2009 Best R&B Performer
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34.84% Urban Legend*
Others with Votes (more than one):
Best Funk/R&B Performer Performer
Best R&B Performer
* On the ballot |
Urban Legend started because of these two, little words: smoking ban.
"A decade ago I was talking to Dwight Wilson and Lisa McDavid, two of our vocalists, about starting a band," said Mark Gevaart, bassist and band spokesman, "but we're all non-smokers, so the thought of playing in smoky bars just wasn't enticing to us. Then, when the citywide smoking band was enacted, I called them back and said, 'Let's give it a try.'"
Before they even played their first gig, these musicians, three of whom have made a name for themselves in local and regional musical theatre productions, spent about four months researching what it would take to be a successful band. In other words, they did their homework.
"We went out and watched how other bands did things. We took notes and built our act from there," Gevaart said. "Many of us hadn't been in bands before, so it was important to get things figured out before we went on stage."
That was three years ago. Now Urban Legend -- Wilson, McDavid, Gevaart and Kelly Pautler (vocals), Mike Rogers (keyboards) and Matt Schory (guitar) -- can definitely say they've figured things out. Urban just took home the Whammy for Best R&B Performer.
Gevaart said the band's success can be attributed to the fact that they're careful to stick to a two-part, tried-and-true formula: Play music women want to hear and dance to and the men will follow, and don't be out every single weekend at every single bar in town. Instead, maintain a little mystery. Keep them wanting more.
"We also make sure to introduce ourselves to our fans and thank them for coming," said Gevaart. "We have people who come up to us and say, 'We have bands that we love, but no one talks to us, no one acknowledges us.' We make a point of talking to people, asking them their names, and we've won a lot of support that way."
Another factor contributing to Urban Legend's popularity, said Gevaart, is the energy all six bandmembers bring to the performance.
"We start on time and we play for a long time. We don't do your standard 13-song set and take a break. We play for an hour and 40 minutes straight. We know that people didn't come out to listen to their iPod play music. They came to see a live band give it all they've got, and we're going to give it to them," he said. (Deborah Kennedy) |
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