The Great Divide (band)
The Great Divide is an American country band from Oklahoma. She was one especially during the 1990s, the most famous representatives of the Red Dirt music.
History
The Great Divide was in Stillwater, Oklahoma 1992 - the center of the Red Dirt scene - founded. The band initially consisted of frontman Mike McClure, the second lead singer Scotte Lester, whose brother JJ, who played the drums, and bassist Kelley Green. With this lineup, the group also released their first commercially yet little attention Album Goin ' for Broke, which was produced by Lloyd Maines in 1995. Because the four could not find a label, they released the album itself At this time the band occurred mainly as the opening act for established country acts like Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Earl Keen and Mark Wills. Their second CD Break in the Storm brought them although again without big label out, but when the group shortly thereafter a contract with Atlantic Records signed, the album was released a second time and reached the official country charts, where it is nine weeks held. The Great Divide became the first Red Dirt Band, which was taken from a major label contract.
Also Revolution, published in 1999, was released by Atlantic Records and was able to placed in the charts. After the new President of the label did not want to continue to support the musicians were the beginning of the 2000s without a label. Under difficult conditions, the band began working on a new independent project. In October 2000, eventually became the album Afterglow: The Will Rogers Sessions, which was first produced by Lloyd Maines not be published. In the national charts, the production could not place.
According to the publications of Dirt and Spirit, a collaboration with various other artists of the scene under the name The Great Divide & Friends, but did not sell as hoped and Remain, the sixth studio album by the band, the longtime lead singer and guitarist Mike McClure separated from the rest of the group. McClure, who had released his first solo album in 2002, devoted himself from 2003 onwards only other projects. In March 2003, played The Great Divide for the time being the last time in his old occupation.
The departure of the singer marked the biggest change in the eleven years of ancient history tape. In the summer of 2003, the group finally found in - the hitherto relatively unknown - Micah Aills replacement. Nearly two years after its entry appeared with Under Your Own Sun 's seventh studio album by the band. For his performance as the lead singer Aills reaped indeed the praise of various music critics, but the CD was the last release of the band who announced their separation in 2007. Aills then returned to his home state of Ohio, while the other three members of the band went about other professions away from the music industry.
Four years later the group occurred at a comeback show in its original cast. A possible continuation of the band's career was initially Although unclear, but now come the four musicians together on a regular basis again. They have the number of shows significantly reduced compared to their time during the 90s. The production of a new album is possible, according to McClure.
Stylistic classification
The band was no representative of classic country music, but played a mix of alternative country and rock. Thus came into being also the band's name, which can be translated as The great divide. He should bring the gap to the expression, which consisted of musicians to view between the two styles and in which they wanted to move musically. In the newspaper The Daily Oklahoman music style as a mix of Texas Music, The Doors and Alternative Country College has been described. The band has also released a gospel album and a song with Caribbean influences in addition to country and rock songs.
In the 90s, the band became one of the most successful and most stylish representative of the Red Dirt music. She was one of the first representatives of the scene, the celebrated commercial success and was partially responsible for the approach of the Red dirts to the mainstream market. The band members regarded their music as " a tribute to the American Dream ."
Occupation
Discography
Studio albums
Live albums
- 2003: Absolutely Live Volume 1
- 2003: Absolutely Live Volume 2