| Emerson Drive Countrified - Continued |
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Emerson Drive - Countrified (continued)
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EMERSON DRIVE
COUNTRIFIED (Continued)
 “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 thing was that we were getting really involved in our music and that time allowed us to get to know Teddy and Josh and find all of the songs that make up this album,” says keyboardist Dale Wallace. As producers, Gentry and Leo understood what kind of sound Emerson Drive was going for, especially in capturing the band’s live sound in the studio. With Gentry and Leo at the helm, the songs took center stage and the difference is evident in the finished product. “We really let the songs breathe a little bit this time around,” says Wallace “It is a much more relaxed and more like our live sound.”
When the newly formed independent label Midas Records Nashville heard some of the material the band was cutting, they immediately became interested and later signed the band, recognizing the quality and integrity of the music they were hearing. Renowned songwriter Keith Follese and publishing veteran Brad Allen helped in the song selection and production process as well, adding to the project. Emerson Drive became the flagship artist for the new record label.
Emerson’s electrifying onstage energy also comes through at every turn on their new CD called COUNTRIFIED. Rocking tunes like “Testify” and “Countrified Soul” let the band do what comes naturally and what they do best – tear it up on stage. “Countrified Soul” kicks off with a blast of the band’s signature harmonies, then quickly turns into a full-tilt, fun-filled, “the weekend’s-here-let’s-party” romp where the guys turn it up and let it loose. Dubbed “turbograss” by Gentry, the song allows Emerson Drive’s amazing musicianship to shine through during its fiery instrumental breakdowns, and offers up a groove that is equal parts squaredance/breakdance as they break it down countrified style. “’Countrified Soul’ is the party song on the record,” says drummer Mike Melancon. “It’s just so much fun to play live. I think it really captures the spirit and energy of this band.”
At the other end of the spectrum are songs like the sweetly reverent “Everyday Woman,” perhaps the jewel of the album and a career ballad. The touching sentiment is sure to capture more than a few female hearts with its simple yet elegant message singing the praises of the everyday woman who probably seems ordinary to most of the world but is actually everything to her man. Demonstrating his versatility and range even more, Mates taps into his Southern soul on the grooving, “Sweet Natural Girl,” (a tune that paints a picture of bliss through the eyes of a man totally and completely intoxicated by love ). On “Painted Too Much Of This Town,” and “You Still Own Me,” the band deals with the flip side of love, when a heart just can’t shake that certain someone and the longing that comes with that, while their first single, “A Good Man,” celebrates the small town life and rewards of just being a good person – a sentiment the members of Emerson Drive definitely relate and aspire to in the bigger picture.
As a special treat for fans on the album, the group included its own rendition of “The Devil Went Down To Georgia,” which they have been performing live in concert for years. In a flattering show of support for the band, Charlie Daniels himself recorded part of the track with them, which literally blew the minds of all of the members, especially fiddler David Pichette, who grew up honing his chops to Charlie’s songs. “I owe a great deal to guys like Charlie Daniels and Alabama,” admits Pichette. “They gave us fiddler players something to play coming up through the clubs when we were just starting out. It was just amazing to work with both Teddy and Charlie on this record…I can’t even explain it!”
The touching ballad “Moments,” demonstrates Mates’ strength as a singer by letting his vocals take center stage. The tear-jerking tune about a homeless man reflecting on the twists and turns of his life, and what he might have done differently, is sure to become another signature song for this versatile band. COUNTRIFIED and its eleven songs mark an artistic turning point for the band. They feel they have finally made a record that is truly indicative of their talents and musical capabilities.
“These songs have incredible meaning and we are really proud of this album,” says Mates. “There’s a common bond between all them. You know, it’s important to make an album that makes sense…you can pick songs all day long, but if they don’t belong together, or there’s no common bond between them, you’re basically just putting material on a disc and saying, ‘Here’s a bunch of music, I hope you like it.’ But if you actually have something you can open up from front to back and have the story run through the whole thing, that’s when you have a real album. We feel like we have accomplished that. We hope our fans enjoy COUNTRIFIED.” |
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WYCD honors our Fallen Soldiers
Monday, May 26th, 99.5 WYCD aired the WYCD Fallen Soldier Tribute. No worries if you missed it - you can download the podcast inside, right here at WYCD.COM. Memorial Day is a time to remember the fallen with parades, tributes and stories. Please feel free to share your tributes and stories inside.
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A Proud Father's Memories on Memorial Day
"As I sit here in my living room, surrounded by memories of times past, I see photographs of happier times. I see Justin’s Senior Picture…taken in my dark blue suit and tie, (The tie that I had to tie and that he complained about.) “It’s not me” he said putting it on. . .. Those people that we speak about during ceremonies, parades and speeches, are real people, not distant heroes, Our Heroes. They have real families. They deserve this day. Please honor them for their sacrifices, because at my house… everyday is Memorial Day." Please feel free to share your thoughts inside, on this, and what Memorial Day means to you.
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Dear Friends... I want to thank each of you personally for your part in this 4th Entertainer of the Year Award . . .When I stood on the stage and said "this means the world to me," I meant it . . .because it means not only am I blessedwith the best fans in the world, but you guys were willing to stand up for us and be counted. . . (Leave your comments for Kenny inside!)
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Toby Keith on his USO Tour in Iraq
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What motion pictures should be filmed in Michigan?
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Funny Hoedown Moments!
Well, the 2008 lineup for the WYCD Hoedown has been announced and I'm so pumped! Twenty-two national acts, dozens of great local acts, original stage configuration, plus a new 3rd stage and so much more! Read about it inside and then share with us what was the funniest thing (or person) you've ever seen at Hoedown!
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Guatemala turned out to be so much more wonderful that I ever imagined. We fell in love with the people and their rich culture. . . . Have you ever considere d living somewhere else? I really never did until I started traveling to CentralAmerica and meeting so many Americans who have relocated. . .
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Queen Tut 2008
GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN….. Hail to “Queen TUT 2008!" After our annual “Wild Woman’s Weekend”….I am SO proud to say that I, Linda Lee, was crowned “Queen TUT” this past weekend at Tip Up Town in Houghton Lake! Check out the photos and tell me about your "Wild Women's Weekends!"
Click here for more WYCD Blogs! |
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