Goodroad was formed in 2005 with the recording of their debut album Lonely Trip. The various members came from vastly different musical backgrounds which lent itself to a unique full band sound. Allen Goodroad gained most of his experience on the coffeehouse stage doing solo acoustic performances through college. For 6 years Allen led the youth worship band at St. Michaels Church doing contemporary worship in a full band setup. The consummate performer, Allen also did a 30 show, 25 city tour as a professional actor with the Children’s Theatre Company of Sioux Falls. The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged was performed to kids and adults across South Dakota and Iowa. Allen has also performed in the summer time at the Catfish Bay Waterski Park (www.catfishbay.com). Allen has helped write the show as well as perform for the past 8 years.
Here's where things get interesting. After recording and releasing a second full length album as a full band, Goodroad, the band, went their separate ways. Allen continued to perform a couple times a month with drummer Dave McCann at places like McNallys and Tre Lounge along with their friends the Nick Rallis Band. On one such night, Dave recognized Micah Wetzel sitting in the audience. Micah had opened for the Goodroad at their very first performance as a band in Brookings, SD. Allen asked Micah to join them on stage for a song or two and after some persuading by Micah's wife, he reluctantly did so. That was over two years ago and the group has been performing together ever since. Not only is Micah a wizard with a guitar but his vocal skills offer a unique texture to the new sound of Goodroad.
Micah is a Guitar teacher by day (www.amaristudios.com) He started his own business out of college and has grown it into a successful enterprise by constantly studing and honing his craft. Micah is also an accomplished Trumpet player and singer. After performing for years on the solo college tour circuit, Micah is happy to settle into a roll as 'the flavor' of the band Goodroad.
Dave started his own business almost a year ago doing videogrophy and production for himself. (www.perceptivevideo.com) Dave has been a member of the Goodroad experience since day 1 and this leads to an almost uncanny way of communicating on stage. Most of the show is made up on the spot so this communication is key to creating such a unique sound.
Brian Nelson, THE Saxaphone Wizard himself, joined Goodroad a little over 6 months ago and has been wowing audiences with his amazing abilities ever since. Brian recently welcomed a new addition to his family, Liam Patrick Nelson, and couldn't be more excited. Brian is a unique talent that you have to hear to believe.
Additionally, after a recent hiatus, original Goodroad member Jordan Ochocki has joined the band once again. Jordan will be playing mainly bass but offers an amazing array of instrumental capabilities. Jordan plays Sax, Keys, percussion and is also a gifted singer. Jordan currently works as a sound technician for DMM and for the Washington Pavillion in Sioux Falls. We are very excited to welcome Jordan back into the mix!
Goodroad strives for unique sounds to keep audiences interested over the course of a four hour set and that has led to the infatuation with medleys you'll hear as part of every Goodroad performance. With influences ranging from Matchbox 20 to Matt Nathanson this group combines the best of today's acoustic artists with parts and pieces of current top 40 songs from bands like Kings of Leon and Lifehouse. The smaller group makes on stage communication the key to the ability to create on the fly and ensures that you will never see two performances that are the same. Songs from Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews, Lifehouse, Matchbox 20, Kings of Leon, Bon Jovi, Rascal Flatts, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mark Cohn, Matt Nathanson, Keith Urban, and many others as well as original songs make this group sound like nothing you've ever heard!
You can experience Goodroad in Sioux Falls at McNallys, The Copper Lounge, The Vault, Rookies, Tre Lounge, Argus Leader Ribfest, Avera Race Against Breast Cancer, Festival of Trees, Stogeez, The Paramount, Smoes, Bracco's. Also check us out in Minneapolis, Rapid City, Vermillion, Brookings, Lake Brandt (Chester, SD) or anywhere you have an internet connection by going to itunes.com and searching Goodroad. (or follow the link in the Links section)