Collective Soul

Collective Soul
Collective Soul is an American southern rock band from Stockbridge, Georgia. They have been famous on alternative rock and mainstream rock radio since 1994. Their seven singles reached the #1 position on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Their music is characterized by heavy guitar flicks and catchy melodies. Their lyrics are generally spiritual and thought provoking in nature.

Ed Roland studied songwriting, composing and guitar at Berkley College of Music in Boston. Ed began working at Real 2 Reel Studios in Atlanta during the 1980s and early 1990s. The studio is owned by Will Turpin's father. Ed did production and engineering work for local Atlanta artists. He also recorded his own demos and his independent solo album Ed-E Roland in 1991. Ed had been in underground bands and did some performing of his own. He had a band in the late 80's called Marching Two-Step before the formation of Collective Soul which also included Shane Evans; they were a legitimate band for about 3 years.

In early 90s Ed started focusing on his carrier and securing contracts and deals for songwriting and publishing. Initially there were disappointments and rejections but fortune smiled on him after struggling for almost one year. In 1993 when his song Shine became an underground hit on a legendary College radio station in Orlando. It was around this time that Ed brought along Shane Evans, his brother Dean Roland, Will Turpin and Ross Childress. That line up than came up as Collective Soul.

The group?s self-titled second album arrived the following year, and more than lived up to the promise of the debut, scoring RIAA triple platinum and logging a 76-week run on the Billboard 200. Collective Soul offered a remarkable quartet of singles 1. December
2. Where The River Flows
3. The World I Know

All the above mentioned singles rose to the #1 spot on the nation?s rock chart. They would go onto to gain heavy rotation on MTV and Much Music.

Released in 1997, Disciplined Breakdown did not sell as well as the band's previous records but eventually went platinum, while Collective Soul?s chart-topping streak continued. This time their following songs went on to hit #1 on the rock charts. 1. Precious Declaration

2. Listen

The group released its fifth studio album, Blender in 2000. It did not do well as their other albums, although the first single Why, Pt. 2 reached #2 on the mainstream rock chart. Eventually the album was RIAA certified Gold. Rolling Stone gave Blender a very positive review as did many other critics.

In November 2004, they released their long-awaited sixth studio album, Youth, on their own independent label, El Music Group. It was re-recorded a couple of times over two years. The album played at a respectable #66 on the Billboard 200. The band scored a Top 10 rock hit. The record showcased a regenerated band ready to do some good work. The record was still along the lines of pop and rock, but was more balanced than Blender. The second single, Better Now was a huge hit on Adult Top 40 radio.

The original drummer Shane Evans left the band during this period. Currently drummer Ryan Hoyle has been the drummer during touring, and is credited with playing on eight of the 11 songs on Youth. Later, Hoyle was officially named as the band's drummer on the Collective Soul website.

Collective Soul's seventh studio album, Afterwords was released on August 28, 2007. Afterwords debuted at # 25 on the Billboard Comprehensive Albums Chart and # 5 on the Billboard Top Internet Albums Chart. The band made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on August 31st to promote the album and they performed Hollywood. Collective Soul is currently on tour with Live and Emerson Hart.