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Blessid Union of Souls is a American rock band from Cincinnati that was formed in 1992 by Jeff Pence and Eliot Sloan.

The band has released a number of hits over the years. Some of the band's biggest hits include "I Believe," "Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me)," "I Wanna Be There," and "Brother My Brother".

History

Early years

Blessid Union of Souls formed in 1992 in Cincinatti, Ohio. The band was heavily influenced by the cowpunk scene that was burgeoning around the same time they formed. They spent several years honing their craft in Newport News; their song "Oh Virginia" tells the story of their "second home."

Home (1994-1996)

They released their debut album, Home in 1995. Later that year, it was certified gold by the RIAA. It is now certified platinum. The album released their radio hit "I Believe," as well as Top 20 hits "Let Me Be the One" and "Oh Virginia."

Blessid Union of Souls (1996-1998)

They released their second album, Blessid Union of Souls in 1997. This album was not as popular as Home, but still released two Top 20 hits, "I Wanna Be There" and "Light in Your Eyes."

Walking Off the Buzz (1999-2000)

They released their third album, Walking Off the Buzz in 1999. This album was very popular due to "Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me)," a single from the album that became a summer smash hit of the year. Although it only reached #29 on the Billboard Hot 100, it received constant airplay, and many fans of the group were disappointed by how much of a "one-hit wonder" they had become.

2001-2005

Not much was heard from the band between 2001 and 2005 although they did release a greatest hits album and Perception, their fourth studio album at the head and tail ends of that time. During that time, they seem to have mostly worked on side projects.

Perception and reemergence (2005-2008)

The band bounced back after Perception was released. In November 2006 Jeff Pence abruptly left Blessid Union of Souls. The band still continues to write, record and tour with original founding member and lead singer Eliot Sloan. Along with Sloan are longtime band mate and Bassist Tony Clark, Drummer Shaun Schaefer and Guitarist Bryan Billhimer.

Close to the Edge (2008-present)

On June 21, 2008, it was announced on the band's MySpace page that the band's fifth studio album, Close to the Edge will be released on September 16, 2008 on Torque Records. A new album had previously been announced, but no release date was set.

Other projects

In 2000, several of the band's songs were scheduled for use during the production of a film entitled Standing at the Edge of the Earth by Fizzle Freak Productions. The film would have co-starred the band's bassist Tony Clark, and the rest of the band would have been featured in prominent roles as well. The film's production was canceled in around the end of 2000 due to legal and financial issues.

In 2003, the band released Blessid Union of Souls: Play Ball, an album about the Cincinatti Reds. This album did not receive much attention and is widely regarded as not even a studio album.

In 2006, Jeff Pence headed a project in which the band contributed two tracks for Clutch Hits, a CD that featured a variety of artists who contributed songs about the Cincinnati Reds. The songs were entitled "Play Ball" and "Me, Marty, Joe, Ted & Louise." The project was a fundraiser for the Reds Community Fund.

Discography

Albums

• Home (1995)
• Blessid Union of Souls (1997)
• Walking Off the Buzz (1999)
• Blessid Union of Souls: The Singles (2001)
• Blessid Union of Souls: Play Ball (2003)
• Perception (2005)
• Almost Acoustic (Volume 1) (2007)
• Close to the Edge (2008)

They also performed a track in Pokémon: The First Movie, titled "Brother My Brother," as well as the main theme for Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls entitled, "It's Alright."

Singles

External links

• The official MySpace page for Eliot Sloan and Blessid Union of Souls

• The official website of Blessid Union of Souls

• "Blessid Union of Souls" Lyrics
• Blessid Union of Souls lyrics here

• Articles with dead external links from August 2007
• 1990s music groups
• 2000s music groups
• Musical groups established in 1992
• Musical groups established in 1993
• Ohio musical groups
• American rock music groups
• Multi-racial musical groups