Affliations to Emerson DriveRelationship to the E-drive membersMember InfoAges/BirthdaysHometownsMarital Status/ChildrenFormer Members12 GaugeThe E-drive Behind the Scenes CrewRecord LabelDiscographyProducersSinglesVideosLyricsAward & Nominations12 Gauge CDsWhen is Emerson Drive coming to...?Meeting the bandGifts for the bandBooking InfoCover songsContacting the bandJoining/Contacting fan clubCharity InquiriesContacting the webmastersRandom informationBoxers/briefsLiving quartersGeneral Site/Webmaster Info:
Am I Emerson Drive or affiliated with Emerson Drive?:
Unfortunately not. I am just a big fan of the guys and have a fan site for them, and as far as I know, they've never been here, and if they ever happen to show (and I find out about it), I'll let you all know!
Do we know Emerson Drive?:
As we stated on our webmaster's page, Loralie has met them a few times, but is just a fan doing a fansite for a great band and has no all access information for you (if you want to meet them, join the fan club, or hope they do a general meet & greet after the show) and I'm sorry, but I will not ask any of the guys to date/propose/marry you (which previously has actually been asked of me). Joanne went to school with a few members of the original 12 Gauge band (and was a classmate of Brad's) but she has a policy with Emerson Drive not to disclose personal information, so PLEASE don't ask her to.
Band Info:
The members of Emerson Drive are:
Brad Mates: lead vocals/guitar (usually during "A Good Man" and their acoustic set)
Danick Dupelle: guitar/background vocals
David Pichette: fiddle/mandolin
Mike Melancon: drums
Dale Wallace: keyboard/guitar/background vocals
Arlo Gilliam (tours as backup bassist)
Full Names
Bradley "Brad" Lydell Mates
David "Dave" Pichette
Danick (DAH-nick) Dupelle (no middle name)
François Michel "Mike" Melancon (Mel-eh-sone *sone rhymes with phone* and has some funky French nasal thing that I can't do!)
Dale Robert Wallace
(Sorry, not all middle names are public information, so if you know something we don't, please let us know. Thanks!)
Individual Facts
Ages/Birthdays:
Brad: 29 -- July 21st, 1978
Mike: 29-- August 13th, 1978
David: 30 -- July 23rd, 1977
Dale: 38 -- November 1st, 1969
Danick: 34 -- September 29th, 1973
Hometowns (various publications and bios have listed others, however):
Brad: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
Danick: Notre-Dame Perrot, Quebec, Canada
Dale: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
David: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Mike: Lac Des Ecurces, Quebec, Canada
Marital Statuses:
All members are single (meaning not married) except Mike, who was married to wife Heather in January 2008--no other personal life questions, including girlfriends, will be answered by the webmasters. However, if one of the guys does happen to get married one day (and it is an actual news item that was send out by Emerson Drive's publicist), then we will post it, but won't comment on it. Thanks.
Children:
None
Original Emerson Drive Members:
Brad Mates
Jeff Loberg -- Bass (from inception to August 2002)
Patrick Bourque -- Bass (August 2002-July 31, 2007)
Patrick Allingham -- Fiddle/Guitar/Background Vocals (from inception to June 2003)
Chris Hartman -- Keyboards/Guitar/Background Vocals (from inception to March 2003)
Danick Dupelle
Mike Melancon
When Did Chris Leave the Band?
Chris decided to leave the band in March 2003 to go back to school to become a teacher, married Terri in October 2003 and is now a father.
When Did Jeff Leave the Band?
Jeff's last show was August 3rd, 2002---he decided to leave the band to work on his songwriting and is now married with a child, living in Alberta (I believe).
When Did Pat Allingham Leave the Band?
Pat left June 7th, 2003 and went home to Canada to his wife Christa and infant daughter Talia. He's pursuing a career in the medical field. Update 10/06 -- Pat is living in Saskatchewan, working as a realitor and he and Christa welcomed a son in Summer 2006. Congratulations!
When Did Patrick Bourque Leave the Band?/Date of death?
Patrick left the band in July 2007 for unknown reasons (although it was reported he left to work on side projects at home in Montreal) and had moved home to Montreal, Quebec after leaving Nashville. He was working on the French Canadian talk show of Belle et Bum during the months of August and September 2007.
