The Why Store

A folk and blues driven rock band that toured the colleges and bars of Indiana, originally formed in 1992 at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana by Michael David Smith, Greg Gardner, Chris Shaffer & Charlie Bushor. The Why Store broke onto the national scene with their 1996 self titled album and the strength of the popular radio single "Lack of Water." In 1995, the band added keyboardist Jeff Pedersen as an official member and signed with MCA/Way Cool Music. After two albums with MCA/Way Cool Music, the band and label parted ways, after which the band independently released a live album and one final studio album before breaking up in mid-2000. Since the breakup, the band has gotten back together several times to perform occasional "reunion" shows, but have no plans to regroup permanently. Lead singer Chris Shaffer put together a new band for a few years, Shaffer Street, releasing two albums; he also toured as a solo artist, releasing two solo albums. Michael David Smith, Greg Gardner, & Charlie Bushor formed Lost In Lodi, playing shows around the midwest as well. Since 2007, Chris has been touring with a new version of The Why Store which includes no other original members and in March 2009 rereleased his most recent solo album, VIM, as a Why Store album. Their catalog consists of six studio albums and a double live album: Welcome to the Why Store (1993) Inside the Why Store (1994) The Why Store (1996) Two Beasts (1998) Live at Midnight (1999) Life on Planet Six Ball (2000) VIM (2009)