Formed from the vestiges of the Minneapolis-based Lo-Fi Indy Rock group the Wobblies, Roy Hubbs began their search for Country purity in the late fall of 2000. After several years, three releases, and a national tour playing Rock a/o Roll, both singer/guitarists Erik Soley and Andy Strom were a bit burnt out on the local rock scene.

Since both had been writing Country material for a few years, and because they had listened to it since their youth, it seemed a natural place to turn for inspiration. They had already released an EP with the original Country tune, Right Time of the Night, featuring local steel wizard Joe Savage (Trailer Trash, Ménage-A-Twang), and had a thirst for more. The name, Roy Hubbs, comes from a pen name that Soley used when writing Country tunes, mainly because he thought the name sounded like the legends he had grown up with (one part Roy Acuff, one part Ernest Tubbs, perhaps?).

Enter drummer/guitarist Sean Gilchrist, who actually answered an ad to replace the vacated skins slot in the Wobblies. He had recently acquired a taste for the Hard Country sound, and shared a love of both Country and Lo-Fi, and especially where the two sounds meet. Additionally, Sean had written some songs that were in the Country vein, but had no forum for them.

Next, since none of the three played Country lead instruments, they set out to find the best players they could find [and afford!]. After several months of rehearsing (and very few auditions), the group were quite fortunate to find local musicians Maureen M. Smith (fiddle) and Jeff Waldeland (pedal steel, mandolin). Together, they filled the all-important lead instrument slots that flesh out the sound of Roy Hubbs.

Roy Hubbs was ready to put together a recording, and started collecting songs. Originally intending to record a 5 or 6-song EP, the 3 person writing team produced an excess of 20 songs, and were truly obligated to put together a full-length album-the ground was more fertile than expected. Much more.

Off to New Moon Studios in South Minneapolis to record with their old pal Brad Moe. Brad had recently acquired a 2 inch reel-to-reel machine (affectionately named Big Bertha), and had no idea what to do with his vintage fifties ribbon microphones that had collected dust for years. Roy Hubbs was MORE than happy to take advantage of this equipment, and recorded the basic tracks for the album in one day. Searching for that live-sounding, raw quality that many of their favorite artists had achieved, most of the album, later named Essential, was recorded in less than 5 takes with few effects, and fewer overdubs.

Since that time, Roy Hubbs has played several shows in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, including shows with local heavyweights Bellwether and Ol Yeller, as well as playing shows at legendary local venues, such as the 400 Bar, 7th Street Entry, The Uptown, The Terminal, The Turf Club, and headlining Lees Liquor Lounge. Their rather eclectic Hard Country sound is very unique to the area, and spurned enough interest for Minnesota Public Radio to produce a story about the band. They have also been featured on the local public station KFAI, where they have been played by three different DJs.