Shane Bowers (vocals, guitar) and Shaun Bennett (keyboard, guitar) formed the nucleus of the band while leading youth worship at church in their small hometown in rural Clarke County, Georgia. With the help of a few fellow friends they elevated the level of intensity from just another youth group worship band to a full fledged, no-holds-barred, ministry-oriented, Southern alt-rock band. Life got more complicated for the men as local buzz gave way to regional demand. When Julian Drive beat out 2000 contestants to win the 2004 Exalting Him talent search the natural progression to the national stage seemed simply inevitable.

But that doesn’t mean the decision to go full time in the music business was taken lightly. Playing on the weekends and during vacation days is all well and good, but like most folks the members of Julian Drive had a powerful need to eat on occasion, and playing in a traveling band, as glamorous as it may seem, doesn’t always pay the bills.

“I had worked at the same job ever since college,” Shane mused. “I liked my job. I liked my boss. I liked my co-workers and they liked me. The other guys in the band were in similar situations. Leaving a steady paycheck and benefits behind was a big step. You don’t want to give up everything you have worked for only to come home with your tail between your legs if God didn’t really call you.”

Even without a single on the radio, Julian Drive found itself constantly booked for every date the band could possibly play. And the number of calls that poured in after its performance for 20,000 screaming fans at Winterfest 2005 finally convinced the guys that it was now an all or nothing proposition.

“We had six months worth of events scheduled,” Shane explained. “After a lot of prayer it just became obvious that if we were going to do this thing we would have to go full time. We took the leap of faith in 2006 and have been on the road ever since. It has been a liberating, yet humbling experience.”

Countless events later, playing shows from coast to coast and sharing the stage with the likes of Casting Crowns, Third Day, Newsong, Superchick, Big Daddy Weave, David Crowder, Rush of Fools, Big Daddy Weave, Building 429, and a host of others, Julian Drive is more focused, more dedicated, more determined than ever. Along the way they added bassist James Nitz to its lineup. They didn’t even bother to audition another player. It was apparent from the outset that beyond being an amazing musician, James had a heart for ministry and a sparkling sense of humor that fit the band like a high school softball mitt. The most recent addition was when drummer Josh Seagraves joined in late 2008. The former youth pastor’s heart for ministry and passion for music was a perfect match.

Snatching moments between gigs, primary songsmith Shane Bowers continues honing the intimate lyrical style that now defines Julian Drive. Many of the songs on the band’s current recording projects were birthed from his morning devotional studies. Others come from ups and downs of everyday life.

“Each guy in the band brings something incredibly creative to the table,” Shane recalled. “Through the years I’ve evolved into the music and lyric; poetic sort. Shaun’s really turned it on in recent years and has added a lot to the writing process, whether through music, progressions, ideas, or melodies. James is a creative guru in the arranging process while Josh is more of an idea guy. We’re all continually growing creatively.”

In early 2007, the band’s songs caught the ear of noted producer, Lynn Nichols (Phil Keaggy, Switchfoot), who brought Julian Drive into the studio in Nashville and helped the group define its sound. Nichols declared, "Julian Drive's music represents the heartland of America in style, and the heart of God in spirit. The unique style of their music is a product of Julian Drive's blend of all their musical and spiritual influences." They eventually released the Nichols’ produced, “My Coming Day”, and received lots of national buzz.

After an independent release and a major label re-release of “My Coming Day”, Julian Drive decided it was time for a new project in late 2009. They had been writing extensively but needed the right producer to bring the songs to life. Since the last project together, Lynn Nichols had teamed up with noted producer and engineer Tedd T. (Newsboys, Rebbeca St. James, Delirious). The duo seemed like the perfect match for Julian Drive, so in December of 2009, recording began!

Together Lynn Nichols and Tedd T have brought a calm and steady hand to the recording process and have been sensitive to the musical influences that have defined Julian Drive. Instead of chiseling away at the band’s eclectic sound, they’ve molded and shaped it, allowing the music to intertwine and connect in unexpected ways, resulting in a project that is comfortably challenging, both musically and lyrically.

“We are quite optimistic in what God might do through this project in 2010,” Shaun noted. “As we continue to put finishing touches on the record, we are so eager to begin sharing this music with whoever might listen.”

Shane states, “As excited as we are about the music on this record, we’re more excited about the potential lives that might be changed as a result of the message behind the music.”