Al Wagner/Invision/AP

Old Crow Medicine Show Songs: The 5 Best Tunes From the String Band

Old Crow Medicine Show is loved for their bluegrass flare and their Americana style. The band's original members chose the name O.C.M.S. to embody the oddities of old-time variety shows that used to travel across the country. 

While performing in Boone, N.C., the band caught the attention of music legend Doc Watson, who invited them to perform at his North Carolina festival, MerleFest.

In 2000, the band of busking travelers found themselves in Nashville and were taken in by Marty Stuart. The ragtime string band performed for the first time at The Ryman for their Grand Ole Opry debut. They received a standing ovation and a call for an encore at their Opry debut. 

Their harmonicas and banjos made them a real humdinger in modern country music. Let's take a look back and remember the best of Old Crow Medicine Show! 

5. "Sweet Amarillo" 

The band received a demo of this song from Bob Dylan after 'Wagon Wheel' become a No. 1 hit. Ketch Secor and the band finished the tune and released it on their 2014 record Remedywhich won the Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2014.

4. "Alabama High-Test" 

This story about a drug dealer being chased by "the wolfpack" was released on the Tennessee Pusher album in 2008. 

Read More: Alison Krauss' Best Songs Prove She Was Born with Bluegrass in Her Blood

3. "Down Home Girl"

This bluegrass tune about falling in love with the farmer's daughter is the first song from the band's third record, Big Iron World

2. "Tell It To Me" 

"Tell It To Me" was released on the band's second studio album in 2004. The melody is almost identical to their song "Cocaine Habit" on their first record, Eutaw, from 2001. 

1. "Wagon Wheel" 

Anyone who loves music knows this song. Critter Fuqua first heard "rock me mama" from a bootleg tape of Bob Dylan tunes he brought home from London. He shared the tune with Ketch Secor, who kept the theme in his head for over ten years before he ever thought to look into finishing the song. It turns out, Dylan credited someone else with the melody line and never finished the song either. After some time, Secor and Dylan agreed on a 50-50 split, and O.C.M.S. released the song in 2004. In 2013, Darius Rucker released his version of 'Wagon Wheel' and went 8x Platinum, becoming the first male solo artist to achieve the accolade. 

Honorable Mentions:

"Carry Me Back," "Big Time In The Jungle," "Heart Up In The Sky,"  "CC Rider" and "Motel In Memphis," "We Don't Grow Tobacco," "Carry Me Back to Virginia," "Ain't it Enough," "Fall on My Knees," "I Hear Them All," "Take 'Em Away"

Now Watch: Remembering John Prine Songs Through the Years