The breakup of one of New Jersey’s most popular bands has produced another promising lineup all too ready to fill the void. Todd Scheaffer, lead singer of From Good Homes now fronts Railroad Earth, a Stillwater-based sextet that defies genre and defines eclectic with a rootsy blend of bluegrass, rock, jazz, Celtic and Americana. Originating as an informal acoustic jam session amongst professional musicians, Railroad Earth has amassed a huge following through incessant touring, and recently released their fourth studio album Amen Corner. Learn more about the making of the record in this edition of the Songlines podcast.

 

 Railroad Earth podcast [4:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (141)

The band’s popularity on the jam circuit has allowed them the opportunity to play with some of rock’s finest, including Phil Lesh who employed them as his “friends” on Phil Lesh & Friends, and even learned some of their repertoire. Check out this video of Railroad Earth returning the favor with a rendition of the Grateful Dead’s “Casey Jones.”