The Derailers started in Austin Texas in 1993. The band was created by Brian Hofeldt and Tony Villanueva (who left the group in 2003 to pursue a career in the church). Over those 20 years, the band has released eight studio albums, two live records, one retrospective collection and has been a part of numerous compilations and other recording projects.
The Derailers have been featured on the stages of The Grand Ole Opry, A Prairie Home Companion, Late Night with Conan O’Brien and the US President’s Inaugural Ball. The band performed at their friend Buck Owens’ 70th birthday party at Owens’ personal request. A Derailers song was played back to Earth from the first iPod taken into outer space by astronaut Dr. Stephen K. Robinson. They also appear as characters in the Stephen King story “Willa”.
The Derailers have toured many times across the United States, Europe, and Japan. They are: Brian Hofeldt – guitar, vocals; Vic Gerard – bass, vocals; Basil McJagger – piano, Hammond organ, vocals; and Scott Matthews – drums.