For some bands, the writing is on the wall. In just two years from their first gig, Adelayda became the first local band in a decade to sell out their city.s biggest club; gained radio support from the region.s hottest radio station, and attracted the attention of one of the South's most beloved and respected music entrepreneur.
And it almost didn.t happen. In late 1999 Birmingham, AL based singer/songwriter Jeff Holmes was ready to sign up with one of the country.s largest financial firms, guaranteeing the talented tunesmith a six-figure income, retirement plan and all the other perks of the corporate high-finance.
But it didn.t happen that way. Instead, Holmes took off his tie, and put his guitar strap over his shoulder and continued to follow his dreams. Holmes gained a solid support base in the Birmingham coffeehouse and bar circuit he towed throughout high school, where performers, patrons and promoters all told him the same thing about his music: You're just too good to do anything else..
Holmes set about upgrading his acoustic act to a full rock outfit, starting with the addition of veteran local powerhouse drummer/singer Dan Baker. Holmes and Baker were introduced by a mutual friend, and immediately hit it off, with Baker laying a solid foundation for Holme's edgy, emotional tunes. Baker called upon his former bandmate Justin Gannon to handle the guitar chores, supplying powerful leads and moody guitar lines that helped flesh out Adelayda.s sound. Holmes made a phone call to his old friend Jackson Eppley, a studio bass player who had relocated from Birmingham to Nashville. Eppley joined, and Adelayda was complete.
The group immediately generated a buzz on the Birmingham music scene, and caught the attention of deejays from regional rock station WRAX, who played a pivotal role in launching bands like Matchbox 20 and Train into the national spotlight. Adelayda was asked by WRAX to play at one of their station-sponsored events, where they were given the chance to open for local rock heroes Course of Nature.
While opening for Course of Nature at the 5 Points Music Hall South Music Hall, Adelayda caught the attention of Ronnie Gilley, Course of Nature's manager and president of Superkala Records. "I immediately noticed the sincerity that flowed from both their lyrics and their music,. stated Gilley, adding, .I knew that it truly came from the heart." The overwhelming reaction of Adelayda.s growing legion of fans sealed the deal for Gilley, who signed the group to his label, Superkala Records.
Gilley sent the band into Memphis. legendary Ardent Studios to cut a demo, which he delivered to WRAX. Immediately, the songs on the EP became some of the stations most requested, and the buzz on Adelayda continued to spread like wildfire. One month later, Adelayda played their EP-release party to a packed house at the 5 Points Music Hall in Birmingham. Adelayda.s performance marked the first time in over a decade that a local act accomplished the feat of selling out the cavernous venue.
In the past few months, radio stations across the nation have been adding the single "Not Tonight" as well as "Crowded Room" to their playlist, while record stores struggle to keep the EP on their shelves. Adelayda is currently working on their first full-length album with veteran producer Greg Archilla (Collective Soul, Edwin McCain, Matchbox 20) handling the production chores. The CD is slated for an October 2003 release, and record stores are already overwhelmed with advance orders.
