Virginia Coalition: Andrew Wonder (vocals / guitar / percussion) Steve Dawson (vocals / guitar) Paul Ottinger (keyboards / percussion / bass guitar) Jarrett Nicolay (bass guitar / banjo) John Patrick (drums / vocals / trailer)
Since 1998 Virginia Coalition has worked tirelessly to develop a sound that is all their own, a live show that is unforgettable and a fan base of wildly enthusiastic supporters. This past year the band played over 250 dates, drove over 100,000 miles and built a solid street team across their tour base from Chicago to Vermont and on into Florida.
Now, in the wake of their third independent release, “Rock & Roll Party,” Virginia Coalition stands poised to emerge as a national touring group. What began as an intense local buzz has grown to a national roar as music fans and professionals alike come to appreciate the truly unique musical sound and live performance excitement that is VACO.
It all began in the spring of 1998 when the five friends from Alexandria, VA, who comprise VACO, released their first album, “The Colors of the Sound.” That album, which consists of all original songs written by the Band, has thus far sold 20,000 units. It helped create the grass roots support that has quickly propelled them from local to regional success across the East Coast and into the Midwest. This local buzz also secured them the regular Tuesday night slot at Alexandria, Virginia’s Bad Habits, previously held by Eddie from Ohio, where they began to develop the incredible stage presence and live show that creates new fans every time they play.
In 2000, the band released “Townburg,” another all-original album recorded by Ted Comerford and mixed by Mitch Easter. Virginia Coalition began playing side stages at amphitheaters for the Dave Matthew’s Band, opened for the Counting Crows in front of a crowd of 10,000+ Labor Day beach goers and made heads turn by selling out the 9:30 club in Washington, D.C. four times in a row. “Townburg” has sold over 30,000 units through on-line distribution, music stores and at the merch booth in the Chicago House of Blues, Boston’s Paradise, New York’s Irving Plaza, and Philadelphia’s Electric Factory.
The recent release of “Rock & Roll Party” is helping propel VACO onto the national scene and expand their already solid tour base. Their diverse sound, with its unique blend of funk, rock and go-go, and their amazing live act, suggests that they will continue to create large numbers of fans.
Source: http://www.vacosongs.com