Sister Hazel released their self-titled debut album through their independent record label, Croakin' Poets. Neither Ryan Newell nor Mark Trojanowski were in the band when the Sister Hazel album was originally released. The group is known for devoting much of their time to fans and charity events in the spirit of the band's namesake, "Sister Hazel", the elderly coordinator of a homeless shelter in Gainesville, FL.

The band's second album, ...Somewhere More Familiar, sold approximately 30,000 copies through its initial pressing, prompting Universal Records to sign the band. Universal re-released ...Somewhere More Familiar and, together with the band's second label release Fortress, the two releases feature the band's most successful hit songs: "All For You", "Change Your Mind", and "Champagne High".

In 2003, after the band split from Universal, they released their fourth studio album, Chasing Daylight, on the Sixthman label and toured throughout the year to promote the album. The band's internet presence emerged during this time period, and hardcore fans dubbing themselves "Hazelnuts" studied setlists, shared bootleg concert recordings, and initiated a promotion scheme with the band through their official website. 2003 also saw the simultaneous release of Live*LIVE, a two-disc live album, and A Life in the Day, a live DVD.

In 2004, Sister Hazel released their next studio album Lift. Songs from Lift were re-recorded for 2005's Lift: Acoustic Renditions, an EP of studio acoustic takes on five of the songs, offered exclusively through Apple's iTunes Store. In July of 2005, the Sister Hazel album was re-issued again by Sixthman, in response to claims that the album had become difficult to find in stores.

Sister Hazel are currently promoting their new album, Absolutely, which was released on October 10, 2006. The band also continue to tour and hold their annual fan gathering events, The Rock Boat and The Rock Slope. Absolutely is the band's highest charting album on the Billboard charts following Fortress and it received 4 out of a possible 5 stars from All Music Guide, a tie with Fortress's score.

Sister Hazel's songs are often confused with songs from Blues Traveler due to the lead singers of both bands sounding very much alike.

On June 5th, 2007, Sister Hazel released a "hybrid" album entitled BAM! Volume 1. It contains B-sides from the Absolutely recording sessions and some from previous albums.

Sister Hazel also released a holiday album called Santa's Playlist on September 25, 2007.

Sister Hazel Williams was an African-American woman who ran Sister Hazel's Rescue Mission in Gainesville Fl. during the 1970's and early 80's. This facility gave those who were down on their luck a safe place to stay warm, eat and regroup-regardless of age, race or beliefs. It is in this spirit of unconditional concern for all beings that the band had chosen to use her name.

• Ken Block - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
• Jett Beres - bass
• Andrew Copeland - rhythm guitar, vocals
• Ryan Newell - lead guitar and slide guitar
• Mark Trojanowski - drums

• Official site
• Official MySpace page
• Official Street Team
• German Fan Site
• Fan-run message board