Rusted Root

Rusted Root is an American worldbeat rock band that formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1990. The band was founded by singer-guitarist Michael Glabicki, bassist Patrick Norman, and percussionist Liz Berlin. Their early days involved performing as the house band for weekly gigs at Jack’s Back Room on Pittsburgh’s South Side. This period allowed them to develop their unique sound, which is characterized by a fusion of acoustic, rock, and various global musical styles, heavily featuring a percussion section inspired by African, Latin American, Indian, and Native American traditions. Michael Glabicki has acknowledged Peter Gabriel’s 1986 album “So” as an influence on their worldbeat direction.

The band rose to prominence in 1994 with the release of their platinum-selling album “When I Woke.” This album featured the hit single “Send Me on My Way,” which gained significant recognition and has since been prominently featured in various films and commercials. Rusted Root has sold more than three million albums throughout their career. Their discography includes several studio albums such as “Cruel Sun” (1992), “Remember” (1996), and “Welcome to My Party” (2002). The band continued to release music, including “Stereo Rodeo” in 2009 and the fan-funded album “The Movement” in 2012.

After actively touring through 2015, Rusted Root went on an indefinite hiatus. Following this, principal songwriter and vocalist Michael Glabicki formed a new group called Uprooted, continuing to tour with this new project into the early 2020s. The band’s musical style often incorporates lyrical themes related to Christianity and Judaism, reflecting a diverse approach to their content alongside their global musical inspirations.