Blessid Union of Souls

LIVE@FYI joined forces with JamNow to bring Blessid Union of Souls in front of the cameras on Friday, May 2nd. Best known for their Top Ten single “I Believe,” the Cincinnati-based quintet was on tour all summer following their visit to the studio.

What do you call a pop/rock band from the '90s with eight Top 40 hits, one of them reaching #1 in the U.S., Southeast Asia and England while becoming the 4th most played song of 1995; who's performed in Europe and the 50 states with The Goo Goo Dolls, Bon Jovi, Sean Kingston, Third Eye Blind, Sister Hazel, Huey Lewis and the News, Shania Twain, Vertical Horizon and with Mike and The Mechanics at two sell-out shows at Royal Albert Hall; had their songs performed in movies with Jodie Foster, Jim Carrey and Penny Marshall as well as TV shows like "Cold Case," "All My Children," "Dancing With The Stars" and "American Idol? ANSWER: BLESSID UNION OF SOULS. After rotating band members, management companies and record labels over the past few years, day one faithfuls lead singer/songwriter, Eliot Sloan and bassist Tony Clark along with six year vets Bryan Billhimer (guitars) and Shaun Schaefer (drums) are back with the band's seventh album, CLOSE TO THE EDGE by BLESSID UNION OF SOULS!

With the upcoming release of CLOSE TO THE EDGE on Torque Records, the band embarks on releasing a CD that is more indicative to what the four of them bring to the table musically. Taking eight tracks from their previously independent album, PERCEPTION, and adding four fresh new songs to the record, the band is back in full force with a new outlook on their careers and an innovative management company to guide them. After signing with Atlanta-based New Line Management, headed by Caleb Morgan, the band saw a light at the end of the tunnel that they had not seen in a long time. "Caleb brought a new sense of direction, energy, passion and excitement to the band that had been missing for a while now," says Billhimer. "I can't remember when the band felt this confident before. Even when we first hooked up with Blessid, there was a sense leadership that was missing that Caleb helped restore." Adds Clark, "it's great to be with a manager who says they're going to do something and then actually do it."

With an upcoming tour in the works along with other avenues of promotion, Blessid Union Of Souls fans can be reassured that they have not abandoned the songwriting integrity that helped establish them as one of the premier groups of the mid-to-late '90s. Their knack for simple, sing-along melodies can be heard in the instantly likable "I'll Be There" and their taste for intriguing subject matter is evident in songs like the opening track, "Back From The Dead," which is an emotional piece about recovery from addictions. "That one means a lot to us, especially Tony and I," admits Sloan. "He was the inspiration for that song."

As for Blessid's live show, it's as energetic as it was when their debut album, HOME, was released and certified Gold in 1995. Now as a four-piece, the band is more gripping and power than ever."

With a humble, not-so-rock-star attitude, radio friendly songs and an absolute love for their fans, Blessid Union Of Souls continues to defy the odds and stay afloat in this rocky and unpredictable music business. But with a new album on the horizon and tour dates to follow, the band doesn't apologize or complain about the climate of the industry. They just continue to do what they do best, write great songs and play great shows. If you want to check out a vintage pop rock band with an edge, make sure it's Blessid Union Of Souls.