In 1986 The New Dylans arrived on the scene with a critically acclaimed debut EP which was placed on the Top 5 list of the Village Voice’s famed year-end “Pazz and Jop” poll. REM’s frontman Michael Stipe declared the record one of his top 3 of the year, and regular rotation on MTV. Jim Reilley (songwriter/guiarist/vocalist) and Reese Campbell (guitar/piano/songwriter/vocalist) were childhood friends who found themselves in the middle of a successful music career.
In order to facilitate their music, they inked a record deal with Red House in the early ’90s and went on to release two highly lauded records, The American Way and Warren Piece. They’re energetic folk-rock and knack for hooky lyrics took them to every corner of the country playing for a steady growing audience. The New Dylans found themselves sharing the stage with The Band, Townes Van Zandt, Shawn Colvin, The Fleshtones, Superdrag, and even their old friend The 10,000 Maniacs.
Both Red House releases garnered glowing reviews in Rolling Stone, Pulse, Spin, Mojo, and Dirty Linen as well as appearances on Nationally syndicated radio shows like The World Cafe, Acoustic Cafe, and National Public Radio’s All Things Considered.
Today The New Dylans co-founder Reese Campbell continues to play with his band The American People in the Northeast while Jim Reilly is an acomplished songwriter and performer in the Nasville area.