Thousand Horses was a country rock band that gained popularity in the early 2010s. They released their debut album in 2015 and had several hit songs on the country charts. However, after a few years, the band faded from the public eye. So what exactly happened to Thousand Horses and where are they now?
The Formation and Early Success of Thousand Horses
Thousand Horses formed in 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The original lineup consisted of Michael Hobby on lead vocals, Bill Satcher on lead guitar, Zach Brown on guitar and vocals, Ben Nelson on bass, and Graham DeLoach on drums.
The band began playing shows around Nashville and generating buzz. They were signed to Republic Nashville in 2013 and released their debut single “Smoke” in 2014. “Smoke” was a breakout hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. It was followed by more singles “Trailer Trashed” and “The Bridge” which also reached the top 10 on the country charts.
In 2015, Thousand Horses released their debut album, Southernality. The album was a hit, debuting at #2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and #13 on the Billboard 200. It was powered by the success of the singles as well as additional tracks like “(Honey) Come On Home” and the title track. The band’s Southern rock sound was a breath of fresh air in the country genre at the time.
Thousand Horses was named New Artist of the Year at the American Country Countdown Awards in 2015. It seemed like the band was poised to become one of the hottest acts in country music.
The Follow Up to Southernality
After the success of their debut, fans were eager to hear more new music from Thousand Horses. The band began working on a sophomore album in 2016.
In 2017, they released the single “Preachin’ to the Choir” which was expected to be the lead single from their second album. However, after that single, there was radio silence from the band for all of 2018 and 2019.
During this quiet period, Thousand Horses parted ways with Republic Nashville. It’s not clear what exactly led to the split, but the band and label seemed to have different visions for Thousand Horses’ future direction.
So while Thousand Horses had been working on a new album, the split with their label likely put things on hold. They had to regroup and decide whether to continue pursuing a major label record deal or change their strategy.
Where Are Thousand Horses Now in 2022?
Currently in 2022, Thousand Horses is still together as a band, but they have been relatively inactive for the past few years.
Since their split from Republic Nashville, they have remained independent. While they still do some sporadic touring, they have not released any new singles or albums.
Thousand Horses has been posting updates on Facebook indicating that they are working on new music. However, it’s unclear when that music will see the light of day.
The band has gone through some lineup changes as well recently. Founding members Zach Brown and Graham DeLoach both left Thousand Horses in 2020.
With Michael Hobby and Bill Satcher now as the two remaining original members, it appears Thousand Horses is in a rebuilding phase. They have brought on new band members and seem determined to eventually make a comeback.
In one recent post, Michael Hobby wrote: “We’re focused, we’re rested, we’re ready! New music and touring coming when the time is right.” So the band is still active, but they seem to be waiting for the right timing to fully relaunch.
Reasons for Thousand Horses’ Disappearance from the Spotlight
There are several possible factors that contributed to Thousand Horses fading from the spotlight after their initial breakthrough success:
- Label issues – The split from Republic Nashville derailed their momentum.
- No crossover success – Though popular in country, they did not break through to mainstream rock audiences.
- Changed country radio environment – Bro-country dominated country radio in the late 2010s.
- Lagging new material – Four years passed between their debut and follow-up single.
- Lineup changes – Losing 2/5 founding members caused an identity shift.
While Thousand Horses had all the makings of a modern southern rock powerhouse, issues with their record label and shifts in country radio seem to have hampered their growth after that initial breakthrough.
Could Thousand Horses Make a Comeback?
Given that Thousand Horses continues to be an active band and is hyping up new music, a comeback does seem possible, though uncertain.
On one hand, there would likely still be interest in hearing new music and seeing them back on tour. Their debut album was beloved by country fans and reached a wide audience at the time.
However, the country music environment has continued to evolve. Many radio formats have shifted to focus primarily on contemporary country-pop. Thousand Horses’ Southern rock-infused sound may have a harder time breaking through today.
The group also faces a challenge introducing any new members and re-establishing their musical identity.
At the same time, there are some factors that could work in Thousand Horses’ favor for a comeback:
- The success of Zach Brown Band shows the appeal of southern rock-influenced country has not gone away.
- Younger consumers discover music in many ways beyond radio play.
- Their existing fanbase would be excited about new music and likely support a relaunch.
- Nostalgia for late 2000s-early 2010s country could make their throwback sound appealing again.
While the road back to prominence won’t be easy, early 2010s country music fans would certainly welcome some new music that evokes the spirit of that era from Thousand Horses.
Conclusion
In summary, Thousand Horses was a rising country rock band in the mid-2010s that achieved rapid success but then quickly faded from the public eye. Issues with their label, country radio, and lineup changes resulted in years without any new music or touring.
