Drivin N Cryin’s roots-forward sound and uncompromising spirit have made them a vital force in American music since 1985. Blending Southern rock grit, folk storytelling, and hard-charging rock & roll, the band built a reputation early on as a must-see live act and a songwriter’s band with depth far beyond trends.
Led by singer-songwriter Kevn Kinney and anchored by bassist Tim Nielsen and drummer Dave Johnson, Drivin N Cryin broke through nationally with a run of influential albums that helped define late-’80s and early-’90s American rock. Songs like “Fly Me Courageous,” “Honeysuckle Blue,” “Straight to Hell,” “Build a Fire,” and “Scarred But Smarter” became staples of rock and AAA radio, with Fly Me Courageous earning Gold certification and remains a cornerstone of the band’s catalog.
The band’s stature is reflected in both peer respect and formal recognition, including induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. Touring history includes shared stages with artists spanning multiple eras and genres: The Who, Hootie & The Blowfish, The Black Crowes, ZZ Top, Soul Asylum, Blackberry Smoke, The Marshall Tucker Band, and Jason Isbell.
Their latest album, Crushing Flowers, marks a return to the band’s core as a stripped back trio, and is a back-to-basics statement. Rather than chasing nostalgia or novelty, Crushing Flowers reinforces what has always set Drivin N Cryin apart: honest songs and emotional weight, and the unmistakable sound of a band still fully engaged in the work. Drivin N Cryin remains a living, breathing American rock band — not a revival act, not a footnote, but a continuing story still being written.
This performance is part of the Decatur WatchFest ‘26 concert series bringing big names as well as local and national artists to the Decatur Square throughout the 34 days of the FIFA World Cup 26™ tournament.
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Decatur WatchFest ‘26 musical acts are produced in partnership with Amplify My Community, which produces the annual Amplify Decatur Music Festival.
