MySpace a place for friends

Every good band has a very humble beginning. For October Road, this is most certainly true. For many accomplished bands, adversity becomes the norm and October Road has certainly faced its fair share. And for many rising bands, it takes a number of different combinations of musicians before it finally feels right. And lord knows the guys in October Road certainly know how that feels as well.

In September of 2004, October Road's original five members set up a very basic PA in a brand new pole shed just west of Little Falls, MN and started banging away at what would become their first working song list. Within 11 months they would go from playing every Sunday at The Iron Rail in Brainerd, MN for $300 and a bar tab to the main stage of one of country music's largest summer festivals. . . . .WeFest! The band followed up that accomplishment by opening for Billy Currington and Little Texas and earning a steady following before taking the stage at WeFest once again in 2006! In the time that has followed those shows until today, the band has performed over 350 shows across the midwest, over 60 county fairs and street dances, was the opening act for Rodney Atkins, Diamond Rio, Chris Cagle, Joe Nichols, Trick Pony, SheDaisy, Rockie Lynne, Halfway To Hazard, the LoCash Cowboys, Jon Randall, and Jessi Alexander, have sold over 4000 copies of their own albums along with over 10,000 single downloads on iTunes, and have also released a full length DVD chronicling the band's first shows in Nashville and the accompanying road trip!

Their accomplishments are many, but those feats overshadow the simple fact that October Road is now comprised of four talented musicians with a tremendous love for making audiences light up as often as they can. It's hard to describe exactly what October Road's sound is. Clearly they're a country band, but being Midwest born, and rock n' roll raised has created a very unique interpretation of country music, or as bassist Joe Thiele often says is "Country without the twang". Comparisons to Cross Canadian Ragweed and Restless Heart are common, but just as common are comparisons to Journey and Boston thanks to the band's very strong vocal harmonies.

The band's debut album "Faded Photographs" straddled the line between the influence of modern country and modern rock. The band's second album moved the band firmly into contemporary country territory and spawned the bands first two regional radio hits with "Sidewalks" and "I Love You Still" as well as a music video for Sidewalks. 2009 has now delivered the long overdue album "Rise and Shine" which features music written by the entire group for the first time. Lead vocalist Shawn Smalley says "The first two albums were mainly about what I wanted to say as a lyricist with the band contributing to the musical aspects of the songs. With the third album it's a very coherent statement as to where the entire band is emotionally, lyrically, and musically, not just one or two guys. It's very exciting!"

Performing upwards of 180 shows a year can be a stressful endeavor if the chemistry in a band isn't right. After nearly five years of shifting line ups, October Road is fortunate to have finally found their perfect mix. The band is anchored by the unparalleled drumming and vocal styling's of Lucas Smilie . Adding the low end to the mix, and the high end to the vocals, is Joe Thiele whose early experience playing in alt-rock bands adds a unique approach to the usually low-key drum/bass parts associated with country music. Ty Taylor brings a solid mix of Nashville chicken pickin' and straight ahead melodic rock riffs to the mix along with outstanding vocals. Finally lead vocalist and songwriter Shawn Smalley lends his powerful vocals, steady rhythm guitar, and insightful lyrics to this incredible group of musicians.

2008 was a very successful year for the band and the group has exceedingly high hopes for 2009. Already solidly booked through the end of 2009 and into 2010, perhaps this will be the band's break out year and you'll be seeing them on CMT and GAC! One can only hope!