The band consists of singer Todd Snider, bassist Dave Schools from Widespread Panic, Neal Casal of Chris Robinson Brotherhood on guitar and vocals, Chad Staehly of Great American Taxi on keyboards and Duane Trucks (Derek's younger brother) on drums.

"[2] The album was recorded at Bob Weir's TRI Studios in San Rafael, CA in 2013.

Schools and Snider split the production duties, while John Keane handled the mixing.

Hard Working Americans was initially released on January 21, 2014 on Thirty Tigers/Melvin Records.

Hard Working Americans received generally favorable reviews from critics.