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With its concentration on modern rock and it's roots in the acoustic sound, the main goal of MERGE was to create an album that serves up tracks to appeal to people from all genres of music. They have power and soul, heart and edge, giving you a band with as much musical diversity as its name would suggest. MERGE began its life in the spring of 1999 with guitarist Randy Shoemake and lead singer Dustin Cummings. From the start it was clear that the dynamic and powerful vocals of Cummings would be perfect for Shoemake's creative and expressive playing. "It just seemed to work," says guitarist Randy Shoemake. "I often compare it to a great marriage, when you've found the right person you just know it." The duo spent the next year playing acoustic sets while working on enough material for a full-length album. The addition of drummer Rick Rando that fall and bassist Rob Shoemake shortly after, proved to be the missing pieces to their musical puzzle. From its beginnings the focus for MERGE has remained on one thing - writing great music. In early April 2001, MERGE completed its highly anticipated first album after much success playing live. Recorded on a "shoestring" budget at Warehouse Records in Pennsylvania, the album quickly took on a life of its own. From the power of songs like "Deaf", "Not Real", and the title track "Walking a Tightrope", to the heart of tracks like "Still" and "Sweet November" and even further, the upbeat groove of tunes like "Broken" and "Deep Enough", this album is a true testament to their musical ability. Later that December, after months of playing acoustic sets and live shows, MERGE was signed to an exclusive one-year management contract with the Eclipse Artist Management Group. Lorenzo M. Spikes, President and CEO of Eclipse, recognized the potential of MERGE immediately, "I am here to make the very best in music and develop the very best talent that I find. MERGE fits nicely into my definition of promise and I truly believe they have something special." Located in both Jacksonville, FL and Nashville, TN, The Eclipse Artist Management Group has been involved with artists such as 98 Degrees, Destiny's Child, Pink, Sisqo, N'Sync, Westlife, Nuground, The Village People and many, many more. After almost a year from the first release of "Walking A Tightrope," MERGE returned to the studio in March 2002 to complete " The Complete Nashville Sessions." In doing so, MERGE had the opportunity to work with award winning engineer and guitarist Jamie Laritz. Laritz has toured with many well-known acts including rock sensation, Brian Adams. MERGE bassist Rob Shoemake said of Laritz, "his vast experience in the music industry itself helped him mold our sound to exactly what we were looking for. When the opportunity arises, we will jump at the chance to work with him again." MERGE’s latest project, "The Complete Nashville Sessions" is an 11 song disc with brand new original material including upbeat tunes like "Trauma(tized)” & “Fallout”, powerful ballads “Patiently” & "Losing Myself" and mood filled songs like "Branded",“Hurricane”& “Walk Away”. Live favorites “Promises”, "Sharpe" and "Survive" round out the new material, while a new radio edit of broadbandtalent.com’s number one song, "Deaf" completes the "eleven-track masterpiece." Regardless of how "in demand" the band has become, MERGE has maintained as strong a focus on lyrical content as it does on musical diversity. "With so much of the music today, it seems like honest writing and intelligible words have been set aside. To be a songwriter is to be a storyteller, and our music will take listeners on the lyrical ride of their life" notes lead singer Dustin Cummings. Prepare yourself for MERGE.
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