The Lost Trailers

History

Stokes Nielson and Ryder Lee began writing and producing music together in Albany, Georgia. Their first album together was the self-issued The Story of the New Age Cowboy in 2000. Initially, Ryder and Stokes worked with a bass guitarist and a drummer, forming a group known as Stokes Nielson & The Lost Trailers (later shortened to The Lost Trailers). The name was derived from the fact that the band's equipment trailers had been stolen on three separate occasions.

At the time, Stokes Nielson was also working as a disc jockey for a radio station in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2000, after an on-air interview with Willie Nelson, Stokes offered him a demo version of The Lost Trailers' material. Nelson then offered the band an opportunity to play at a Fourth of July picnic, which he held annually in Texas. Stokes took to the role of lead singer, while Ryder played keyboards and provided backing vocals.

Eventually, the band's membership was later finalized with Lee on keyboards, Stokes' younger brother, Andrew, on bass guitar, Jeff Potter on drums, and Manny Medina on bass guitar. The band then gained a following throughout the Southeast and Texas, performing more than 200 shows yearly.

First albums

In 2002, The Lost Trailers recorded their second album, entitled Trailer Trash. A third album, Welcome to the Woods, followed two years later on Universal/Republic Records, although its singles failed to chart.

Record producer Blake Chancey, who has worked with the Dixie Chicks and Waylon Jennings, saw the band perform at a concert in Fort Worth, Texas, and offered to work with them. Renee Bell, a talent executive for BNA Records, had also seen The Lost Trailers perform at another concert. She then recommended the band to the label's president, and The Lost Trailers were signed to a recording contract with BNA in 2006. At this point, Lee took over the role of lead vocalist. Their first chart single, "Chicken Fried", was released in early 2006, peaking at number 53 on the Hot Country Songs charts. This single was withdrawn because Zac Brown, who wrote the song, had changed his mind about licensing it to the label, and he wanted to record the song himself. Brown ultimately recorded the song as a member of the Zac Brown Band, whose rendition was a Number One hit in late 2008.

"Chicken Fried" was then withdrawn and replaced with "Call Me Crazy", which went on to peak at number 43. Following it was "Why Me", which reached number 45. These latter two songs were both included on The Lost Trailers' self-titled album for BNA, which was issued in August of that year.

2008

In 2008, The Lost Trailers went on a nationwide tour with fellow country music artists Keith Anderson and Chris Young. The band's fourth single for BNA, "Holler Back", was released in early 2008. "Holler Back", which reached #9 on the country charts in late 2008, is also the title track to the band's second album for BNA. The band was also nominated for Top New Vocal Duo or Group and Top Vocal Group at the 2009 Academy of Country Music awards.

Following "Holler Back" was "How 'bout You Don't", which was released in October and peaked in the Top 20. "All This Love" was originally to have been the third single, but after "Country Folks Livin' Loud" charted as an album cut, it was sent to radio as the third single instead. They have been nominated again for the 2010 Academy of Country Music Top New Vocal Group.

In May 2010, the band announced that it would disband following its last concerts in September.

2011

In 2011, The Lost Trailers released a collaboration single with Corbette Jackson, entitled "Heart Of A Champion." The song, penned by Nielson and Jackson, is inspired by Coweta County Firefighter Chris Landreau's fight against Stage 4 Cancer. Stokes Nielson also performed a special concert in Albany, Georgia with Jackson and Jason Wyatt.

After several band members left to pursue other interests, Stokes Nielson started over with The Lost Trailers, joining with collaborator and lead vocalist Jason Wyatt. The Lost Trailers opted to work with Harrison Tobin of HRT Records & Productions for the release of their next single. The first radio single, "Underdog", was released in late 2011 by HRT Records & Productions. It made Top 40 on the country charts. "American Beauty" followed in mid-2012. Wyatt announced his departure in April 2014. Jason Wyatt now produces several artists in Nashville as Jason Wyatt Productions.