Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors

Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors is an Americana band from Memphis and East Nashville, TN. The band was formed in 2006 by Drew Holcomb (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica), and it includes his wife Ellie Holcomb (vocals, guitars), Nathan Dugger (guitar, keys), and Rich Brinsfield (bass).

The band has sold over 100,000 albums to date, and played over 1,800 concert dates in seven countries. Their songs have received 40 TV placements, appearing on How I Met Your Mother, Criminal Minds, Parenthood, Nashville, HOUSE, Justified and more.^[1]

Their most recent album, Medicine, debuted at No. 47 on Billboard 200 and landed on several other Billboard charts, including: Folk Albums (No. 5), Independent Albums (No. 9), and Rock Albums (No. 12).

History

Early years

Drew Holcomb began his musical career as a solo act. In 2003, he recorded his debut EP Lost And Found in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Two years later, Holcomb released the full-length album Washed In Blue, which led to multiple TV placements, including Lifetime's Army Wives and Showtimes's United States of Tara, and A&E's The Cleaner.

Band formation and Passenger Seat (2003–2008)

While attending University of Tennessee, Holcomb met Ellie Bannister, daughter of producer-songwriter Brown Bannister. The two married in 2006 and now live in Nashville.^[2]

Shortly after their wedding, Drew collaborated with Ellie as well as Nathan Dugger and Rich Brinsfield to form a band. At the time, they all lived in the same zip code, and thus "The Neighbors" were officially appended to Drew's artist career.

In August 2008, the band released a 10-track album called Passenger Seat, which reached No. 3 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart.

A Million Miles Away and Live Forever EP (2009–2010)

Holcomb and his band increased their following with a heavy touring schedule. They headlined regionally in the Southeast and also supported many national acts, including Susan Tedeschi, Ryan Adams, Los Lobos, The Avett Brothers, Robert Earl Keen, and Marc Broussard.

In August 2009, the band released the 11-track album A Million Miles Away.

Holcomb was featured on Paste Magazine's November 2009 Sampler CD. In fall 2009, the band appeared alongside Pat Green, Billy Joe Shaver, and Darryl Worley on the PBS TV show Legends and Lyrics.

In December 2009, the band released a five-track EP called Live Forever, which charted at No. 3 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart. A limited edition version of the EP followed in 2010. 2010 also brought about "The Beat Lives Forever" co-headline tour with Ben Rector in the US, with sell out shows in most markets.

Chasing Someday (2011–2012)

The band partnered with Dualtone Records for their next album, Chasing Someday. Released in February 2011, the 13-track album earned Holcomb his first appearance on the Billboard charts.

Chasing Someday debuted at No. 3 Billboard Heatseekers, No. 156 Billboard Top 200, No. 45 on Billboard Overall Digital Albums, No. 19 on Billboard Independent Album Chart and No. 8 on Billboard Folk Albums.

Chasing Someday saw TV placements on "One Tree Hill", "Justified", "HOUSE", "Oprah", "Deadliest Catch", NFL Films, among others.

The band embarked on the heaviest touring season since its inception, playing over 400 shows for the Chasing Someday cycle and their first sell out performances in venues beyond the Southeastern United States.

"Live Forever"

In 2011, TNT used Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors song "Live Forever" for their NBA Christmas Day Premiere commercial called "NBA FOREVER". The song was used as background music for a montage of iconic NBA moments both past and present.

This piece was highly acclaimed, receiving features in The Boston Globe, Huffington Post, NBC Sports, NBA.com, Business Insider and Sports Illustrated. The commercial was also awarded a Sports Emmy.^[1]

Through the Night

In summer 2012, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors released a covers album titled Through the Night. It was recorded live at Ardent Studios in Memphis and features the band's interpretations from some of their inspirations, including songs originally recorded by Tom Petty, Hank Williams, John Prine, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, and Patty Griffin to name a few.

Good Light (2013–present)

In February 2013, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors released their most successful album to date, Good Light, through self-owned imprint Magnolia Music and management company's Good Time Records.

The 12-song album debuted No. 84 on Billboard Top 200 and landed on several other Billboard charts, including: Folk Albums (No. 5), Independent Albums (No. 14), and Rock Albums (No. 23). Good Light peaked at No. 18 on the Americana radio format chart.

Good Light outsold its previous commercial release in four months time. The album and its songs saw features in USA Today, E! News, Huffington Post, vh1, CMT, American Songwriter, Paste, No Depression; and TV placements including How I Met Your Mother, Criminal Minds, Nashville, The Fosters, The Neighbors, About a Boy, among others.

The band toured heavily, first in direct support for Needtobreathe's US "Drive All Night" Tour and Drew later directly supported John Hiatt's West Coast tour as a solo performer. The band's "Good Light Tour" sold out shows in the following cities: Atlanta, GA; Oklahoma City, OK; Jackson, MS; Indianapolis, IN; Minneapolis, MN; Denver, CO; Charlottesville, VA; Auburn, AL; Knoxville, TN; Roanoke, VA; Washington, DC; New York, NY; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; College Station, TX; Austin, TX; Birmingham, AL; Athens, GA; Asheville, NC. Support for the tour included a rotating cast featuring: Judah & the Lion, David Ramirez, Emily Hearn, Penny & Sparrow, Colony House, and The Saint Johns.

