Heartsfield - Signature Series: Collectors Item (1977)

Country-rockers Heartsfield emerged during the '70s halcyon days of that genre; however, despite major-label releases and arena tours with the likes of the Doobie Brothers, Eric Clapton, and Fleetwood Mac, the group never experienced the success of peers like the Eagles or the Pure Prairie League. The band's most recognizable tune from that era was "Music Eyes," which hit number 95 on Billboard in 1974. Heartsfield were known for their vocal harmonies and layers of rootsy instrumentation (characterized by accents of pedal steel, dobro, banjo, mandolin, dobro, etc.) and have been credited with influencing such monster '90s acts as the Dave Matthews Band and Phish. The group was also known for their grueling, Grateful Dead-like touring ethic, which saw them playing 300 shows a year throughout the '70s. (And, like that aforementioned group, Heartsfield also had a propensity for extended jams.) Heartsfield disbanded in 1981 after a decade together. Co-founder Perry Jordan reorganized the band in 1999 with new members, releasing the album Rescue the Dog in April of 2001.~Erik Hage