Biographies
Sugarcane Jane, led by Anthony Crawford and Savana Lee from Loxley, Alabama — has been America's sweethearts from Alabama's Gulf Coast for over a decade.
Between them, they have amassed a rich musical heritage working with such notables as Neil Young, Steve Winwood, and Dwight Yoakam. Comparable to Shovels & Rope or The Wood Brothers, their music is melodic and direct, rooted in country and rock, and anchored by their sweet and soulful harmonies.
Knowing the couple's roots is essential in understanding the foundation of their incredible story. Anthony's musical career has led him all over the world, beginning at Opryland at the age of eighteen to performing at the Grand Ole Opry with Roy Acuff, to being on tour with Sonny James, Neil Young (The Shocking Pinks, The International Harvesters, The Electric Band), Steve Winwood (Roll With It Tour), Vince Gill, and Dwight Yoakam. He's had appearances on Hee Haw, Austin City Limits, Live Aid, Farm Aid, Showtime, the Late Show with David Letterman, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Today Show, Grammy Awards Show, made music videos (Wonderin'-Neil Young, Gone-Dwight Yoakam), been in movies (Heart of Gold-Neil Young, Neil Young Trunk Show, Blackhawk DVD). He performed on stage with Paul McCartney and Neil Young at Hyde Park. He took the cover photo for Neil Young's Chrome Dreams II album. His
songs have been recorded by Steve Winwood, Dwight Yoakam, Kenny Rogers, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lorrie Morgan, Billy Burnett, Sawyer Brown, and others. He has earned an impressive double platinum, platinum, and six gold albums (Vince Gill, Neil Young, Steve Winwood, Dwight Yoakam, Rosanne Cash,
Lorrie Morgan) for his contributions to rock and country luminaries.
"One of the liveliest, most engaging Americana CDs you'll likely hear this or any year."
~ Vintage Guitar Magazine
The last decade has been an intricate part of Anthony's ultimate direction. After marrying musical partner Savana Lee and settling in the rural southern Alabama town of Loxley, a new perspective has emerged in their songwriting and touring life. They have grown a loyal following and an all-American brand of music completely original and homegrown, rooted in a southern spirit of the deep South.
“An album that deserves to be at the top of critics' lists" - The Washington Times
Sugarcane Jane's latest album, On a Mission, released March 1, 2024, by Admiral Bean Records, is highly anticipated and rightly so. This eleven-song joy ride traverses several root genres (rock, country, gospel) while consistently delivering the melodic rhythms and harmonies we have all grown to love. Their love for each other is evident
throughout, with hints of struggle yet perseverance. Uplifting and inspiring, these two
are undoubtedly "On a Mission.” We are all the fortunate recipients of their incredible
gifts.
"Bottom line: One of the best duos since Johnny and June" ~ Nancy Dunham, The
Washington Times
Anthony Crawford -Anthony Crawford, born in Birmingham, Alabama, has thrived in the music business working alongside
Neil Young, Steve Winwood, and Dwight Yoakam as well as carving out his own solo career, a duo with wife Savana Lee in Sugarcane Jane, and in Americana supergroup Willie Sugarcapps. He currently juggles a multitude of creative outlets including his own recording studio in Loxley, Alabama, Admiral Bean Studio, producing many national acts.
"Anthony Crawford is a very talented guitar player, which, when combined with his soaring vocals, makes him someone to watch. He has the ability to turn his hand to almost any instrument and make it sound good."
~ Steve Winwood
He's had the kind of career that most artists only
dream about. From the age of 18 after graduating high school in Birmingham, Alabama Anthony went from Opryland to the Grand Ole Opry w/Roy Acuff, to being on tour with Sonny James, Neil Young, then Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, and Dwight Yoakam. He's had appearances on Hee Haw, Austin City Limits, Live Aid, Farm Aid, Showtime, the Late Show with David Letterman, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Today Show, Grammy Awards Show, made music videos (Wonderin-Neil Young, Gone-Dwight Yoakam as well as his solo videos), been in movies (Heart of Gold-Neil Young, Neil Young Trunk Show-Neil Young, Blackhawk DVD). He's played on stage with Paul McCartney with Neil Young at Hyde Park. He's taken cover photos on albums like Neil Young's Chrome Dreams II and Pegi Young's Foul Deeds.
The last decade has been an intricate part of Anthony's ultimate direction. After marrying musical partner Savana Lee and settling down in the rural southern Alabama town of Loxley, and having three children, Anthony is well planted in fertile soil. His focus now lies in his family which led him to create Admiral Bean Studio. It is what now drives him as well as enables him to spend more time at home while continuing to explore all creative avenues.
Savana Lee -
Savana was raised along Alabama's Gulf Coast and although she's ventured off at times (New Orleans, Nashville), the coast is her home.
In Music City Savana began her Nashville recordings; six songs titled Untamed produced by Loretta Lynn's sound engineer, Tim Townsend. The songs were never officially released but Townsend was so impressed that he played the album to Loretta’s audience every night prior to her show.
While living in Nashville, she spent time writing and performing at the world renowned Bluebird Cafe, Broken Spoke, and Douglas Corner. Savana's dreams of being an artist were temporarily sidetracked while co-owning and managing a well-respected vintage analog studio in Nashville, TN: Deepfield Studio.
Deepfield Studio recorded many major label artists, including Lucinda Williams whose work there was nominated for a Grammy (Hank Williams Tribute Album “Cold Cold Heart”) and her 2003 release, World Without Tears, Rodney Crowell The Houston Kid, Bruce Cockburn You’ve Never Seen Everything, Emmylou Harris, Terri Clark, Lee Anne Womack, Jack Ingram, Keb Mo, Colin Linden Big Mouth, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, and most importantly, Anthony Crawford.
Savana met Anthony while he was recording his own tracks at Deepfield Studio. He recruited her to sing a few demos for him and they began an everlasting friendship and brotherhood. "I was an immediate fan of Anthony's writing and musicianship. I fell in love with him as an artist and then as a human being. He is an amazing person and my soul mate." Creating harmonies typically heard only from siblings the two decided to record their first album together, Redbird.
The music, as well as family and a budding romance led them back home to the Gulf Coast forming the popular band, Sugarcane Jane.