How To Play Shenandoah Band Songs On Guitar

Welcome to your ultimate guide to mastering the classic country sounds of the Shenandoah band on guitar. Whether you are looking for the iconic opening licks of 'Two Dozen Roses' or the soulful chords of 'Sunday In The South,' our step-by-step lessons break down the hits that defined 90s country.

Shenandoah’s music is known for its blend of traditional bluegrass roots and contemporary country polish, and these tutorials are designed to help you capture that signature style. Grab your guitar and let’s dive into the Shenandoah songs that every country player should have in their repertoire

Two Dozen Roses is perhaps Shenandoah’s most enduring hit, also from the 1989 album The Road Not Taken. Released as a single in August 1989, it became the band's second #1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

The song’s catchy hook and clever lyrics—about a man trying to win back his partner with flowers and "a bottle of wine"—made it an instant classic.

A fun piece of trivia: the song has had a massive second life in the 21st century, often being covered by modern country stars like Luke Combs. Its enduring popularity even led to a 2023 re-recording featuring Combs, introducing the track to a whole new generation of country fans.

Sunday in the South is one of Shenandoah's most iconic tracks, released on the 1989 album The Road Not Taken. It was released as a single in May 1989 and soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

The song is a vivid, nostalgic painted picture of life in a small Southern town, referencing everything from "biscuits in the oven" to "old Glory flying at the courthouse." It has become a quintessential Southern anthem.

A bit of trivia: the song’s success was so massive that it helped the album The Road Not Taken achieve Gold certification, a major milestone for an independent-leaning band from Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

The Moon Over Georgia is a ballad from Shenandoah's 1990 album "Extra Mile." The song was written by Mark Narmore and features Marty Raybon's soulful vocals.

" The Moon Over Georgia" was a hit for Shenandoah, reaching #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1991. The song's success helped to solidify Shenandoah's status as one of the top country bands of the early 1990s.

Country artist Larry Boone had recorded the song a year earlier.

Church on Cumberland Road is a country music song by Shenandoah, which was released as a single in 1989 and became the band's first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It remained at the top of the chart for two weeks.

The song was written by Bob DiPiero, John Scott Sherrill, and Dennis Robbins.

"The Church on Cumberland Road" was featured on Shenandoah's second studio album, "The Road Not Taken," which was released in 1989.  this day.

Apparently, when Rascal Flatts was forming as a group, this was the song they sang to work on their harmonies.

Ghost in This House is a beautiful ballad from Shenandoah's 1990 album "Extra Mile." The song was written by Hugh Prestwood and was later covered by Alison Krauss, who had a hit with the song in 1999.

"Ghost in This House" became a hit for Shenandoah, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The song's success helped cement Shenandoah's status as one of the leading country music bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The Dixie Chicks, a.k.a.The Chicks, also covered this song.

If Only was featured on the band's 1994 album In the Vicinity of the Heart and later on Every Road. Released as a single in early 1994, the song reached #45 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. While it didn't reach the Top 10 like their earlier hits, it is often cited by fans for Marty Raybon’s soulful, emotive vocal delivery.

The song is a poignant "what if" ballad, exploring the lingering regrets of a lost relationship. A bit of interesting trivia: this track was released during a period of transition for the band as they moved to Liberty Records, and it helped bridge the gap between their classic 80s sound and the polished production that defined country music in the mid-90s.

Mama Knows is a standout track from their 1988 breakthrough album The Road Not Taken. Released as a single in late 1988, it climbed to #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming their first Top 10 hit.

The song resonates with many due to its relatable lyrics about a mother’s uncanny "sixth sense" regarding her children’s lives and heartbreaks.

An interesting fact about this song is that it was written by Tony Haselden and Tim Mensy; it served as the definitive proof that Shenandoah could compete with the heavy hitters of the "New Traditionalist" movement, like George Strait and Randy Travis, by focusing on storytelling and acoustic-driven melodies.

Next to You, Next to Me was released in 1990 as the lead single from Shenandoah's album "Extra Mile." It was written by Robert Ellis Orrall and Curtis Wright.

The song features a lively, upbeat melody with a classic country sound and is notable for its catchy chorus and memorable guitar riffs.

"Next to You, Next to Me" was a commercial success for Shenandoah, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1990.  Rascal Flatts also covered this one as a bonus track from their 2012 changed album.

See If I Care  appeared on the band’s 1990 album Extra Mile. Released as a single in 1990, it reached #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. This track is a mid-tempo breakup song that showcases the band's ability to blend traditional country themes with a slightly more contemporary, radio-friendly rhythm.

The song’s longevity on the charts was a testament to the band’s consistency during the early 90s country boom. Interestingly, the music video for the track featured the band in a more relaxed, "live" setting, which helped solidify their image as a hard-working touring group rather than just a studio project.

The Road Not Taken is the title track of their highly successful 1989 sophomore album. Released as a single in early 1989, it reached #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Taking its title from the famous Robert Frost poem, the song explores the choices we make in life and the paths we leave behind. The track is notable for its intricate guitar work and the tight, high harmonies that became the band’s signature.

Interestingly, while the song is a fan favorite, it was actually the third single released from the album, following "She Doesn't Cry Anymore" and "Mama Knows," proving the incredible depth of that particular record.

Then a Girl Walks In is a track from Shenandoah's 2020 album "Every Road." The song was written by Marty Raybon, Michael Curtis, and Mike McGuire and features Raybon's signature vocals.

"Then a Girl Walks In" has been well-received by fans and critics alike and is a standout track on the "Every Road" album. The song's positive message and infectious energy make it a great addition to the Shenandoah discography, and it shows that the band is still capable of creating fresh and exciting music after more than three decades in the business.

It's great to see this band performing once again. I'll add a link near the bottom of the page where you can catch up on their latest tour dates.

Shenandoah was very popular in the late 1980's and early 1990's and charted 26 singles, of which 5 went to #1.  Lawsuits over the bands name crippled them financially and by 1992, they were without a contract. by 1997, Shenandoah disbanded. 

The group re-united once more in 2000 and changed members over the years with lead vocalists Marty Raybon re-joining the group in 2014. 

As 2014 rolled around, Marty Raybon re-joined the group with the only other original band member drummer Mike McGuire. In March 2019 Shenandoah released their new album "Reloaded" and have released a single called "Noise" but the song failed to chart.

Many people don't know that Marty battled alcohol and it's demons but quit smoking and drinking on the very same day. He spends much of his down time working with prison inmates. Their latest album is a collaboration with some of country's top artists. The album is called Every Road. Current members as of 2026 are:

• Mike McGuire – drums, backing vocals (1984–1997, 2000–present)
• Marty Raybon – lead vocals, acoustic guitar (1984–1997, 2014–present)
• Donnie Allen – fiddle, acoustic guitar (1990–1997, 2014–present)
• Paul Sanders – bass guitar, backing vocals (2014–2016, 2018–present)
• Austin Brown – electric guitar (2024–present)