Patrick passed away the evening of September 27th, 2007 at his home in Montreal, Quebec at the age of 29, a little over a day before his 30th birthday.
Origin of the Band:
Emerson Drive first started in a high school talent contest by original members Brad, Pat Allingham, Chris Hartman & a few other friends. Jeff Loberg joined later, and after a few members of the original band left, Mike and Danick joined the group. Jeff Loberg (2002), Chris Hartman (2003), & Pat Allingham (2003) decided to leave Emerson Drive. Patrick Bourque joined the band in August 2002 and decided to leave in August 2007, a couple of days short of five years. The newest members include Dale and David (2003).
Origin of the Name of the Band:
They were once called 12 Gauge and dressed in trenchcoats and had shotguns in their promo photos, but changed their name (and got rid of the guns) to Emerson Drive (after a road in Alberta called "Emerson Trail"), after the Littleton, CO shooting. Also a rapper in NY has the name 12 Gauge. Brad is the only original 12 Gauge member left but the group also included former E-drive members Pat Allingham, Chris Hartman & Jeff Loberg). A 12 Gauge page is coming soon.
The Drive Crew:
Tricia Cramer - Fan Club President/Webmaster
Gerry Leske - Manager
Joey Gonzales: New Tour Manager
Chad Paradowski - Sound Tech
Jared Gray - Merchandise
Scott Mattevi - Production Manager and FOH Sound Engineer
Michael Zradicka - Bus Driver
The Drive Crew page coming soon!
Music/CD Info:
"Emerson Drive" CD Release Date:
May 21, 2002
"Emerson Drive" FYI:
The guys do play their own instruments on ALL their records.
"Only God" was set to be the first single, was sent to radio, and a video was shot, but the idea was scrapped for "I Should Be Sleeping," and "Only God" later became the third single (with a brand new video).
"What If" CD Release Date:
June 29, 2004
"Countrified" CD Release Date:
September 19, 2006 /July 11, 2006 (Canada)
Record Label:
Midas Records Nashville
Former Record Label:
DreamWorks (Universal) Nashville (no longer in operation)
Producers:
James Stroud (Emerson Drive), Julian King (Emerson Drive), Richard Marx (two songs on Emerson Drive and the whole What If CD), Keith Follese, Brad Allen, Teddy Gentry (bassist from Alabama) & Josh Leo (Countrified).
Singles:
I Should Be Sleeping (# 4-- Billboard)
Fall Into Me (# 3-- Billboard)
Only God (Could Stop Me Loving You) (# 24-- Billboard)
Waitin' on Me (Canadian single only)
Last One Standing (# 20-- Billboard)
November (# 42-- Billboard)
If You Were My Girl (Canadian single only - # 7 R&R Canada)
Still Got Yesterday (Canadian single only)
A Good Man (# 6 Canada -- # 16 in the US)
Countrified Soul (Canadian single only)
Moments (# 1 - Billboard, R&R, and Music Row)
You Still Own Me (US single only: #22--Billboard)
Testify (Canadian single only)
Everyday Woman (Canadian single only)
Videos:
I Should Be Sleeping (# 2 CMT)
Fall Into Me (# 1 CMT)
Only God (Could Stop Me Loving You)
Last One Standing (# 8 CMT)
November
If You Were My Girl (Canadian video only -- # 2 CMT Canada)
Still Got Yesterday (Canadian video only)
"A Good Man" (# 1 CMT Canada)
Countrified Soul (Canadian video only -- # 1 CMT Canada)
Moments (# 2 CMT -- # 1 CMT Canada)
You Still Own Me (US video only)
Lyrics:
Check out the music page.
Awards/Nominations:
CCMA's 1998 Independent Group of the Year - Nomin.
Big Country Awards 1998 -Best New Duo or Group - Nomin.
Billboard's 2002 New Artist of the Year -Win
Radio and Record's 2002 New Artist of the Year - Win
CCMA's 2002 Chevy Rising Star - Win
CCMA's 2002 Top Duo/Group - Win
CCMA's 2002 Musician Of The Year Award -Chris (keyboards) - Win
CCMA's 2002 Musician Of The Year Award - Mike (drums) - Win
CCMA's 2002 Musician Of The Year Award - Jeff (bass) - Win
CCMA's 2002 Single Of The Year for "I Should Be Sleeping" - Nomin.
