| Between
the pickin', the grinnin', the drinkin', the partyin', the "all nighters"
and "three dayers", October Road has chalked up a resume that puts most
bands in the Midwest to shame. They've earned a reputation as one of the
hardest working and hardest partying groups in the region, and that's putting
it lightly! If you come to an October Road show you better bring your drinking
hat and cab fair, because people tend to raise a little hell when the boys
start throwing down their unique, groove oriented approach to modern country.
Don't believe me? How about the stats. . . . . . . two straight record
breaking years at WeFest, a very talked about 5 night stand at the North
Dakota State Fair, featured opening act for Billy Currington, Chris Cagle,
Trick Pony, Little Texas, Rockie Lynne, Diamond Rio, to say nothing for
numerous K102, Wild 99, and Froggy 99 media events, over 700 shows in 3
years, 60+ Street Dances and Fairs, and of course two critically acclaimed
and solid selling albums, plus an upcoming DVD documentary/concert called
"The Other Side". . Do I need to go on. . . . . . . . . okay I will!
However,
almost immediately 2006 brought changes galore for the band. Just before
entering the studio to record their second album, and first as a whole
band, Danna and Shawn's marriage unraveled, creating chaos throughout the
band, and bringing new found relevance and depth to the songs on what became
"Expectations". Then, almost immediately after recording the album, drummer
Matt Kargas informed the band that family commitments required his exit
as well. The band found themselves with a new album in the can, and half
a band to perform it. But just as things looked completely lost, once again
WeFest came calling with three more performances! Motivated by the opportunity,
the guys scraped themeselves off the stage floor and quickly found drummer
Luke Nygaard to fill Matt's big shoes. And fill him he did as the band's
musicianship thrived and grew immensely with this new found talent added
to the mix. Opening up for Little Texas in June convinced the band to finally
drop the 50/50 mix of rock and country that made up their song list, in
favor of an 80/20 mix of country and rock, and the band's popularity skyrocketed!
Setting a new attendance record for the kick-off party at WeFest that summer,
playing for 5 hours straight no less, the band band headed into the fall
with a new found drive and dedication to take the world by storm.
In
October of 2006 the band recorded their first music video for their single
"Sidewalks". Come November the band was knee deep into filming their first
concert DVD when The Wild Horse Saloon in Nashville, TN asked the band
to come down for two performances. Seeing an incredible opportunity to
make new fans, and play in front of industry insiders, the band gave a
great big, and immediate yes, and packed up for the trip! With a film crew
in tow, the band journeyed 1000 miles and rocked The Wild Horse for two
nights in a row, earning an immediate request to come back as soon as possible.
That entire trip, the concert, and the music video are all included in
the band's upcoming DVD "The Other Side".
Closing
out 2007 with an opening slot for Chris Cagle and as a featured performer
for Wild 99's CMA party, the band once again looked onward to another year.
Thus far 2007 as found them performing for Froggy 99's Kenny Chesney Pre-Party,
opening for Trick Pony, releasing a brand new DVD, adding new clubs and
fans at a record pace, and most recently signing on with the top agency
in the MidWest "The Music Works". With opening act slots for Rockie Lynne
and Blackhawk coming up soon, and a new album due in early 2008, October
Road is once again ramping up to take a shot at the next level. . . . .
. . . . .and this time they mean the big time! Be sure to catch October
Road at an event near you! You won't be disappointed. . . . . .I promise. |
