The live shows, more than anything, sustained the band until 1989's remake of the George Jones hit 'The Race Is On' put them back near the top of the charts. Fans flock to the band's concerts year after year, whether the band performs in a stadium, state fair, or casino. Rather, they have been successful due to their live performances. But radio success was not really Sawyer Brown's strong suit. The band had their ups and downs on the charts throughout the 1980s. That success was quickly followed by their first #1 hit, 'Step That Step'.

The band signed with Capitol Records and scored a Top 20 hit with their first single, 'Leona,' in 1984. They auditioned just to get the videotape to promote the band, yet ended up winning the $100,000 grand prize and record contract. Miller likes to say 'We thought it would be easier to get work if people thought we were one person.' The band played up to five sets a night, six days a week, until they auditioned for the TV show Star Search in 1983. They first called the band 'Savanah', but renamed themselves 'Sawyer Brown' after Sawyer Brown Road, the street where they rehearsed. The two left for Nashville, Tennessee, where they met up with Florida drummer Joe Smyth, Michigan bass player Jim Scholten and original lead guitarist Bobby Randall.

Lead singer Mark Miller asked keyboardist Gregg 'Hobie' Hubbard to play piano for a couple of songs he had written. Sawyer Brown is a country music band formed in 1981 at a Pizza Hut restaurant in Apopka, Florida.

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