With members Crystal, Butter, and Vinny -- the 400 pound man who is known to dance the worm in the middle of their shows -- Trailer Choir started out as a cover band, playing everything from the barroom standard "Friends in Low Places" to the disco favorite "I Will Survive." As they began adding original songs to the mix, their audience grew. One night, impressed by their whimsical tunes and energetic stage show, country music superstar Toby Keith introduced himself to the band. A showcase for Keith and his label Show Dog Nashville in the spring of 2007 found Trailer Choir leaving with a signed contract. Then, the band -- who listed their influences as Garth Brooks, Tammy Wynette, Oprah, Elvis, and the Sonic chain of fast food restaurants -- began recording their debut album with Keith as producer. They previewed the album in the spring of 2008 with the single "Off the Hillbilly Hook," which was also the title of a six-song EP that appeared in 2009. The album itself, entitled Tailgate, was finally issued in the summer of 2010.~ David Jeffries