In the summer of 2007, Brandon Melton received a phone call from an acquaintance, “Have you heard of show called ‘The Next Great American Band’?” “Yeah, my band submitted a video,” Melton replied, “but we haven’t heard anything back.” The voice on the other line revealed, “Yeah? Well I’ve heard from them…”
Cyber auditions were held for an upcoming national television show that faced bands against each other in an ‘Idol’ style competition. Forty groups were selected from thousands to attend a taped audition. Among the forty was Ballroom Dancing, a band formed in Cleveland, Tennessee in the fall of 2005, whose successes extended to being awarded runner-up in America’s Global Battle of the Bands and engaging in an opening slot for quirky, dance band Of Montreal. Ryan Keith had submitted a video to the contest on a last minute whim. He was shocked to be contacted by a producer from a major television network, and quickly relayed the information to the group. After intense consideration, the rest of the group was reluctant to participate. So with only a week before the plane left for Las Vegas, Ryan was forced to franticly enlist musicians for the contest. Through a number of declined invitations, a suggestion was made for a bass player that formed a band for the sole purpose of submitting to the same contest.
“I’ve heard from them, and I was wondering if you want to go?” Ryan asked Brandon over the telephone. Melton, who was brought up playing Kiss covers in bars with his dad at the age of fourteen, was enthusiastic to agree. Two more musicians were recruited and within the same week the new group began rehearsals and was on an all-expense paid trip to fabulous Las Vegas.
Although competition judge, John Rzeznik (of Goo Goo Dolls), did not sanction the admission of Ballroom Dancing into the top ten, the foundation of a new group had materialized. Band LeGrand was born in the days succeeding the contest. Joined by Brandon’s high school friend and long-time collaborator, David Cartwright, the group made its Fall 2007 debut at the Chattanooga hipster lounge, JJ’s Bohemia. Since then they have filled the dance floor as well as the stage, breaking the venues record with a 15-piece ensemble of horns, strings, and electric guitars.
They have been a must-have supplement to parties and ceremonies. In the spring of 2008, the band toured the second largest state in the union, Texas. And that summer, began the recording of their first full length record. With the album in it’s final stages of production, Band LeGrand relocated to Southern California to further establish the line of business.
In the age of the iTunes supermarket, Band LeGrand’s versatility is certain to favor the appeal of the most diverse audience.
