Ohio Avenue exploded onto the rock music scene in 2005 with a sound that demanded attention. Pairing high-energy live performances with captivating lyrics, these Alabama natives continue to make fans wherever they perform.

Their name was inspired by a street in Indiana where lead singer Derek Williams grew up. “When my parents divorced, my mother moved my brother and I to Alabama,” says Williams. “We ended up leaving our lives and comforts behind to take a big risk as a family. Fast forward a few years and I felt like I was back in the same situation. Our band, Ohio Avenue, decided to try to play music full time. It was a big risk for us to leave our day jobs and rely on the band for income, but we knew it was the right thing to do.”

Though relatively new to the rock scene, the band has managed to make a powerful impact. Their debut EP was produced by Barry Blair and their single “Close to Me” received airplay across the Southeast. The band just finished a full-length project in late 2009 with producer Adam Smith called “The Sound.” The cd will be releasing on Itunes, Amazon, and other major retailers on February 16, 2010.

Ohio Avenue has landed opening slots for bands like Switchfoot and Needtobreathe. Most recently, the band has been invited to play at music festivals like Enfuego, City Stages, The Big Ticket Festival, and Cornerstone. In addition, Ohio Avenue was a favorite at NACA South 2009, booking over 30 shows at colleges across the Southeast.

As of today, Ohio Avenue is traveling and performing at venues all over the Southeast. They hope that their music will impact the people they meet in a meaningful way.

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