What do you call a pop band from the 90's with 8 Top 40 Hits, one of them reaching 1 in the US, Southeast Asia and England while becoming the 4th most played song of 1995 and another huge Top 10 Hit in 1999; who's toured through Europe and all 50 states; performed with Cher, The Goo Goo Dolls, Bon Jovi, Huey Lewis and the News, Sean Kingston, Third Eye Blind, Sister Hazel, Shania Twain, Mike and The Mechanics and Vertical Horizon; played two sellout shows at Royal Albert Hall in London; had their songs performed in movies with Jodie Foster, Jim Carrey, Alyson Stoner, Penny Marshall, Lucas Grabeel and Luke Perry and on TV shows like Cold Case, All My Children, Dancing With The Stars and American Idol; performed on Regis and Kathy Lee, Conan O'Brien and the Zappa Brothers Happy Hour Show; had a Gold Record in Australia; had their videos played on VH1, MTV and CMT; recorded on Carole King's tribute CD, Tapestry, along with Richard Marx, Celine Dion and All For One? You guessed it; the most popular band you've never heard of…Blessid Union Of Souls...
After rotating band members, management companies and record labels over the past few years, day one faithfuls lead singer/songwriter, Eliot Sloan and bassist Tony Clark along with 6 year vets Bryan Billhimer (guitars) and Shaun Schaefer (drums) are back with the band's 7th CD, Close To The Edge.
"This has really been an exciting and emotional roller coaster ride and it's not over yet," says Sloan, who's long time partner Jeff Pence abruptly, and not so amicably, left the band at the end of 2006. "All we ever wanted to do was write and record songs and perform them on the road and I thank God we've been able to continue to do that. When Jeff left, the four of us just stayed focused and continued to move forward." When asked of the details of Pence's departure Sloan just says, "it's a long story. He had some personal problems and decided not to continue with us, that's pretty much it."
With the upcoming release of 'Edge' on Canadian based Torque Records, the band embarks on releasing a CD that is more indicative to what the four of them bring to the table musically. Taking 8 tracks from their previously independent CD, 'Perception' and adding 4 fresh new songs to the record, the band is back in full force with a new outlook on their careers and an innovative management company to guide them. After signing with Atlanta based New Line Management, headed by Caleb Morgan, the band saw a light at the end of the tunnel that they had not seen in a long time. "Caleb brought a new sense of direction, energy, passion and excitement to the band that had been missing for a while now" says Billhimer. "I can't remember when the band felt this confident before. Even when we first hooked up with Blessid, there was a sense leadership that was missing that Caleb helped restore." Adds Clark, "it's great to be with a manager who says they're going to do something and then actually does it."
With an upcoming tour in the works along with other avenues of promotion, Blessid Union Of Souls fans can be reassured that they have not abandoned the song writing integrity that helped establish them as one of the premier groups of the mid to late nineties. Their knack for simple, sing along melodies can be heard in the instantly likeable 'I'll Be There' and their taste for intriguing subject matter is evident in songs like their opening track, 'Back From The Dead' which is an emotional piece about recovery from addictions. "That one means a lot to us, especially Tony and I" admits Sloan. "He was the inspiration for that song".
As for Blessid's live show, it's as energetic as it was when their first CD 'Home' was released and certified Gold in 1995. Now as a four piece, the band is more challenged than ever in producing on stage what has been accomplished in the studio and it's a challenge that the band is up for. "There are some things that's just not going to be there when you only have the four of us up there" quips drummer Schaefer, "but I think we're able to put enough passion and energy into the performance that hopefully no one will really notice or care that every instrument you hear on the record isn't there live. That's how it's been in every band I've been in, you get up there rock out and leave it all on stage and at the end of the show the people will appreciate that."
With a humble, not so rock star attitude, radio friendly songs and an absolute love for their fans, Blessid Union Of Souls continues to defy the odds and stay afloat in this rocky and unpredictable music business. But with a new CD on the horizon and tour dates to follow, the band doesn't apologize or complain about the climate of the industry. They just continue to do what they do best, write great songs and play great shows. If you want to check out a vintage pop rock band with an edge, make sure it's Blessid Union Of Souls.
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www.blessidunionofsoulsonline.com
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RECORD LABEL
TORQUE RECORDS
www.torquerecordsonline.com
MANAGEMENT
NEW LINE MANAGEMENT
CALEB MORGAN
www.newlinemgmt.com
BOOKING
Universities/Colleges only:
Linda Fogg Fogg Entertainment
[email protected]
(614) 451-1100
Clubs/ Corporate Events only:
Tko Agency Jenny McPhee
[email protected]
310-273-9200
MYSPACE LAYOUT AND DESIGN
JUSTIN REICH
www.justinreich.com
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