The Railbenders are an American country band from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2000 by Jim Dalton and Tyson Murray. The group's sound is characterized by its outlaw country and hard country influences, which the members attribute to their shared background in punk rock. The ensemble gained early recognition when Westword Music Showcase named them Denver's Top Country/Roots act in 2002 and 2003. In 2004, they were also named "Best of the Underground" by The Denver Post. The group released its debut studio album, Southbound, on April 24, 2001, through Big Bender Records. In 2004, the band won the Coors Original New Sound Throwdown Champions, securing a sponsorship from the Coors Brewing Company. Their subsequent studio releases include Segundo (2003), Showdown (2005), and Like a Wheel (2009), as well as the 2007 live album Rock 'n' Rail New Year's Eve. Influenced by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Hank Williams, the band's repertoire often explores themes of whiskey and their home state of Colorado. The group has opened for artists including Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Peter Frampton, and Kenny Rogers. In 2017, the group released the album The Medicine Show.
