The Cardinals
Encyclopedia
The Cardinals are an American rock band that were formed in 2004 by alternative country
singer-songwriter Ryan Adams
and fronted by him until 2009. The band was featured on Ryan Adams and the Cardinals albums, Cold Roses
, Jacksonville City Nights
, Follow the Lights
, Cardinology
and III/IV
. Though credited as a solo Ryan Adams release, the 2007 album Easy Tiger
also features the Cardinals.
Regarding the band's name, Adams states that he "suggested the Cardinals because it was my high school football team."
Along with their work with Adams, The Cardinals recorded an album with Willie Nelson
in 2006, and following Adams' departure in 2009, The Cardinals recorded an album with singer-songwriter Gin Wigmore
.
After recording the album, 29, Adams suggested to J.P. Bowersock that they might form a touring band. Brad Pemberton was the first member to join reuniting Ryan Adams and Pemberton who had toured together until Adams' Love is Hell album. Following Pemberton, was Catherine Popper who initially played double bass
for the band.
The first touring lineup of Ryan Adams and the Cardinals consisted of Ryan Adams, Brad Pemberton, JP Bowersock, Catherine Popper, and Cindy Cashdollar
. The band toured in 2004 and recorded Cold Roses
. Cashdollar left in 2005. Jon Graboff
was a hired replacement for the next two years until he became a full time member for their final album as Ryan Adams and The Cardinals.
The band toured worldwide without Cashdollar to promote Cold Roses, and during this period returned to the studio to record their second album, Jacksonville City Nights
. Bowersock left after the album was recorded, and was replaced by Neal Casal
.
In 2006 Ryan Adams produced Willie Nelson's album Songbird
and he and The Cardinals served as Nelson's backing band on the recordings.
In 2006, Popper left the band and was replaced by Chris Feinstein prior to a European tour in 2006. In 2007, The Cardinals joined Ryan Adams to record his new album, Easy Tiger
, and the album's producer, Jamie Candiloro, was added to the lineup on piano. Follow the Lights
appeared later in the year, once again produced by Candiloro.
Their latest album, Cardinology
, was released in October 2008, and, according to Pitchfork Media
, Ryan Adams & the Cardinals may be known as simply "The Cardinals" from now on.
In January 2009, Adams announced that he would leave The Cardinals in order to "step back" from making music, citing hearing loss due to Ménière's disease
as part of the reason for his decision. This move made drummer Brad Pemberton the only remaining original member of the band.
In April 2009, when asked about the Cardinals' future, guitarist Neal Casal stated: "I have absolutely no idea what the future holds. The Cardinals were the best band I've ever been in, and I would love to play with them again. Only time will tell what's going to happen. [...] I'll certainly miss it a lot."
In May 2009, drummer Brad Pemberton
stated that: "everyone was a bit fried, so it was the right time to step back for a minute. I encouraged Ryan to go and get married, and have a life and find some peace; the guy hasn’t really slowed down in ten years, and he needed it as much as we did. Ryan and I have shared too much and are too good of friends to not ever do anything again, but I think we all need to do our own thing for a minute."
In July 2009, it emerged that The Cardinals landed a gig with singer/songwriter Gin Wigmore in New Zealand. The band played on Wingmore's album Gin Wigmore album and performed with her live on numerous occasions.
On December 15, 2009, Cardinals' bassist Chris Feinstein died.
In February 2010, Neal Casal published a book of tour photography titled A View of Other Windows. The book documents his life on the road with Ryan Adams and the Cardinals.
Former
Alternative country
Alternative country is a loosely defined sub-genre of country music, which includes acts that differ significantly in style from mainstream or pop country music...
singer-songwriter Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
and fronted by him until 2009. The band was featured on Ryan Adams and the Cardinals albums, Cold Roses
Cold Roses
-Performers:* Ryan Adams – Vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, harmonica, piano* J.P. Bowersock – Electric guitar* Cindy Cashdollar – Steel guitar, resonator guitar, vocals* Brad Pemberton – Drums, vocals...
