The Delevantes
American duo first to top Gavin Americana Charts.
Bob and Mike Delevante, brothers from Rutherford, New Jersey, make up the American duo The Delevantes. Their sound, built on tight harmonies and stories of working-class life, has earned comparisons to artists like Bruce Springsteen, the Everly Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. They are noted for being one of the first alt-country acts to reach the top ten on the Gavin Americana Charts.
The brothers grew up in Rutherford, New Jersey, the sons and grandsons of General Motors workers, and graduated from St. Mary High School. After playing in earlier bands called Wreckless Abandon and Who's Your Daddy?, they formed The Delevantes in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1988. A meeting with BMI Nashville executive Jody Williams at the New Music Seminar in New York City led them to relocate to Nashville in 1992.
Their debut album, *Long About That Time*, came out in 1995 on Rounder Records, produced by E Street Band member Garry Tallent. Rolling Stone gave it three stars, and Entertainment Weekly awarded it an 'A'. It entered the Gavin Americana charts at number six, making the group one of the first alt-country acts to reach the top ten. The album earned a Nashville Music Award nomination.
In 1997, they moved to Capitol Nashville and released *Postcards from Along the Way*, again produced by Tallent, who played bass, with Benmont Tench on piano. The closing track, “John Wayne Lives in Hoboken,” later appeared on the 2007 compilation *Live from Mountain Stage*. The Delevantes have toured with Steve Earle, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Marshall Crenshaw, Alison Krauss, and Junior Brown. In September 1997, they backed Levon Helm on “Rag Mama Rag” at a Jimmie Rodgers tribute at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, alongside Tallent and Max Weinberg.
Over the next two decades, both brothers built successful graphic art careers in Nashville. Bob continued writing and recording, releasing three solo albums: *Porchlight* (1999), *Columbus and the Colossal Mistake* (2006), and *Valley of Days* (2016), often with Mike as a supporting musician. The Delevantes reunited for local shows in the late 2010s, including the Long Players project. They performed again in support of Garry Tallent with Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny on July 9, 2019, at the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
- Field
- Music
- Nationality
- American
- Known for
- Close harmony singing and working class narratives; one of the first alt-country acts to reach the top ten on the Gavin Americana Charts
- Formed
- 1988
- Origin
- Rutherford, New Jersey; later based in Nashville, Tennessee
- Genres
- Americana, alt country
Lore & Background
Bob and Mike Delevante hail from Rutherford, New Jersey, sons and grandsons of General Motors workers, and graduated from St. Mary High School. After a progression from earlier bands, Wreckless Abandon and Who's Your Daddy?, they formed The Delevantes in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1988. On the advice of BMI Nashville music executive Jody Williams, they relocated to Nashville in 1992. The duo has frequently collaborated with E Street Band’s Garry Tallent, who produced their albums, and in the 1990s, Benmont Tench from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
The Delevantes released their first album, Long About That Time, in 1995 on Rounder Records. Produced by Tallent, the album was given three stars by Rolling Stone Magazine and an 'A' by Entertainment Weekly. It debuted in the sixth position on the Gavin Americana charts.
Reader's Guide
The Delevantes hold significance as pioneers in the alt country and Americana movements, being the first band to achieve a number one album on the Gavin Americana Charts and the first alt country band to reach the top ten on those charts. Their sound, characterized by close harmony singing and working class narratives, drew comparisons to major acts like Bruce Springsteen and The Everly Brothers. Their career illustrates the cross-pollination between the New Jersey rock scene and Nashville country/Americana, facilitated by connections with E Street Band members Garry Tallent and Max Weinberg, as well as Benmont Tench. The duo's legacy includes two studio albums in the 1990s—Long About That Time and Postcards from Along the Way—both produced by Tallent, and a later reunion album, A Thousand Turns, in 2021. Their work earned critical recognition, including a Nashville Music Award nomination and a NAIRD Best Pop Album award. The Delevantes also contributed to a tribute performance for Jimmie Rodgers at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, backing Levon Helm. Their story reflects the persistence of a band that, after a long hiatus, returned to active performance and recording.
Did You Know?
- The Delevantes were the first band to have a number one album on the Gavin Americana Charts.
- Their debut album, Long About That Time, was produced by E Street Band member Garry Tallent.
- In September 1997, they backed Levon Helm for a performance of 'Rag Mama Rag' at a tribute to Jimmie Rodgers at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- Both brothers pursued successful graphic art careers in Nashville during the two decades after their second album.
More in Rock music duos 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced