It is difficult to pin point the exact beginning of the band, Mile Marker 7, because it has been ever growing and evolving since its conception. This progression is pushed by three brothers - Mitchell, Jordan, and Sean McElroy from Birmingham, AL- who played their first official show as a three piece in 2000. In the following years they played a large number of shows across the southeast. After recording their first album and developing a reputation as a solid three piece acoustic jam band, they started laying the foundation for what they knew awaited them on their musical horizon.
The McElroy Brothers were home educated and grew up in a small town just outside of Birmingham, playing sports, and riding in the car with their father, Mark McElroy, as his "extra arms". They took to his love of music from a young age listening mostly to oldies like The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and The Righteous Brothers or Motown hits from Marvin Gaye, The Four Seasons, and The Temptations. As they grew up they expanded their taste individually - " Between the three of us, we listen to just about everything," says youngest brother Sean McElroy. These days they listen and are influenced by anything such as: Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, The Doobie Brothers, The Allman Brothers Band, The Derek Trucks Band, and Galactic to name a few.
Mile Marker 7 is celebrating their 8th year together in 2009, and has taken many forms, from the original acoustic three piece, to a full band, all along the way with different friends "sitting in" or "stepping up". Now, things have changed again and the line up consists of the Brothers McElroy at the helm, but rhythm guitarist and vocalist Sean has "stepped up" to the drums to give more weight to the music. While percussionist and vocalist Mitchell has become a mouth harp wiz, and with long time friend and musician The Wisdom on the bass, the music has evolved yet again. On some occasions they've been known to have horns and keys on live performances. In 2008 Mile Marker 7 was nominated for The Bama’s ( Birmingham Area Music Awards) and has opened up for well known musicians such as: Tim Reynolds, Jon McLaughlin, The Benjy Davis Project, Rollin' In The Hay, and The Soul Rebels Brass Band.
Everyone in the band is really excited about where things are headed and the positive buzz about them. They also desire to have an understanding and mutual responsibility for the music they make. Mitchell says, "Music is one of the purest forms of communication; very few things can connect with the listener like music. I believe that is the main reason that we have a responsibility to pay attention to what we write and sing about. We try to plant a seed of "positivity" in the lives of people who listen to our music." When you see them live you can expect to hear mostly original music with a well rounded sound, from years of experimenting with different players, tight three part harmonies with a down home punch only family can get.
One thing is for sure, Mile Marker 7 definitely brings a fresh feel to the table!
Jordan McElroy Lead Guitar/Organ/Banjo/Vocals Plays: Fender Custom Shop Telecaster Alvarez 12-string Acoustic Wechter 6-string Acoustic Peavy Classic 30 Amplifier
Sean McElroy Rhythm Guitar/Drums/Vocals Plays: Fender American Telecaster Taylor 6-string Acoustic Crate Acoustic Amplifier PDP 5-piece Drums
Mitchell McElroy Percussion/Mouth Harp/Vocals Plays: Honer Harmonicas Meinl and LP Congas Meinl Bongos Toca Timbales Meinl Djembe Tree Works Chimes Wuhan Cymbals Meinl Cajon
Jordan McElroy
Sean McElroy
Mitchell McElroy