Back Row Baptists

Contrary to popular belief, The Back Row Baptists did not meet in prison or church. Instead, this band of seasoned troubadours was born out of the dive bars and local taverns of The Magic City – Birmingham, Alabama – and their sound conjures up an eclectic mix of Gospel, punk and Americana music.




“People tend to label us Alternative Country and/or Outlaw Country,” says front man Chris Porter. “We are Outlaw Gospel. Don’t let the name fool you. Our music is not religious. But it is Gospel all the same. We make real music for real people.”



Taking the lead after a creative stint with the critically acclaimed Stolen Roses, Porter first recruited Heath Green on keys and vocals and Sarah Green on percussion and vocals for the then unnamed project. Adam Guthrie, a close friend and band mate to Heath Green, was called in for some guitar work for the new project. Instead of bringing a guitar, he brought three ukuleles a balalaika and a guitaron. The addition of bassist and banjo-player extraordinaire Jay Taylor solidified the line-up in 2009.



Each member of The Back Row Baptists brings something unique to the band. The result is a whole greater than the sum of its parts, a melting pot of personalities.



“Sarah is sweet and pretty, all the way down to the songs on which she sings lead and I’m the one that screams and kicks shit, but it works,” says Porter. “You look at us and we’re southern as shit. We’re as dirty and drunk as you would expect but we’re not rednecks. Neither are the people that I write these songs about. These are real stories about real things that happen to real people. There is something in this band for everyone and everyone will get something different out of our music”



Most of all, The Back Row Baptists pride themselves on not being your ordinary, run of the mill, grassroots band. Their uniquely southern songs are poignant and dark; but that’s what the band calls “keeping it real”.



“My tunes are about as dark as they come. It’s not all pretty and sunny down here and my songs are going to end the way they have to end. As a songwriter I’m not scared to write about death, and as a southerner I’m not scared to speak my mind.”



Currently, The Back Row Baptists are touring in support of their highly-anticipated June 1, 2010 debut release “Broken Hearts and Bad Decisions” on Vintage Earth Music.