
In 1992 the Jayhawks had their major label release, Hollywood Town Hall, on Def American. Drakoulias asked about the music and eventually met with and signed the band to the label later that year. In 1991, Dave Ayers, the head of A&R for Twin Tone, was on a phone call with A&R representative George Drakoulias of Def American while Blue Earth played in the background. in support of Blue Earth, Spencer left the band and was replaced in 1988 by Ken Callahan, who stayed with the band until 1993. On this album Louris shared more of the songwriting with Olson.

Louris returned, and the collected demos from 1986 to 1989 were brought together to create Blue Earth, released on the Minneapolis label Twin Tone in 1989. During this period, Louris left the band briefly (following a car accident) and Dan Gaarder replaced him. Rogers left and was replaced by Thad Spencer, and the band worked for the next years on demo tapes in search of a major label recording contract. Their music at the time, mostly written by Olson, showed a strong roots/ country rock influence.

Their first album, The Jayhawks, was released by Bunkhouse Records, a small independent label, in 1986. Later that year Gary Louris (guitar and vocals) replaced Retzler. In 1985 the short-lived trio was relaunched as a four-piece band after Olson recruited Steve Retzler (guitar), Marc Perlman (bass), and Norm Rogers (drums). The Jayhawks was formed in 1984 by Minneapolis musicians Mark Olson (guitar and vocals) and Caleb Palmiter (bass), with the duo adding Tommy Rey (drums) for its first shows. History Founding years and early success (1984–1995)

They have released eleven studio albums, with and without Olson (who left the band for the first time in 1995), including five on the American Recordings label. Led by vocalists/guitarists/songwriters Gary Louris and Mark Olson, their country rock sound was influential on many bands who played the Twin Cities circuit during the 1980s and 1990s, such as Uncle Tupelo, the Gear Daddies and the Honeydogs. The Jayhawks are an American alternative country and country rock band that emerged from the Twin Cities music scene in the mid-1980s.
