Emerson Drive

Emerson Drive's new album on Midas Records Nashville proves they've definitely come to play. Over the past few years, the six talented musicians have patiently paid their dues, honed their skills and crossed the country dozens of times with a relentless touring schedule. They were virtually homeless, except for a tour bus, while they worked toward their turn at bat and now their time has come.After a year and a half of the most soul-stretching, creatively fulfilling work of their lives, they have emerged with an album that finally defines who they really are and what they're all about.

"The title of the record basically sums up everything we are as a group," says lead vocalist Brad Mates. "It's the music we feel is Emerson Drive, and it's a stamp of what we believe is our kind of country music...something our fans can really relate to."

The fans have never had a difficult time relating to the explosively exciting band, whose live show is so engaging and entertaining that Shania Twain tapped them to open for her on her last major North American tour. In fact, after losing their record deal on DreamWorks Records a year and a half ago the band has still maintained an active touring schedule -- another testament to their popularity and the unending devotion of their fans. "Our fans are so supportive and have been there for us from the very beginning. We're lucky to have them," explains bassist Patrick Bourque.

"The fans have been there since the success of our first 2 records but it's definitely our hits 'Fall Into Me,' 'I Should Be Sleeping' and 'Last One Standing,' that have connected us to so many people," comments Mates. "We already have a good foundation for a fan base across the country and we hope to continue to build on that with the music on this new album."

Emerson Drive's history is based on a solid foundation which garnered them their loyal fans. The band emerged from Canada onto the Nashville country music scene in 2001 with their brand of hip country combined with stellar musicianship and signed with DreamWorks Nashville.Emerson Drive is one of the VERY few bands ever signed to a major record label who have the distinction of playing their own instruments on ALL of their records. They humbly accept this honor because they are true instrumentalists. Their first release EMERSON DRIVE garnered numerous industry awards and nominations including, ACM Top New Vocal Group/Duo [awarded in 2003]; Billboard's #1 Top Country Artist of the Year for 2002; R&R's #1 New Artist MVP for 2002; Group of the Year for two consecutive years[2002 and 2003], from the Canadian Country Music Association; two Top 5 hits with "Fall Into Me" and "I Should Be Sleeping"; as well as a number one music video on CMT's Top Twenty Countdown with "Fall Into Me." Most recently the band took home top honors at the 2005 CCMA's with coveted spots in the "2005 CCMA All Star Band," Dale Wallace (keyboards) and David Pichette (fiddle) were awarded the distinction of being best on their instrument.their release, the second on DreamWorks, WHAT IF, was released in June 2004 just before the band was prey to corporate restructuring and a company merger. Committed to their music and their genre the band set down roots in Nashville and purchased homes there and have dedicated themselves even more to their careers.

"We've all purchased homes in Nashville in the past year," says lead guitarist Danick Dupelle, "and we feel like we are a part of the community now.We've set up shop here and it's more accessible to songwriting and any other business that needs to be done. It's nice to have a home base for our personal belongings, whereas before it was always in a hotel or on a bus. It's just a more comfortable setting that allows us to relax more and be creative."

The near two-year hiatus gave band members a chance to hone their own writing skills and to really take some time to select songs with messages they felt they could really relate to on a personal level. "As a singer my job is to interpret the songs, and make people feel something when I sing them. Danick and I both have some songwriting credits on this new record.The entire band made decisions on song selections this time also and I think that made a difference too," says Mates.

When Alabama member Teddy Gentry and producer Josh Leo came out to hear Emerson Drive just after the band had been released from DreamWorks, Gentry and Leo were immediately blown away by what they heard and wanted to work with the band.It was the ultimate compliment for a group of guys who had idolized Alabama and their music. Obviously the input and direction of two industry leaders like Gentry and Leo proved invaluable to the band and added even more to their rejuvenated recording process.

We all decided to start writing together and doing preproduction for a demo. At the time, we were doing preproduction for a project that we had no idea of where or when it might be released. The great thin