The Hot Seats, originally Special Ed and The Shortbus, are a Richmond, VA bluegrass/old-time band - formed 2002 by students at Virginia Commonwealth University.
The original lineup that appeared on the group's first two albums in 2004 consisted of Ed Brogan, guitar; Ben Belcher, banjo; Jake Sellers, percussion; Josh Bearman, mandolin; Aaron Jonah Lewis, fiddle; Bryan Walthall, tenor banjo; Daniel Plotnick, guitar and F.M. Turner, bass.
By 2007, Walthall, Plotnick, and Turner had left the band, leaving a 5-piece. Bass duties were taken up by both Bearman and Belcher. Additionally, Bearman had taken up both the clawhammer and tenor banjo. The group's repertoire had widened dramatically by this point, incorporating tunes from traditions such as klezmer, ragtime, and swing.
In 2008, the band changed their name to "The Hot Seats."
In 2009, Lewis left and was replaced by Graham DeZarn.