The Shiners came together when Wes Freed and Jyl Freed found their previous band, Dirtball, had fallen apart after two albums. They decided to enlist upright bassist Greg Harrup, drummer Brian Larson, fiddler Erin Snyder, and husband-and-wife guitarist team Steve and Terry Douglas to bring the Shiners together. Steve Douglas had previously played with GWAR as Balsac, Jaws of Death. After playing many shows together, the lineup recorded Bonnie Blue, their debut album, for Planetary Records in 2001. A well-received mix of alt country and bluegrass, the album helped launch a national tour that got them on the same stage as the Waco Brothers and Hank Williams III. In the spring of 2003, their sophomore effort Sea Rock City was released on Planetary Records. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide