Emerson Drive

 

    By that definition of success, Emerson Drive's career is definitely moving in the right direction.  The guys recently got some new-to-them wheels (a 2002 bus), and life on the road is literally smelling sweeter for the boys now.

 

   "We started in a van and trailer and an old school bus," recalls lead singer Brad Mates.  "To be able to make a step up now from our old bus to the new one...I think everyone's happy that there's a clean smell on that bus now!" he laughs.  And he's not kidding.

 

   "I don't know if it was a mold or mildew problem, but our wives and girlfriends - and even neighbors - every time we'd come home, they knew you were just getting off the road, just because of the smell!  We couldn't get rid of it!"

 

   But, aroma jokes aside, the bus they had for about five years was a true road warrior, reaching the 1-million-mile mark in November.

 

   "Hats off to Detroit Diesel for making an incredible engine, because we honestly didn't have a single problem with the engine on the old bus," chuckles Brad.  "My mother worked for Detroit Diesel for 32 years, and when I told her that we just turned a million miles on our engine, she just couldn't believe it."

 

   "There's a lot of memories on that bus," adds fiddle player David Pichette.  "When we got it, we were on the road 300 days a year, playing 260 to 290 shows a year.  And we did not have any houses or steady address.  We'd get our mail at the office and stay in motels.  So that bus was our home."

 

   The guys have cut back their touring schedule about 50 dates, but they still spend plenty of time on the road.  So the added comforts of the new wheels - fold-down TVs in each bunk, hardwood floors, upgraded cabinet hardware and just a better ride in general - are more than appreciated.

 

    That's especially true on occasions when wives come out on the road.  But with 11 guys on the bus on a regular basis, that doesn't leave much room for visitors.

 

    "I think if we could get another bus in a year or two, that would help when it comes to that!" laughs Brad.  So, are there special measures in place to keep the new bus from getting its own...aroma?

 

    "Brad overcompensates for all the slobs who are on the bus," jokes David.  "Brad will vacuum a couple of times a day."

 

    "And I've asked people to take their shoes off when they get on the bus," laughs Brad.  "That seems to work."

 

    "After a show, we'll get back to the hotel where we usually just shower up and leave," adds David.  "But Brad will spend an extra hour on the bus when there's nobody, and he'll listen to music and vacuum and clean.  Everything's gonna be shiny and smell good, you're almost assured of that."

 

    So does Brad get paid extra for that?

 

    "He's the leader of the band," jokes David, "so I'm sure he's getting his cut somewhere!" CW