Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS) is an American Southern rock band from Doraville, Georgia. Formed in the summer of 1971, the group originally featured vocalist Rodney Justo, guitarist Barry Bailey, bassist Paul Goddard, keyboardist Dean Daughtry and drummer Robert Nix. This lineup featuring Ronnie Hammond as Justo's replacement became the groups classic lineup. The band's current lineup includes Justo, guitarist Steve "Clean" Stone (since 1986), bassist Justin Senker (from 1992 to 2011, and since 2014), guitarist David Anderson (since 2007), drummer Rodger Stephan (since 2016), and Lee Shealy (keyboards).

History 1971–1983 ARS was originally conceived by producer and songwriter Buddy Buie as the house band of Studio One, a recording studio in Doraville. The group signed with Decca Records and began recording its own material in August 1971, before recording its self-titled debut album in November. By the time the album was released in January 1972, James "J. R." Cobb had joined on rhythm guitar. After touring for a few months, Justo left ARS to move to New York, dissatisfied with the album's reception. He was replaced by Ronnie Hammond. With its new lineup, the group released seven albums over the course of seven years – Back Up Against the Wall in 1973, Third Annual Pipe Dream in 1974, Dog Days in 1975, Red Tape and A Rock and Roll Alternative in 1976, Champagne Jam in 1978, and Underdog in 1979.

The band's next lineup change came when Nix left the band in 1979, "right after Underdog", due to creative differences. He was replaced by Roy Yeager, who had most recently toured with Lobo. Are You Ready!, a collection of live and studio recordings, was released shortly after Yeager's arrival, although Nix claimed he performed on some of the album's tracks. The Boys from Doraville and Quinella followed in 1980 and 1981. The band recorded a new album in 1982, however due to "creative differences" with CBS Records it was unreleased; shortly thereafter, Yeager was replaced by Danny Biget. The next January, Hammond also left to pursue a solo career. Justo subsequently returned on a part-time basis. At the end of 1983, founding member Goddard announced his departure from ARS.

1984–2006 In early 1984, ARS was joined by new vocalist Andy Anderson, bassist Tommy Stribling and drummer Keith Hamrick. Stribling was replaced by Steve Stone in early 1986. By the beginning of 1987, the group had been joined by new vocalist Shaun Williamson, a returning Stribling in place of J. R. Cobb, and new drummer Sean Burke. Around a year later, Ronnie Hammond returned, Brendan O'Brien replaced Stribling, and J.E. Garnett took over from Stone. By the end of 1988, Stone had returned on guitar. This lineup released Truth in a Structured Form in October 1989.

Justin Senker replaced Garnett in 1992, and the new lineup issued Atlanta Rhythm Section '96 in 1996. Ray "R.J." Vealey took over from Burke in 1995, who debuted on the 1997 album of re-recorded material Partly Plugged. This was followed two years later by Eufaula, the band's first album of new material in ten years. During the subsequent tour, Vealey died suddenly of a heart attack on November 13, 1999, which was later deemed to be as the result of "chronic cocaine abuse". He was replaced by Jim Keeling and the group returned to touring in early 2000. In early 2001, Andy Anderson returned when Hammond joined the Voices of Classic Rock touring group. The new lineup toured for five years but did not record, only releasing the 2005 live album Live at Stabler Arena.

Since 2006 In early 2006, founding member Barry Bailey left Atlanta Rhythm Section, with Alan Accardi taking his place. The following year, Accardi was replaced by David Anderson. Andy Anderson was temporarily replaced for tour dates in the spring of 2008, after suffering a heart attack for which he required triple bypass surgery; a friend of his, Steve Croson, took over for a couple of shows, followed later by former members Rodney Justo and Shaun Williamson. In 2011, ARS released With All Due Respect which was dedicated to Ronnie Hammond, who died in March that year.

Shortly after the release of With All Due Respect, founding members Justo and Paul Goddard (both of whom made guest appearances on the album) rejoined the group for the first time since 1983. The band continued touring until April 2014, when Goddard died of cancer. Justin Senker returned to take his place later in the year. Rodger Stephan replaced Jim Keeling in 2016. At the beginning of 2020, Lee Shealy replaced the band's last constant member, Dean Daughtry, who retired in December 2019.

Members Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsRodney Justolead and backing vocalsSteve "Clean" Stoneall Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS) releases since Truth in a Structured Form (1989) Justin Senkerbassall ARS releases since Atlanta Rhythm Section '96 (1996) David Anderson2007–presentall ARS releases since Anthology: Greatest & Latest (2007)Rodger Stephan2016–presentnone to dateLee Shealy2020–present

Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsDean Daughtry1971–2019 all ARS releasesBarry Bailey1971–2006 lead guitarall ARS releases from Atlanta Rhythm Section (1972) to Live at Stabler Arena (2005)Paul GoddardbassRobert Nix1971–1979 all ARS releases from Atlanta Rhythm Section (1972) to Are You Ready! (1979) James "J. R." Cobb1972–1986 Ronnie HammondRoy Yeager1979–1982Danny Biget1982–1983noneTommy StriblingKeith Hamrick1984–1986Andy Andersonlead and backing vocalsall ARS releases from Live at Stabler Arena (2005) to With All Due Respect (2011)Jeff Logan1985noneSean Burke1987–1995Shaun Williamsonlead and backing vocalsnoneJ. E. Garnett1988–1992bassTruth in a Structured Form (1989)Brendan O'Brien1988"R. J." Vealey1995–1999 Jim Keeling1999–2016all ARS releases from Live at Stabler Arena (2005) to With All Due Respect (2011)Alan Accardi2006–2007Anthology: Greatest & Latest (2007) Steve Croson2008 lead vocalsnone

