The Time Jumpers was established in Nashville in 1998 when some of country music's best studio musicians began jamming at the Station Inn bluegrass club.
After setting up a regular gig performing country, swing, jazz and pop standards, The Time Jumpers began to attract a following that included some of music biggest stars, including Bonnie Raitt, Reba McEntire, Norah Jones, Robert Plant, The White Stripes, Kings Of Leon, Jimmy Buffet and Kelly Clarkson, according to information on its website.
Twenty-time Grammy winner and Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Vince Gill is among those who joined the jam session and have since become a member. He lends his vocal talents and plays electric and acoustic guitars.
Now on tour promoting its self-titled album, "The Time Jumpers," the band is set to perform 7:30 p.m. Friday at The University of Texas at Tyler's Cowan Center. Tickets range from $52 to $67 and can be purchased through the venue's website, cowancenter.org or at its box office before the show.
Other members are Brad Albin (upright bass), Larry Franklin (fiddle), Paul Franklin (steel guitar), "Ranger Doug" Green (vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar), Andy Reiss (electric guitar), Dawn Sears (vocals), Kenny Sears (vocals, fiddle), Joe Spivey (fiddle, vocals) Jeff Taylor (accordion, piano) and Billy Thomas (drums, vocals).
The new album follows the 2007 release of the band's live album "Jumpin' Time," which earned two Grammy nominations.
Who's Who in The Time Jumpers
Billy Thomas: Thomas has worked with Vince Gill as well as Patty Loveless, Emmylou Harris, Steve Wariner, Marty Stuart and Dolly Parton. He was a founding member of the trio McBride & The Ride.
Brad Albin: Albin has toured and/or recorded with Mandy Barnett, Joe Nichols, Jim Lauderdale and Sons of The Pioneers. He also works with Tennessee Repertory Theater and Nashville Children's Theatre.
Larry Franklin: Franklin began winning fiddling championships as a teenager. He has toured with Willie Nelson and was a member of Asleep at the Wheel
Vince Gill: The longtime recording star joined The Time Jumpers in 2010. He has sold millions of albums and has 20 Grammys and 18 Country Music Association awards.
Jeff Taylor: For years, Taylor was bandleader of the Ryman Auditorium's "Always, Patsy Cline" show and shows at Opryland and on the General Jackson showboat.
Dawn Sears: Sears received a break after performing on TV personality Ralph Emery's show. She toured as backup singer to Vince Gill.
Ranger Doug Green: Green has toured with Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys and is a founding member of Riders in the Sky. He sang "Woody's Roundup" in "Toy Story 2."
Paul Franklin: Franklin played pedal steel guitar in Barbara Mandrell's band and has recorded with Sting, Mark Knopfler, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Shania Twain, Barbara Streisand and Megadeth.
Joe Spivey: Spivey has been music director at Louisiana Hayride. He performed for years in John Anderson's band.
Andy Reiss: Reiss has played on hundreds of hit records, including B.J. Thomas' "Amazing Grace" and the Reba McEntire-Linda Davis duet, "Does He Love You?" ‑ both won a Grammy.
Kenny Sears: Sears performed with the band of the Big D Jamboree in Dallas and has toured with Mel Tillis, Ray Price, Faron Young and Dottie West.
