Though the Canadian-based Cowboy Junkies brought a more produced, pop sound to

1998's Miles From Our Home, the laid-back country/blues rock band failed to

break through to a wider audience.

But that might be just fine for the durable quartet (three of whom are siblings) that draws

dedicated crowds to its frequent tours. The Cowboy Junkies have built a steady career

over the past 14 years.

Today is the 38th birthday of Cowboy Junkies' lead singer Margo Timmins, who was

born in Montreal, Canada. She formed the band in Toronto in 1985 with guitarist brother

Michael, drummer brother Peter and bassist Alan Anton. Michael and Anton were

childhood buddies who played in punk bands in New York and London in the early '80s.

When he returned to Canada, Michael began jamming with his brother and reunited with

Anton to form Cowboy Junkies, with Margo as singer.

Cowboy Junkies released their indie debut, Whites Off Earth Now!, in 1986. It

came to the attention of RCA, which picked up the group and issued 1988's The

Trinity Session. The LP was recorded in an old church during a 14-hour session, and

became a college radio hit. The Junkies' cover of Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" was the most

popular cut, though other covers – such as Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could

Cry" -- also did well.

Margo's sultry, languid delivery immediately became the most identifiable characteristic

of the band, but Michael soon developed into a songwriter of slow, grooving country-rock

melodies. The Caution Horses (1990) and Black-Eyed Man (1992) were

both built around Michael's picaresque tales. The latter included a duet with John Prine

on "Southern Rain." Texas songwriter Townes Van Zandt also contributed several songs

to the LP.

Pale Sun Crescent Moon (1993) featured the catchy "Anniversary Song," "The

Post" (written by Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis) and "Crescent Moon" (dedicated to Van Zandt).

In fact, some of the songs were inspired by the works of Van Zandt, William Faulkner and

Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Lay It Down (1996) spawned the alternative radio hit "A Common Disaster," and

was certified gold, but was not a smash. Last year's Miles From Our Home

showcased more modern rock than any previous Junkies LP had; it was produced by

John Leckie, who had worked with John Lennon, Yoko Ono, George Harrison, the Verve,

Radiohead, Kula Shaker and Spiritualized, among others.

Margo said at the time: "The Junkies have been together 12 years. So we pretty much

know what we like by now. When someone comes and tries to tell us what to do, we can

get pretty aggressive."

Songs on Miles From Our Home included the title track single

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music/Cowboy_Junkies/Miles_From_Our_Home.ram">(RealAudio excerpt),

"New Dawn Coming" and "Hollow as a Bone." The Junkies toured last year in support of

the album and performed at a number of Lilith Fair shows.

"Sure, it would be great to sell a lot of records," Margo said. "But when we first formed the

band, our goal was longevity -- not to just fade out. I feel sorry for those flash-in-the-pan

bands. I don't know what it does to their heads. We'll just play until we're finished."

Other birthdays: Bobby "Blue" Bland, 69; Rudy Maugeri (Crew Cuts), 68; Nick Mason

(Pink Floyd), 54; Nedra Talley (Ronettes), 53; Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy), 48; Seth

Justman (J. Geils Band), 48; Gillian Gilbert (New Order), 38; and Mike Patton (Faith No

More, Mr. Bungle), 31.