CCMA's 2002 Album Of The Year for "Emerson Drive" - Nomin.
CCMA's 2002 Video Of The Year for "I Should Be Sleeping" - Nomin.
CCMA's 2002 Musician Of The Year Award - Pat (fiddle) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2002 Musician Of The Year Award - Danick (guitar) - Nomin.
2003 Juno Awards- Country Recording of the Year- Emerson Drive - Nomin.
CMT 2003 Flameworthy Breakthough Artist of the Year (Fall Into Me) - Nomin.
2003 ACM Top New Duo/Group of the Year - Win
CCMA's 2003 Top Duo/Group - Win
CCMA's 2003 Musician Of The Year Award -Chris (keyboards) - Win
CCMA's 2003 Musician Of The Year Award - Mike (drums) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2003 Musician Of The Year Award - Pat Bourque (bass) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2003 Musician Of The Year Award - Pat Allingham (fiddle)- Nomin.
CCMA's 2003 Musician Of The Year Award - Danick (guitar) - Nomin.
2004 British Columbia Keyboardist of the Year - Dale - Win
2004 British Columbia International Achievement - Dale - Win
2003 British Columbia International Acheivement - Dale - Nomin.
CCMA's 2004 Top Duo/Group - Nomin.
CCMA's 2004 CMT Video of the Year- Last One Standing - Nomin.
CCMA's 2004 All Star Band -Dale (keyboards) - Win
CCMA's 2004 All Star Band - Mike (drums) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2004 All Star Band - Patrick (bass) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2004 All Star Band - David (fiddle)- Nomin.
CCMA's 2004 All Star Band - Danick (guitar) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2005 Top Duo/Group - Nomin.
CCMA's 2005 All Star Band -Dale (keyboards) - Win
CCMA's 2005 All Star Band - Mike (drums) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2005 All Star Band - Patrick (bass) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2005 All Star Band - David (fiddle)- Win
CCMA's 2006 Top Duo/Group - Nomin.
CCMA's 2006 Video Of The Year for "A Good Man" - Nomin.
CCMA's 2006 All Star Band -Dale (keyboards) - Win
CCMA's 2006 All Star Band - Mike (drums) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2006 All Star Band - Danick (guitar) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2006 All Star Band - David (fiddle) - Win
Juno 2007 Country Recording of the Year - "Countrified" - Nomin.
ACM 2007 Group of the Year - Nomin.
CCMA's 2007 Top Duo/Group - Win
CCMA's 2007 Album Of The Year "Countrified" -- Nomin.
CCMA's 2007 Video Of The Year for "Moments" - Win
CCMA's 2007 Single of the Year for "Moments"- Win
CCMA's 2007 All Star Band -Dale (keyboards) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2007 All Star Band - Mike (drums) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2007 All Star Band - Danick (guitar) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2007 All Star Band - David (fiddle) - Nomin.
CCMA's 2007 All Star Band - Patrick (bass) - Nomin.
CMA 2007 Group of the Year - Nomin.
CMA 2007 Video of the Year - "Moments" - Nomin.
ICMA 2007 Video of the Year - "Moments" - Win
GRAMMY 2008 Country Duo/Group Vocal Performance "Moments" - Nomin.
2008 Campus Activities Magazine Reader’s Choice Award in the category of “Best Major Performance - Win
2008 Dove Awards for Special Event Album of the Year "Songs4Worship Country" - Nomin.
2008 ACM Vocal Group of the Year - Nomin.
2008 ACM Song of the Year- "Moments" - Nomin.
12 Gauge CDs:
The CDs Brad (and former E-drive members Pat Allingham, Chris, & Jeff) made as 12 Gauge ("Open Season" and "Until You Walk the Tracks") are very hard to find and are no longer in print. "Open Season" was only sold in small quantities around the Grande Prairie area, but "Tracks" might be easier to find. We have added lyrics, but no clips as we would be wanted dead or alive by Brad Mates! Haha!
"November" Song Information:
I have been asked if I know where the location of some of the places mentioned in the song "November," as the e-mail stated that the places could be located in Boston. After much searching, "Beacon Hill" and "Hungry Eye (spelling may be different)" are in Boston, and one of the songwriters, Angelo, hails from Boston. We --those who helped me-- didn't get any answers from the songwriters or Emerson Drive, but that's what answers the research gave us...(Thanks to Liz!)