Timeline

Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesSummer 1971 – January 1972Rodney Justo – lead vocals Barry Bailey – guitar Paul Goddard – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Robert Nix – drums, backing vocalsAtlanta Rhythm Section (1972)January – summer 1972Rodney Justo – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar J. R. Cobb – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Paul Goddard – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Robert Nix – drums, backing vocalsSummer 1972 – summer 1979Ronnie Hammond – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar J. R. Cobb – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Paul Goddard – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Robert Nix – drums, backing vocalsBack Up Against the Wall (1973) Third Annual Pipe Dream (1974) Dog Days (1975) Red Tape (1976) A Rock and Roll Alternative (1976) Champagne Jam (1978) Underdog (1979)Summer 1979 – summer 1982Ronnie Hammond – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar J. R. Cobb – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Paul Goddard – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Roy Yeager – drums, percussionAre You Ready! (1979) The Boys from Doraville (1980) Quinella (1981) Live at the Savoy, New York (2000)Summer 1982 – January 1983Ronnie Hammond – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar J. R. Cobb – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Paul Goddard – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Danny Biget – drums, percussionrowspan="8" January – December 1983Rodney Justo – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar J. R. Cobb – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Paul Goddard – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Danny Biget – drums, percussionEarly 1984 – 1985Andy Anderson – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar J. R. Cobb – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Tommy Stribling – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Keith Hamrick – drums, percussion1985Jeff Logan – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar J. R. Cobb – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Tommy Stribling – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Keith Hamrick – drums, percussion1985 – early 1986Andy Anderson – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar J. R. Cobb – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Tommy Stribling – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Keith Hamrick – drums, percussionEarly – late 1986Andy Anderson – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar J. R. Cobb – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Steve Stone – bass, backing vocals Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Keith Hamrick – drums, percussionEarly 1987 – early 1988Shaun Williamson – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar Tommy Stribling – rhythm guitar Steve Stone – bass, backing vocals Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Sean Burke – drums, percussionEarly – late 1988Ronnie Hammond – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar Brendan O'Brien – guitar, backing vocals J.E. Garnett – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Sean Burke – drums, percussionLate 1988 – 1992Ronnie Hammond – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar Steve Stone – guitar, backing vocals J.E. Garnett – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Sean Burke – drums, percussionTruth in a Structured Form (1989)1992–1995Ronnie Hammond – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar Steve Stone – guitar, backing vocals Justin Senker – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Sean Burke – drums, percussionAtlanta Rhythm Section '96 (1996)1995 – November 1999Ronnie Hammond – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar Steve Stone – guitar, backing vocals Justin Senker – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals R.J. Vealey – drums, percussionPartly Plugged (1997) Eufaula (1999)November 1999 – early 2001Ronnie Hammond – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar Steve Stone – guitar, backing vocals Justin Senker – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Jim Keeling – drums, percussionEarly 2001 – early 2006Andy Anderson – lead vocals Barry Bailey – lead guitar Steve Stone – guitar, backing vocals Justin Senker – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Jim Keeling – drums, percussionLive at Stabler Arena (2005)Early 2006 – spring 2007Andy Anderson – lead vocals Steve Stone – lead guitar, backing vocals Alan Accardi – guitar, backing vocals Justin Senker – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Jim Keeling – drums, percussionAnthology: Latest & Greatest (2007)Spring 2007 – summer 2011Andy Anderson – lead vocals Steve Stone – lead guitar, backing vocals David Anderson – guitar, backing vocals Justin Senker – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Jim Keeling – drums, percussionChampagne Jam Live (2007) Hot Southern Nights (2007) With All Due Respect (2011)Summer 2011 – April 2014Rodney Justo – lead vocals Steve Stone – lead guitar, backing vocals David Anderson – guitar, backing vocals Paul Goddard – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Jim Keeling – drums, percussionrowspan="4" Summer 2014 – early 2016Rodney Justo – lead vocals Steve Stone – lead guitar, backing vocals David Anderson – guitar, backing vocals Justin Senker – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Jim Keeling – drums, percussionEarly 2016 – December 2019Rodney Justo – lead vocals Steve Stone – lead guitar, backing vocals David Anderson – guitar, backing vocals Justin Senker – bass Dean Daughtry – keyboards, backing vocals Rodger Stephan – drums, percussionJanuary 2020 – presentRodney Justo – lead vocals Steve Stone – lead guitar, harmonica, backing vocals David Anderson – guitar, backing vocals Justin Senker – bass Lee Shealy – keyboards, backing vocals Rodger Stephan – drums

References

External links Atlanta Rhythm Section official website