Emerson Drive - Countrified

The Long Road to the Here and Now

Emerson Drive exploded out of Canada in 2001. They signed with Dreamworks records and became one of the very few artists in the business to play all their own instruments on their records. Emerson Drive consists of bandmates Brad Mates on lead vocals, Dale Wallace on keyboards, Danick Dupelle on guitar, David Pichette on fiddle, Mike Melancon on drums and Patrick Bourque on bass guitar. They took several industry awards including CMA's Top New Vocal Group/Duo in 2003. They also had two Top 5 hits with "Fall into Me" and "I Should Be Sleeping." Right after their second album, What If, was released in 2004 their label went through corporate restructuring leaving the band without a label. They decided to settle down in Nashville to be readily available for anything that might pop up. They started working on their own songwriting skills and fate played into their hands when Teddy Gentry, of Alabama fame, and Producer Josh Leo came to hear them shortly after their release. Under their direction the band started getting serious. It was a project that they had no idea when or where it would be released, they just worked at making it the best they could. That dedication is very evident in the finished album.

And the Here and Now is 'Countrified'

Newly formed label, Midas Records, listened to what Emerson Drive had to offer and signed them a short time later. songwriter Keith Follese and Publisher Brad Allen helped in the song selection and production process for some tracks and Teddy Gentry and Josh Leo on others. There are some party songs such as "Testify" and "Countrified Soul." There are some heart wrenching ballads such as "Moments" and "Everyday Woman." When they started to record a song they perform in their live shows Charlie Daniels himself showed up to sing with them on "Devil Went Down to Georgia." It was a fitting end to a great album. It also includes an interactive web connect feature when played on a PC/Mac. It offers access to exclusive content, chat with other fans and sometimes meeting the performers themselves. This album seems to reflect what Emerson Drive is all about and that is excellence. They excelled in the song selections and they excelled in the delivery of the chosen material. They are able to portray something close to what you will find in their live shows in this little round disc. That is something that many artists try for and few can achieve with a studio album. It is a real keeper.