, Jacksonville City Nights
Jacksonville City Nights
Jacksonville City Nights is the seventh studio album by American alternative country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, released on September 27, 2005 on Lost Highway. The album is Adams' second with The Cardinals, and the second in a trilogy of albums released in a seven-month timespan during 2005. By...
, Follow the Lights
Follow the Lights
Follow the Lights is an EP by Ryan Adams and The Cardinals released October 23, 2007. The EP contains three new songs and four live studio recordings, including a cover of "Down in a Hole" by Alice in Chains...
, Cardinology
Cardinology
Cardinology is the tenth studio album by Ryan Adams, and his fourth album with The Cardinals, released on October 28, 2008. This album completed Adams' contract with Lost Highway, and marks his final recording session with the Cardinals. A vinyl version included a bonus 7", a comic book, and a...
and III/IV
III/IV
III/IV is the twelfth studio album by alt-country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, released on December 14, 2010 through PAX AM. The album is his fifth with backing band The Cardinals, and was recorded in 2006 during the same sessions that yielded Easy Tiger...
. Though credited as a solo Ryan Adams release, the 2007 album Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger is the ninth studio album by Ryan Adams released on June 26, 2007 on the Lost Highway label. Although the album is attributed solely to Adams, Easy Tiger features The Cardinals as his backing band, with Adams stating: "The only real concept of this record was complete and utter...
also features the Cardinals.
Regarding the band's name, Adams states that he "suggested the Cardinals because it was my high school football team."
Along with their work with Adams, The Cardinals recorded an album with Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
in 2006, and following Adams' departure in 2009, The Cardinals recorded an album with singer-songwriter Gin Wigmore
Gin Wigmore
Virginia "Gin" Wigmore is a New Zealand singer-songwriter. In 2009, she featured on the single "Brother" by Smashproof, which reached #1 on the RIANZ singles charts for 11 weeks. In 2009 she released her debut album Holy Smoke...
.
History
Ryan Adams and The Cardinals first began as a duo when singer-songwriter Ryan Adams met J.P. Bowersock through his friend Ryan Gentles, manager of The Strokes, who were also Ryan Adams' neighbors in New York in 2001. J.P. Bowersock and Ryan Adams rehearsed and performed in New York at various clubs under the name The Cardinals and were eventually joined for a short time by G.E. Smith, of the SNL band fame during the late 1980s and 1990s.After recording the album, 29, Adams suggested to J.P. Bowersock that they might form a touring band. Brad Pemberton was the first member to join reuniting Ryan Adams and Pemberton who had toured together until Adams' Love is Hell album. Following Pemberton, was Catherine Popper who initially played double bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
for the band.
The first touring lineup of Ryan Adams and the Cardinals consisted of Ryan Adams, Brad Pemberton, JP Bowersock, Catherine Popper, and Cindy Cashdollar
Cindy Cashdollar
Cindy Cashdollar is a steel guitar and Dobro artist. She grew up in Woodstock, New York where she perfected her skills by playing with bluegrass musician John Herald, blues musician Paul Butterfield, and Levon Helm and Rick Danko of The Band.Cashdollar received five Grammy awards while playing...
. The band toured in 2004 and recorded Cold Roses
Cold Roses
-Performers:* Ryan Adams – Vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, harmonica, piano* J.P. Bowersock – Electric guitar* Cindy Cashdollar – Steel guitar, resonator guitar, vocals* Brad Pemberton – Drums, vocals...
. Cashdollar left in 2005. Jon Graboff
Jon Graboff
Jon Graboff is a multi-instrumentalist and record producer. Between 2005 and 2009, he was a member of The Cardinals, primarily as a pedal steel guitarist...
was a hired replacement for the next two years until he became a full time member for their final album as Ryan Adams and The Cardinals.
