The Vulgar Boatmen

by Jason AnkenyRoots-pop combo the Vulgar Boatmen was led by the singing/songwriting team of Robert Ray and Dale Lawrence; living in Gainesville, FL and Indianapolis, IN, respectively, the duo collaborated primarily by mail, each rehearsing with local musicians (some of them later recruited for recording sessions and tours as well). Jim Bays, Carey Crane and Michael Derry rounded out the Vulgar Boatmen line-up on the group's 1989 debut You and Your Sister, produced by Walter Salas-Humara of the Silos (whose Bob Rupe also guested on the record); J.D. Foster, Jonathan Isley and Helen Kirklin were listed as official members for the follow-up, 1992's much-acclaimed Please Panic. Opposite Sex appeared three years later; Lawrence additionally played keyboards in the Mysteries of Life.