Second Cup Café: The Jayhawks

(CBS)  Alternative country pioneers, the Jayhawks, have been rocking and rolling for nearly 20 years.

With a songwriting style often compared to Crosby, Stills and Nash, and melodies deeper than their Midwest roots, many critics agree that the Minnesota-based balladeers just might be the most famous band you've never heard of.

The Jayhawks visited The Early Show's Second Cup Cafe to sing songs from their new album, "Rainy Day Music."

The Jayhawks have been flying under the music radar for years. They have been touring relentlessly since 1989, and have been together since 1985. "Rainy Day Music," their seventh album, premiered at No. 51 on the Billboard Top 200 - the highest a Jayhawks album has ever placed.

The Jayhawks were local favorites in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, clubs before being discovered by a local independent label, Twin/Tone, which released some of their early works. Moving to a larger record label, the band signed with Def America (now known as American) in 1992.

The Jayhawks' debut album on the record label, "Hollywood Town Hall," was a critical favorite. It was followed by other fan favorites such as 1995's "Tomorrow the Green Grass," 1997's "Sound of Lies," and 2000's "Smile."

"Rainy Day Music" special guests include Jakob Dylan, Mathew Sweet, Chris Stills and former Flying Burrito Brother and Eagle Bernie Leadon.

Current members of the Jayhawks are singer/guitarist/songwriter and co-founder Gary Louris, bassist and co-founder Marc Perlman, drummer/percussionist Tim O'Reagan, and pedal/lap steel player Stephen McCarthy.