Lou Ford

Lou Ford, a band based in Charlotte, NC, named itself after a character from a Jim Thompson novel. The fictional Lou Ford was someone comprised of various layers, where what you saw on the surface wasn't really the whole story. The musical Lou Ford likes to describe itself the same way. At first glance, audiences and critics dubbed them country. Underneath, bandmembers say, they really are is more pop-oriented. The only things remotely country about the group, according to guitarist and vocalist Alan Edwards, are the bandmembers' soft Southern drawls. Before forming Lou Ford in Charlotte with his brother Chad Edwards, Alan Edwards was a member of Chocolate U.S.A. in New York, along with Julian Koster. Alan Edwards was a veteran traveler who spent time in several states, including Virginia, Georgia, and New York. On his travels through North Carolina, he became acquainted with bass player Mark Lynch while both were attending a Backsliders show. Seeing the makings of a band in his growing friendship with Lynch, he invited his brother to relocate from Georgia to North Carolina. Eventually they added Darrell Ussery on drums and John Morris on organ. Morris formerly was a member of Come on Thunderchild. The band's current lineup consists of Alan Edwards and Chad Edwards, both of whom sing and play guitar; Ussery on drums; Jason Atkins on organ and piano; and Jeffrey Larish on bass. At one time, the band also included Shawn Lynch, who was not related to Mark Lynch. ~ Linda Seida, All Music Guide