The group remains active today with original members Michael Hobby and Bill Satcher working to rebuild and eventually release new material. However, only time will tell if Thousand Horses can overcome the inertia of their long hiatus and once again thrive as a top act in country music.
Regardless, their debut album showed the talent and potential Thousand Horses possessed. For country fans longing for some new southern rock jams, the return of Thousand Horses would be a welcome development.
Additional Details and Analysis
Here is some more detailed information and analysis about the history of Thousand Horses and what the future may hold:
Thousand Horses’ Musical Style and Influences
Thousand Horses stood out in the country genre of the 2010s for their combination of country lyrics and instrumentation with a driving, southern rock sound. Some music critics dubbed them “arena country” for their big guitar hooks and bluesy vocals.
In interviews, the band cited classic rock acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Black Crowes as influences. Michael Hobby’s raspy, blue-collar vocal style drew comparisons to Bob Seger. Meanwhile, the band’s guitarists displayed chops akin to groups like Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.
So while Thousand Horses was marketed as a country act and found success on rural-focused radio, their sound pulled from multiple American music traditions. This melting pot style gained them fans from both the country and southern rock crowds.
Chart Performance of Key Thousand Horses Songs
Here is a rundown of how some of Thousand Horses’ hit singles performed on the charts:
| Song | Billboard Country Airplay Peak | Billboard Hot 100 Peak |
|---|---|---|
| “Smoke” | #1 | #54 |
| “Trailer Trashed” | #9 | Did not chart |
| “The Bridge” | #4 | Did not chart |
| “(Honey) Come On Home” | #18 | Did not chart |
This shows their debut single “Smoke” crossed over to the mainstream Hot 100, while subsequent releases saw more limited success focused on the country radio format.
Speculation on Thousand Horses’ New Musical Direction
Given the amount of time that has passed, it’s very possible Thousand Horses has evolved their sound since their last release. The group may incorporate new stylistic influences in an effort to fit into the modern country or rock landscape.
Based on Michael Hobby’s comments about being “focused” and “ready,” it seems likely they have embraced a back-to-basics approach focused on their Southern rock roots. However, they may also be taking cues from acts like Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson that have found recent success bringing gritty, guitar-driven country back to the forefront.
The band has not hinted at any collaborations, but teaming up with an established Nashville songwriter or producer could help them craft a more modern, radio-friendly sound if that is their goal.
While their classic Southern rock and bluesy vocals will likely still anchor their new music, it’s reasonable to expect some fresh stylistic wrinkles when Thousand Horses ultimately releases their next project.
Potential Touring and Festival Options
When Thousand Horses embarks on their comeback, some likely touring and festival opportunities they could pursue include:
- County fairs – They have the upbeat, boots-stomping sound perfect for rural county fairs.
- ACM/CMA events – Industry showcases like the ACM Awards Fest could help them reconnect with country fans and partners.
- Country Thunder – Major country music festivals like this could give them big exposure.
- Opening for reunited bands – Offering to open for groups like The Eagles or Zac Brown Band on reunion tours.
- Rock festivals – Appearing at events like Welcome to Rockville could help broaden their audience.
- Overseas – Tapping into international country and southern rock markets could be a strategic play as well.
With the right mix of country and mainstream rock focused events, Thousand Horses has the potential to rebuild their following on the road. Headline shows in their Southern strongholds would also make sense early in their return.
How Thousand Horses Could Leverage Social Media
One way Thousand Horses could generate buzz around their eventual comeback is through social media engagement. Some ideas for how they might leverage platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok include:
- Behind-the-scenes clips of new recording sessions.
- Livestream performances from the studio or tour bus.
- Responding to old photos and videos posted by fans.
- Hashtags related to their old hits to capitalize on nostalgia.
- TikTok dance trends featuring their songs.
- Contests around guessing details of their new music.
Authentic and interactive social content centered around their renewed activity could help Thousand Horses quickly reconnect with lapsed fans. Strategically timed teaser material leading up to their new single and album would generate the maximum impact.
Conclusion
The return of Thousand Horses would fill a noticeable void in country and Southern rock. The band showed enough promise early on that new music from them would generate intrigue. However, given the long gap, Thousand Horses would be essentially starting over from scratch.
By touring extensively, leveraging festivals and social media, and most importantly, delivering new songs that live up to their potential, Michael Hobby and Bill Satcher could conceivably lead a successful comeback. The raw talent appears to still be there.
Still, lightning rarely strikes the same place twice in music. Recapturing the country radio momentum of their debut is unlikely. But there is a lane for Thousand Horses to become a compelling legacy act with enduring appeal to a niche Southern rock and country base. If they strategically play to their strengths, the horizon could brighten again for Thousand Horses.