Burlington, VT-based bluegrass outfit Breakaway formed in 1988, mostly for the purpose of playing local gigs at taverns. Over the next several years, they honed their skills and eventually won the Winterhawk Band Contest in 1994, which led to some recording sessions and the self-released album unpaved road. Festival appearances helped spread the band's following beyond New England, and their third album, 1997's Watershed, began to attract national attention after its re-release by Signature Sounds. At that time, the group featured three lead vocalists in guitarist Andy Greene, bassist Peter Riley, and mandolin player Andy Sacher, and was rounded out by violinist Gene White Jr. and banjoist Scott Hopkins. After a three-year break, Hold With Hope followed in mid-2000. By that time, Greene and Sacher had left the band, replaced by guitarist and lead vocalist Paul Miller. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi
