audience with their fourth album, Four. “Run-Around” and the album’s hit single, “Hook,” came to the Top 40 on Billboard charts.
Blues Traveler has held annual performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado since 1995, recording and releasing Live on the Rocks and Thinnest of Air recordings of these shows. Following Sheehan’s death in 2000, Blues Traveler conducted auditions in concert to find a permanent bassist – they chose Tad Kinchla – younger brother of Chan Kinchla, as the new one.
5. I’m a fool
Blues Traveler was formed in New York by singer/harmonica player John Popper and guitarist Chan Kinchla alongside bassist Bobby Sheehan and drummer Brendan Hill as part of the 90’s jam band revival movement over several years of touring relentlessly and producing three foundation-building albums before finally breaking through with their fourth, Four.
Named after an accidental meeting with a black cat that appeared at one of their performances and looked similar to Gozer the Traveler from The Ghostbusters movie,
Every July 4 since 1994, The band has performed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, on America’s Independence Day (July 4). In 2007, they released Cover Yourself, an album consisting of their earlier hits recorded acoustically that received a nomination for a Grammy Award and has become an essential element of live performances.
6. I’m a fool
Blues Traveler was formed when its members assembled for an initial jam session at Brendan Hill’s parents’ basement in Princeton, New Jersey 1987. A black cat appeared during this initial gathering and took it as an omen that they should become Blues Travelers; over time, this name stuck, and Blues Traveler quickly established itself on the jam band scene of the 1990s.
Before debuting with their fourth studio album, Four, in 1994, they released three foundational albums before entering mainstream consciousness with its release. College radio audiences took notice and soon became regular attendees at shows where the group would perform across the United States.
Blues Traveler held auditions and ultimately chose Chan Kinchla’s younger brother Tad as their new bassist after Bobby Sheehan died, touring and recording, including playing Woodstock ’94 and appearing on Saturday Night Live season premiere show.
7. I’m a fool
Blues Traveler was formed in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987. Comprised singer/harmonica virtuoso John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, bassist Bobby Sheehan, and drummer Brendan Hill, known for their extended jamming performances and improvisational style.
H.O.R.D.E was part of the reemerging jam band scene of the 90s, leading a tour similar to Jane’s Addiction’s Lollapalooza music festival called H.O.R.D.E (Home Of Rock And Roll Distribution Experience). Their first three albums sold modestly; however, their fourth one, Four, charted in the top 20.
In the 1995 comedy film Kingpin, they made a cameo appearance singing “But Anyway.” Their name was inspired by two sources – one being an encounter with a black cat that crossed members’ paths as they passed by, and two from Ghostbusters, where its main demon, Gozer the Traveler, is depicted onscreen.
8. I’m a fool
Blues Traveler, led by harmonica prodigy John Popper and one of the earliest examples of the “jam band” movement that later gave rise to Phish and the Spin Doctors, were one of the earliest acts to pioneer loose-limbed rock indebted to both Grateful Dead and Bruce Springsteen; their live shows can last three hours or longer!
Blues Traveler had only modest sales with their initial three albums; however, 1994’s Four was an instantaneous hit and soon after that went platinum, catapulting Blues Traveler to national renown.
After Bobby Sheehan died in 1999, Blues Traveler auditioned several possible replacements before choosing Chan Kinchla’s younger brother Tad as their replacement bassist. Since then, Blues Traveler have performed tirelessly on tour, appearing in more episodes of David Letterman than any other musical artist; additionally, they spearheaded HORDE (Horizons of Rock Developing Everywhere), an ongoing touring music festival that included Jane’s Addiction and Widespread Panic among its participants.
9. I’m a fool
Blues Traveler was at the forefront of a new wave of jam bands in the 90s. Drawing attention with sweaty improvisations and founding the H.O.R.D.E touring festival in 1992, they quickly earned a loyal fan base that supported them as mainstream hit “Run-Around” reached Number Ten that year and propelled them further towards mainstream success.
Traveler’s Blues was released by the band in 2021 and nominated for a Grammy. Guests such as Keb Mo, Christone Kingfish Ingram, and Warren Haynes were featured as guest musicians.
The band formed in 1987 when singer/harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, and bassist Bobby Sheehan met to jam at their drummer’s parent’s basement in Princeton, NJ. Blues Traveler was released that same year; since then, they have continued touring and recording, with albums including Save His Soul Four and Live from the Fall released over time.
10. I’m a fool
John Popper, Chandler Kinchla, and Brendan Hill formed Blues Traveler in 1987 in John’s parent’s basement before performing at various gigs around town and recording several albums, including their double live release What You and I Have Been Through/Truth Be Told.
This band is known for its signature improvisational jam performances with frequent segues during live shows. A key figure in the revival of jam band music in the 90s, they also spearheaded H.O.R.D.E touring music festivals.
Blues Traveler have appeared on television programs such as VH1’s Behind the Music and Austin City Limits. Their music can be heard in video games, commercials (Busch Beer), Sandra Boynton children’s album Dog Train, and Sandra Boynton children’s album Dog Train by Sandra Boynton. Furthermore, two-holiday albums by Blues Traveler were recently released, along with an annual tradition of performing at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Independence Day.