Tour Info:
When are the guys coming to...?
I try get the tour page updated as soon as I see that there are new dates available. I do have dates listed on my tour page, and I get these dates from EmersonDrive.com and Pollstar.com -- please remember that these dates are subject to change.
How do I meet Emerson Drive?
The easiest way to meet Emerson Drive is to join the fan club! One of the perks is unlimited meet and greets (as long as you register with Tricia and wear your fan club laminate) with the band. Occasionally, the guys will do a general meet and greet after the show, but sometimes time doesn't allow for them to do that. Check out more info on the fan club.
Gifts to Give the E-drive Guys:
Gift cards are the perfect item to give the guys from Emerson Drive. This way they can get what they need and you know they will use it! They like places such as Starbucks, Home Depot, and Barnes & Noble.
Booking Emerson Drive:
To book Emerson Drive (serious inquiries ONLY), contact Jeff Gregg at:
Creative Artists Agency
3310 W End Ave Ste. 500
Nashville, TN 37203
615-383-8787
jgregg@caa.com
Cover Songs:
Some of Emerson Drive's cover songs that they do (or have done) in concert include "Patience," "You & Me," "Next To You, Next To Me." "Silver Wings," "Sweet Child of Mine," "Devil Went Down to Georgia (which is on their third CD)," "Fishin' In the Dark (which is on their second CD)," "Forever Young" and "Fiddle in the Band." (They start "Devil" with two songs: Led Zepplin's "Kashmir" and Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive.") They've also previously done covers on "The Only Thing That Looks Good On You (Is Me)," "It's a Great Day to Be Alive," "Drift Away" and others.
Previous Tours:
Emerson Drive has toured with the likes of Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, Clay Walker, Martina McBride, Big & Rich and Shania Twain, to name a few.
Contact Info:
How to Contact the Band:
You can write the members of Emerson Drive through their fan club:
Emerson Drive Fan Club
P.O. Box 120487
Nashville, TN 37212
Or e-mail them at: tricia@emersondrive.com (please include name and address when e-mailing the band).
If you feel the need to send me e-mail for the E-drive guys, I will forward it to the address above, so it might be easier for you to send it to Tricia yourself. The guys get their mail (e-mail &/or snail mail) once a month. Please give your name and address on any and all correspondence per fan club request.
How to Join the Emerson Drive International Fan Club:
Fan club info is located on their official site here.
Charity Inquiries:
As for charity inquiries and other information, I would love to help, but do not have the power to. Direct those inquiries (and also any fan club inquiries) to Tricia at the fan club: tricia@emersondrive.com
Contacting the Webmasters:
Loralie: loralie@kickmycountrifiedsoul.com
Joanne: joanne@kickmycountrifiedsoul.com
Other Info:
Boxers of Briefs?
From their DreamWorks Nashville fact sheets:
Brad: both
Danick: boxer briefs
Mike: boxers
Patrick: boxers
Dale: boxers
David: boxers
Random Info:
- French-speaking: Brad & Dale are the guys who can't speak French fluently, and they are the only two band members who are NOT French-Canadian. (But I'm sure with all the French spoken on the bus that they've picked some stuff up and most of its probably not good!)
- Glasses: Brad does have glasses, but doesn't wear them on stage...and if he does, it's not often. He did wear them on the 2003 CCMA awards though! ;) Patrick Bourque also wore glasses. (Update: Brad, David and Mike got lasik eye surgery, so no more glasses for Brad!) :( (Keeping this up because it was a general question.)
- Living arrangements/vehicles: The guys all have homes in the Nashville (and no, I don't know where they live!). :) Previously they were all living in their bus or in hotel rooms across the country because they travel so much. The question was asked about what the guys drive, but I have no idea. Good question to ask them when you see them.
- "Brad's Girls": The name "Brad's Girls" came from a early chat session Brad had with a group of 12 fans that happened to be all girls. Technically you cannot be a member of this group of "Brad's Girls" but if you are a fan of Brad's and would like to be a "Brad's Girl" there is a Yahoo! Group called Brads_Girls that you can join.
Any other questions, e-mail me, and I will get them up on the site, if I can find answers to them. I do not know (or claim to know) everything about the guys and will NOT answer personal questions.