The Good Light album also brought forth international headline touring for the first time, with shows in the UK, Scandinavia, Denmark, and Canada, as well as many notable prestigious US festival appearances, including Bonnaroo, Hangout Music Fest, Forecastle, Houston Free Press, Bele Chere, Voodoo Experience, Cask & Drum and more.

Medicine (2015 – present)

Medicine is the 2015 follow-up to Drew Holcomb's 2013 album Good Light. Recorded over eight days in East Nashville with coproducer Joe Misapia (Ben Folds, Josh Rouse), Medicine centers on honest performances that range from introspective ("Ain't Nobody Got It Easy") to full-on Springsteen-like heartland rock ("Shine Like Lightning"). The close-knit group, featuring Holcomb's wife Ellie, guitarist Nathan Dugger, and bassist Rick Brinsfield, achieve an intimacy that transcends folk, country, and rock.

Medicine has seen placements in The Middle (ABC), America's Got Talent (NBC), Elementary (CBS), Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family), Vampire Diaries (CW), Chasing Life (ABC Family), Resurrection (ABC), The Red Road (Sundance Channel), Dick's Sporting Goods commercial "The Hoop", The Fosters (ABC Family), About a Boy (NBC), The Neighbors (ABC), Academy Sports & Outdoors Commercial, Blood & Oil (ABC), and Criminal Minds (CBS), Jenny's Wedding (film), and One Day (documentary).

Medicine debuted at No. 47 on Billboard's top 200 along with other Billboard charts: Digital Albums (No. 23), Folk Albums (No. 6), Indie Albums (No. 9), Internet Albums (No. 11), Rock Albums (No. 12), and Top Current Album Sales (No. 30).

Record store day

In April 2013, Drew Holcomb And The Neighbors released an exclusive 7-inch vinyl, Live at Eddie's Attic for Record Store Day. Record Store Day is an annual, global event that celebrates the history and culture of independent record stores. The band’s release featured two tracks: "Sing, Nightingale" and "I Need You, You Need Me".^[3]

Personal information

Hampton Andrew "Drew" Holcomb, Jr.,^[4] was born on May 13, 1982,^[5] in Memphis, Tennessee.

Holcomb's younger brother, Jay, was born with spina bifida, a condition which paralyzed him from the chest down. In 1999, when Drew was 17, Jay died. The pain of this loss is embodied in Holcomb's song "Sweetness," from the album Washed in Blue.

Drew attended college at University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he developed his musical artistry more seriously.

During that time he met his future wife and bandmate, Ellie Bannister. After their wedding in 2006, the couple joined forces musically, forming "Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors."^[6]

In 2012, Drew and Ellie gave birth to their first child, Emmylou. Named after Emmylou Harris, the littlest Holcomb often accompanies The Neighbors on tour.^[7]

Since the birth of their daughter Emmylou, Ellie has toured less consistently with the band, and has also released music as a solo artist, including her critically acclaimed album "As Sure as the Sun", produced by father Brown Bannister and Ben Shive.

The young Holcomb family currently resides in East Nashville, TN.

Philanthropy

Drew and Ellie Holcomb have both been active in their support of several non-profit organizations, including: ONE Campaign, Blood:Water, Mocha Club, World Vision, St. Jude Children's Hospital, Soulsville Foundation, and multiple cancer research and awareness organizations.

The Holcombs have also been involved in Nashville Young Life and performed at multiple Young Life camps throughout the U.S.^[8]

Moon River Music Festival

The inaugural Moon River Music Festival was founded by Drew Holcomb and took place at the historic Levitt Shell in Memphis, TN on June 7, 2014.

Over 3000 people attended the one-day festival from all over the US, mainly the Southeast, featuring local, regional and national Americana, Rock, and Soul acts, such as Will Hoge, The Dirty Guv'nahs, Holly Williams, Rob Baird, Judah & the Lion, Dwan Hill, DJ Radski, Apollo Mighty, Myla Smith, Stax Music Academy Alumni, and Idle&Wild.

A portion of the proceeds benefited St. Jude Children's Hospital, Soulsville Foundation, and the Levitt Foundation.

Festival Sponsors included SouthernSun Asset Management, Strategic Financial Partners, Wiseacre Brewing Co, Auto Zone, Yuengling, Choose 901, Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Advisors, and the Memphis Flyer.

Discography

Albums

Music videos

References

Sources

• http://blogs.suntimes.com/ourtown/2009/03/club_hopping_march_6-12.html
• http://www.briterevolution.com/artists/drew-holcomb-and-neighbors/
• http://www.legendsandlyrics.com/
• http://www.answeringbell.com/Answering%20Bell/2004%20Shows/2004.10.06.htm
• http://www.pastemagazine.com/store/product/48/BI/paste_back_issues/issue_48_november_2008_single_copy
• http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/Music/Content?oid=120021
• http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/Aug/29/holcomb-finds-perfect-person-to-occupy-passenger/
• http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20080829/ENT/308299992&SearchID=73340051153389
• http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/crossfade/2009/01/subterranean_finds_james_dunn.php
• http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-12-14-Christmas-music-list_N.htm
• http://www.mountainx.com/belechere/2009/band/drew_holcomb
• http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p05012.htm
• http://www.relatemag.com/2011/05/ellie-holcomb-a-christian-vessel/
• http://noteworthy.web.unc.edu/2014/12/04/the-reasons-behind-drew-and-ellie-holcombs-growing-popularity/