This outing marks the second time the bands have joined for a tour this year. An early spring venture was met with welcoming crowds, especially considering it’d been quite some time since either band had released new material.

Nevertheless, both built solid fan bases early in their careers and that has carried them through the tumultuous post-alternative years, as shown by their relentless touring schedules.

Forming in the late ‘80s, Better Than Ezra rose to the top of the charts with their single “Good” from their indie debut album, Deluxe. After a series of critically acclaimed albums on Elektra, the group returned to their indie roots in 2001 when they signed to the Beyond Music label.

Even though it’s been three years between their latest album, Closer, and the one prior, How Does Your Garden Grow?, Better Than Ezra have managed to remain a steady fixture on the road.

Cowboy Mouth are a self-described classic Southern gumbo, sporting, in essence, four frontmen out of four members. Each guy in the band swaps lead singing responsibilities and contributes to the songwriting, making their albums a true group effort. Their most recent release was 2000’s Easy.

Before hopping on the train with Better Than Ezra, Cowboy Mouth will be rocking fans onboard the Rock Boat 2002 Labor Day Cruise. The outing also features fellow Southerners Edwin McCain and Sister Hazel, among others.