BR5-49 is an American country music band. Founded in 1993, the band originally comprised Gary Bennett (lead and background vocals, acoustic guitar), Don Herron (steel guitar, Dobro, fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar), "Smilin'" Jay McDowell (upright bass), Chuck Mead (lead band background vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar), and "Hawk" Shaw Wilson (drums, background vocals). The band's first release for Arista Nashville was an extended play entitled Live at Robert's, which comprised of original and cover songs. Following in 1996 was their full-length debut album, also titled BR5-49. The album's single 'Cherokee Boogie' (a cover of a Moon Mullican song) reached No44 on the Billboard country singles charts in the US, and No21 on the RPM country charts in Canada. Following this song were 'Even If It's Wrong' and 'Little Ramona (Gone Hillbilly Nuts)', which respectively reached No68 and No61 in the US. The album itself was a No 33 on the Top Country Albums charts. The band also toured with The Mavericks, Junior Brown, and The Black Crowes . BR5-49's second album, Big Backyard Beat Show, was released in 1998 and despite not producing a chart single, this album reached No38 on the Top Country Albums charts.