Pat Monahan & Train: The Voice of the Dreamer

The Spark: For Pat Monahan, music was a lifeline out of Erie, Pennsylvania’s small-town grind. Singing in church as a kid, he felt the pull of melody, but it was the yearning to be heard—really heard—that drove him. He didn’t just want to sing; he wanted to connect, to make strangers feel less alone.

The Story: Born in ‘69, Pat bounced through cover bands in the ‘80s before landing in San Francisco. There, in ‘94, he formed Train with Rob Hotchkiss, Jimmy Stafford, Charlie Colin, and Scott Underwood. I caught them early at tiny clubs, Pat’s voice soaring over rootsy riffs. Drops of Jupiter (2001) launched them—multi-platinum, arena-bound. Through lineup shifts (Hotchkiss and Colin out by 2003), Pat’s kept Train chugging, his earnest croon a constant. Solo detours like Last of Seven (2007) showed his range, but Train’s his heart. I’ve shot him sweaty and smiling, crowd-surfing at 50.

Bands: Train, solo work.

Bandmates (Train, peak era): Pat Monahan (vocals), Rob Hotchkiss (guitar), Jimmy Stafford (guitar), Charlie Colin (bass), Scott Underwood (drums).

Relationships: Married twice—first to Ginean Rapp (divorced), then Amber Peterson since 2007. Rumors of a fling with Sheryl Crow circa ‘Drops’ swirled but faded.

Screen Time: Hawaii Five-0, The Voice as a mentor, Train’s “Hey, Soul Sister” in Glee.

Awards: Two Grammys for “Drops of Jupiter” (2002), Billboard Music Awards, but no Hall nod yet.

Biggest Songs:

• “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” – Pat Monahan, Train.
• “Hey, Soul Sister” – Pat Monahan, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund.
• “Meet Virginia” – Pat Monahan, Train.
• “Calling All Angels” – Pat Monahan, Train.

Controversy: Nothing major—some fans griped about Train’s pop pivot, but Pat’s too likable for real heat.