The Jayhawks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Jayhawks
Gary Louris and Mark Olson of the Jayhawks in May 2009.
Background information
Origin	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Genres	Alternative country, alternative rock
Years active	1985–present
Labels	Bunkhouse Records Twin Tone Def American Rounder Records
Members	Gary Louris Marc Perlman Mark Olson Karen Grotberg Tim O'Reagan
Past members	Norm Rogers Thad Spencer Ken Callahan Kraig Johnson Jessy Greene Jen Gunderman Stephen McCarthy

The Jayhawks are an American alternative country and rock band. They come from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band started in 1985. They have released many studio albums. The group took a break from 2005 to 2009. But they got back together in 2010.

The Jayhawks' Journey

The band first formed with four members. These were Mark Olson on acoustic guitar and vocals. Gary Louris played electric guitar and sang. Marc Perlman played bass, and Norm Rogers was on drums.

Early Albums

Their first album was called The Jayhawks. It came out in 1986. Most of the songs were written by Olson. The music had a strong country-rock sound. This album was released on a small record company called Bunkhouse Label.

Their second album, Blue Earth, was released in 1989. It came out on the Twin Tone label. For this album, Gary Louris wrote more songs with Olson. After touring the U.S., the drummer Thad Spencer left. Ken Callahan took his place in 1988. He stayed with the band until 1993.

In 1991, someone from a big record company heard their music. This person was George Drakoulias from Def American. He liked what he heard. Later that year, he signed the band to his label.

Gaining Popularity

In 1992, the album Hollywood Town Hall was released. This was their first album on a major label, Def American. George Drakoulias produced the album. It became a popular album. The song "Waiting for the Sun" was a big hit. This helped the Jayhawks get more fans. Karen Grotberg joined the band on keyboards and vocals. The band then went on many tours.

In 1995, they made the album Tomorrow the Green Grass. It was released on the American Recordings label. The first song, "Blue," became a Top 40 hit in Canada. This means it was one of the 40 most popular songs there. Making this album was very expensive. It did not sell as well as they hoped in the U.S. One song on the album is "Miss Williams' Guitar." It is a love song for Olson's girlfriend, Victoria Williams. They later got married, but divorced in 2006. Tim O'Reagan joined the band as a drummer, singer, and songwriter for the 1995 tour.

By the end of 1995, Olson left the band. He wanted to spend more time with Victoria Williams. The band kept making music as The Jayhawks. They added Kraig Johnson on guitar.

New Sounds

The album Sound of Lies came out in 1997. Gary Louris wrote most of the songs for this album. The music on this album was different. It had rock, psychedelic, and acoustic sounds. It did not sound like their earlier country-influenced music.

Their 2000 album Smile had more of a pop music feel. Some fans did not like this change. Karen Grotberg left the band before the Smile tour. Jen Gunderman took her place. The song "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" was used in a commercial.

Rainy Day Music came out in 2003. This album was more acoustic and simple. Many people thought it was a return to their earlier alt-country style. The band members were Louris, Perlman, O'Reagan, and Stephen McCarthy. McCarthy added many instruments like pedal steel and banjo. This group toured in 2003 and early 2004.

Getting Back Together

After some years apart, The Jayhawks got back together in 2010. They released the album Mockingbird Time in 2011. Mark Olson and Karen Grotberg rejoined the band for this album. Gary Louris also produced the album.

Other Music

Besides their studio albums, The Jayhawks released a live album. It was called Live From the Women's Club. This album had acoustic songs. It was only sold at their concerts.

Olson and Louris toured together in 2005 and 2006. They called their shows "From the Jayhawks: An Evening with Mark Olson & Gary Louris, Together Again." The band members also worked on their own music. People thought the band had broken up. But the members stayed in touch. They sometimes played together for special events.

In September 2008, the 1995 lineup played together again. This was at a festival in Spain. In January 2009, Olson and Louris released an acoustic album. It was called Ready for the Flood.

Albums and Songs

Studio albums

Singles

Mark Olson & Gary Louris

• Ready for the Flood (2009)

Images for kids

• 

  Gary Louris of the Jayhawks in May 2009

• 

  The Jayhawks in 2012