The band toured worldwide without Cashdollar to promote Cold Roses, and during this period returned to the studio to record their second album, Jacksonville City Nights
Jacksonville City Nights
Jacksonville City Nights is the seventh studio album by American alternative country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, released on September 27, 2005 on Lost Highway. The album is Adams' second with The Cardinals, and the second in a trilogy of albums released in a seven-month timespan during 2005. By...
. Bowersock left after the album was recorded, and was replaced by Neal Casal
Neal Casal
Neal Casal is an American songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and photographer who has maintained an acclaimed solo career as well as playing guitar for The Cardinals.-1990 - 1999:...
.
In 2006 Ryan Adams produced Willie Nelson's album Songbird
Songbird (Willie Nelson album)
Songbird is an album by Willie Nelson released by Lost Highway Records on October 31, 2006. It was produced by contemporary country rock musician Ryan Adams. Adams, along with his band The Cardinals, performed on the album’s eleven tracks...
and he and The Cardinals served as Nelson's backing band on the recordings.
In 2006, Popper left the band and was replaced by Chris Feinstein prior to a European tour in 2006. In 2007, The Cardinals joined Ryan Adams to record his new album, Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger is the ninth studio album by Ryan Adams released on June 26, 2007 on the Lost Highway label. Although the album is attributed solely to Adams, Easy Tiger features The Cardinals as his backing band, with Adams stating: "The only real concept of this record was complete and utter...
, and the album's producer, Jamie Candiloro, was added to the lineup on piano. Follow the Lights
Follow the Lights
Follow the Lights is an EP by Ryan Adams and The Cardinals released October 23, 2007. The EP contains three new songs and four live studio recordings, including a cover of "Down in a Hole" by Alice in Chains...
appeared later in the year, once again produced by Candiloro.
Their latest album, Cardinology
Cardinology
Cardinology is the tenth studio album by Ryan Adams, and his fourth album with The Cardinals, released on October 28, 2008. This album completed Adams' contract with Lost Highway, and marks his final recording session with the Cardinals. A vinyl version included a bonus 7", a comic book, and a...
, was released in October 2008, and, according to Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
, Ryan Adams & the Cardinals may be known as simply "The Cardinals" from now on.
In January 2009, Adams announced that he would leave The Cardinals in order to "step back" from making music, citing hearing loss due to Ménière's disease
Ménière's disease
Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance to a varying degree. It is characterized by episodes of vertigo and tinnitus and progressive hearing loss, usually in one ear. It is named after the French physician Prosper Ménière, who, in an article published...
as part of the reason for his decision. This move made drummer Brad Pemberton the only remaining original member of the band.
In April 2009, when asked about the Cardinals' future, guitarist Neal Casal stated: "I have absolutely no idea what the future holds. The Cardinals were the best band I've ever been in, and I would love to play with them again. Only time will tell what's going to happen. [...] I'll certainly miss it a lot."
In May 2009, drummer Brad Pemberton
Brad Pemberton
Brad Pemberton is an American drummer, primarily known for his role in Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. Pemberton previously played in Iodine , and was a member of Adams' touring band The Pinkhearts. He is currently touring with Brendan Benson.-Discography:-References:...
stated that: "everyone was a bit fried, so it was the right time to step back for a minute. I encouraged Ryan to go and get married, and have a life and find some peace; the guy hasn’t really slowed down in ten years, and he needed it as much as we did. Ryan and I have shared too much and are too good of friends to not ever do anything again, but I think we all need to do our own thing for a minute."
In July 2009, it emerged that The Cardinals landed a gig with singer/songwriter Gin Wigmore in New Zealand. The band played on Wingmore's album Gin Wigmore album and performed with her live on numerous occasions.
On December 15, 2009, Cardinals' bassist Chris Feinstein died.
In February 2010, Neal Casal published a book of tour photography titled A View of Other Windows. The book documents his life on the road with Ryan Adams and the Cardinals.
