This Canadian band was started in 1995 by Brad Mates, David Pichette, Danick Dupelle, Mike Melancon, Patrick Bourque, and Dale Wallace when they hailed the name "12 Gauge". They wore trenchcoats and held guns. They had a lot of success in Canada so they decided to go to Nashville for a American record deal. They found out the name "12 Gauge" was already taken therefore they chose "Emerson Drive" after a local road Emerson Trail. They also dropped the trenchcoats and guns after what happened in Columbine, Colorado.
They released "I Should Be Sleeping" in 2001 and it was a top 5 hit on the Billboard charts. Their following single, "Fall Into Me" was also a hit. In 2004, they hired on Richard Marx to produce their second album. "What If" it debuted at #12 but the singles from it all struggled. Eventually, Dreamworks dropped them. Keith Follese and Brad Allen launched a new label Midas Records Nashville. They signed Emerson Drive and with Teddy Gentry producing it they released their fifth album. Their singles are climbing the charts.
In the last year, each member has purchased their own home in Nashville. For almost a year and a half they were virtually homeless except for their tour bus. Now, they have some where to put there belongings. It's a great feeling for them to finally have someplace to call home. To think all this started with a local high school talent show.
Their popularity has grown so much over the last year. Emerson Drive were invited to Rock the Hill for the 110th Congress as special guests of the Canadian Embassy and the Canadian Ambassador. The special invitation came to the band while they were in Canada, busy touring their native country on a national tour playing to sold out crowds across the country. Then they flew to Washington, DC earlier this week (April 16, 2007) to play this special concert at the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum for the Congress and their staff members. Now that's an honor!
They have a lot of celebrity dates set up for softball, bowling, and much more. If you wish to see these guys on tour, be on the look out since their shows sell out quickly.
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