Artist description eli's porch is an acoustic band from Winston Salem, NC. The band, relatively new to the music scene in NC, is in no means a bunch of amateurs. Bass player Jordan Marr has got the funk to make even Flea jealous. Lead singer and guitarist Laura Clay has been playing coffeeshops from Virgina Beach to her current residence of Winston Salem. And lead guitarist Lauren Alspaugh, who has her own self-financed CD has been playing hard in the Spartanburg, SC scene.

Music Style Acoustic Guitar Pop Rock

Musical Influences Dave Matthews Band, 10,000 Maniacs, Fleetwood Mac, Barenaked Ladies, Indigo Girls

Similar Artists Natalie Merchant, Jewel, Indigo Girls, Dar Williams

Artist History eli's porch started in 1997 at a housewarming party for lead singer Laura Clay. At that party, Laura met J. Michael, a new resident of NC and an alternative rocker from NJ. It was then that Laura felt motivated to make it in the NC scene with a full band. Laura met lead guitarist Lauren Alspaugh and singer Kat Leonard at Salem College where she worked as a field hockey coach. The 3 girls picked up J. Michael as their bassist and played their first show at Salem College in Winston Salem, NC. 1999 proved to be the year of the rise of eli's porch. In Feb. they met a fan by the name of Dave Campbell. Dave was a drummer looking for a band and told eli's porch about a friend of his that played a real funky bass: Jordan Marr. Later that week, Dave and Jordan began rehearsing with eli's porch and soon began playing live shows with the band. J. Michael then became the electric guitarist, and so the full band that Laura had dreamed about for so long had become a reality. In August 1999, J. Michael left eli's porch to concentrate fully on full-time management of the band.

Group Members Laura Clay, Kat Leonard, Lauren Alspaugh, Jordan Marr, Dave Campbell

Instruments 2 Vocals, 2 Guitars, Bass, Drums

Albums Songs From The Great Room(1997), Knowhere Special(1999), Southbound Train(1999), Straight Out of Salem(2000)

Press Reviews "Highlight of the Gallery Hop" -ESP 10/98"A great band out of Winston Salem, NC" -WFMR 9/99

Location Winston Salem, NC - USA

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