Band members
Current- Brad PembertonBrad PembertonBrad Pemberton is an American drummer, primarily known for his role in Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. Pemberton previously played in Iodine , and was a member of Adams' touring band The Pinkhearts. He is currently touring with Brendan Benson.-Discography:-References:...
– drums and percussion (2004–present) - Neal CasalNeal CasalNeal Casal is an American songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and photographer who has maintained an acclaimed solo career as well as playing guitar for The Cardinals.-1990 - 1999:...
– guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and vocals (2005–present) - Jon GraboffJon GraboffJon Graboff is a multi-instrumentalist and record producer. Between 2005 and 2009, he was a member of The Cardinals, primarily as a pedal steel guitarist...
– pedal steel, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and vocals (2005–present)
Former
- Ryan AdamsRyan AdamsDavid Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
– vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
and banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
(2004–2009) - Chris FeinsteinChris FeinsteinChristopher Todd Feinstein was an American musician, producer, writer and collaborator from Nashville, Tennessee....
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and vocals (2006–2009) - Catherine Popper – bass guitar, vocals and piano (2004–2006)
- J. P. Bowersock – guitar (2004–2005)
- Cindy CashdollarCindy CashdollarCindy Cashdollar is a steel guitar and Dobro artist. She grew up in Woodstock, New York where she perfected her skills by playing with bluegrass musician John Herald, blues musician Paul Butterfield, and Levon Helm and Rick Danko of The Band.Cashdollar received five Grammy awards while playing...
– steel guitarSteel guitarSteel guitar is a type of guitar or the method of playing the instrument. Developed in Hawaii in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a steel guitar is usually positioned horizontally; strings are plucked with one hand, while the other hand changes the pitch of one or more strings with the use...
, lap steel, guitar and vocals (2004–2005) - Jamie Candiloro – piano and keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
(2007)
With Ryan Adams
- 2005: Cold RosesCold Roses-Performers:* Ryan Adams – Vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, harmonica, piano* J.P. Bowersock – Electric guitar* Cindy Cashdollar – Steel guitar, resonator guitar, vocals* Brad Pemberton – Drums, vocals...
- 2005: Jacksonville City NightsJacksonville City NightsJacksonville City Nights is the seventh studio album by American alternative country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, released on September 27, 2005 on Lost Highway. The album is Adams' second with The Cardinals, and the second in a trilogy of albums released in a seven-month timespan during 2005. By...
- 2007: Easy TigerEasy TigerEasy Tiger is the ninth studio album by Ryan Adams released on June 26, 2007 on the Lost Highway label. Although the album is attributed solely to Adams, Easy Tiger features The Cardinals as his backing band, with Adams stating: "The only real concept of this record was complete and utter...
(billed as Ryan Adams solo) - 2007: Follow the LightsFollow the LightsFollow the Lights is an EP by Ryan Adams and The Cardinals released October 23, 2007. The EP contains three new songs and four live studio recordings, including a cover of "Down in a Hole" by Alice in Chains...
EP - 2008: CardinologyCardinologyCardinology is the tenth studio album by Ryan Adams, and his fourth album with The Cardinals, released on October 28, 2008. This album completed Adams' contract with Lost Highway, and marks his final recording session with the Cardinals. A vinyl version included a bonus 7", a comic book, and a...
- 2010: III/IVIII/IVIII/IV is the twelfth studio album by alt-country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, released on December 14, 2010 through PAX AM. The album is his fifth with backing band The Cardinals, and was recorded in 2006 during the same sessions that yielded Easy Tiger...
- 2011: Class MythologyClass MythologyClass Mythology is an EP by American alt-country band Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, released on April 16, 2011 on PAX AM. Limited to 2500 copies, the EP was released in celebration of Record Store Day, and consists of unreleased tracks recorded for Cardinology .The release comprises two coloured...
EP