All these years: The history of Sawyer Brown

For more than forty years, Sawyer Brown has provided fans with fun, positive music.

That’s what Bobby Randall, a founding member of Sawyer Brown, believes.

A documentary about the band called “Get Me to the Stage on Time” takes audiences through that journey.

The movie premiered Oct. 1 at the Franklin Theatre as part of the Nashville Film Festival.

“Get Me to the Stage on Time” covers the band's time on the television talent show "Star Search," their record deals and how the band is still playing after all these years, Randall said.

When Sawyer Brown formed, Randall played lead guitar and fiddle and was also on vocals. Jim Scholten played bass and Gregg Hubbard was on keyboard and vocals. Frontman Mark Miller was on rhythm guitar and lead vocals and Joe Smyth played drums.

Randall, who left the band in 1991, was invited to be a part of the documentary.

“Mark called me last year and wanted to know if I wanted to be a part of it and I said of course I would," he said. "They were really kind to me."

In early October, he went back to Nashville for the premiere.

“When it was coming out (Mark) called me and he said, ‘Why not come out with me and play with the band…’ Nobody knew I was there, I was hiding in the back,” Randall said.

“Then the documentary played. And then I came out and people went crazy – it was pretty wild.

"We played a few songs and we cried when we were playing," he said. "Mark came over and gave me a big hug. Awesome is the only way I can describe it.”

Randall joined Duncan Cameron, who also played guitar with the band, and current members of Sawyer Brown - Hubbard, Miller and Smyth along with Shayne Hill on lead guitar - at the premiere.

“We got a chance to talk a little bit, then went out and took a bunch of pictures and signed autographs,” he said. “I was scared and a little nervous; I think we all were. It was a highlight in my life.”

Randall and the band have stayed in touch over the years.

“They are like family. Any time they are anywhere they don’t even call me anymore, they just call my family,” he said. “My mom (Clydene Randall) went to see them before the documentary was released. They always make a big deal out of my mom.”

Randall appreciated the time he spent reuniting with the band. Leaving has always been bittersweet for him.

“I say in the documentary the only thing I regret about it was if I let anyone down. That I regret,” he said. “Getting out of the band I’ve gotten to do so many things I would have never gotten to do. That said, everything I’ve done – everything – was spring-boarded from that.”

The Sawyer Brown documentary, “Get Me to the Stage on Time,” will be available for streaming next year. The show is produced by Blake Shelton.

Sawyer Brown will also release their new album called "Desperado Troubadours" next year. The album, produced by Mark Miller and Blake Shelton, will be released in March. One of the songs on the album is also called “Get Me to the Stage on Time.”

For more visit sawyerbrown.com or Sawyer Brown on Facebook.

Randall, who is originally from the Midland area, went on to play with the band called Confederate Railroad from 2009 – 2017.

Currently, he is the music director at the Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale, Florida.

Along with the OBO, he recently took part in filming a movie called “Bad Senator.”

On Sunday, November 26, the Orange Blossom Opry hosted the movie’s premiere. The event included live music and a Question and Answer Session with director Chad Richardson and actor Bob Gallagher.

For more information, visit obopry.com or The Orange Blossom Opry on Facebook.