
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 28, 1994                   TAG: 9410280051
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MARIO TARRADELL THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

STILL AROUND AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

It seems like centuries ago, but it's only been 11 years since country act Sawyer Brown walked away with the vocal group prize on ``Star Search,'' the cheesy televised talent competition. And with more than a few pitfalls in its history - namely a chart slump in the late '80s and the departure of founding member Bobby Randall two years ago - the group's recent resurgence is proof that this is the little country band that can.

Forget the chart figures and record sales, though: That's not the core of Sawyer Brown. This is a live band. Onstage, which is where they'll be tonight at the Salem Civic Center, these boys put on an energetic, fast-paced show.

Fronted by dancing lead singer Mark Miller, who commands the stage with Mick Jagger-styled confidence, the group keeps the audience on its feet with upbeat numbers like ``Thank God for You,'' ``Step That Step,'' ``The Race Is On,'' ``Some Girls Do'' and the recent hit, ``Hard to Say.''

Yet it's with pensive ballads like ``All These Years'' and ``The Walk,'' the song that put these boys back on the musical map in 1991, that this quintet from

Nashville (they named themselves after a street in the Music City) really gained industry respect.

In fact, "All These Years" earned Sawyer Brown its first Grammy nomination last March.

Considered the Susan Lucci of the country music awards circuit, it was obvious the band would go home empty-handed competing against higher-profile acts like Brooks & Dunn and Confederate Railroad.

But ultimately, they are winners: Grammy nods tend to erase ``Star Search'' from resumes.

Sawyer Brown: Tonight, 7:30, Salem Civic Center. With Toby Keith. Tickets, $21.50, at box office or through TicketMaster. Charge by phone at 343-8100.

by CNB