Singer Donovan Moves to the West coast

Over the years Blue Meridian has seen many faces. The only constants for the long time fans have been Kevin and Donovan and their obvious growth over the years as musicians and as people. Manny has been with the group for the better part of four years with long time band friend and bass talent, Dean Pichette being the two year rookie, but each member has certainly paid their dues and spent their time in the studio and on the stage. The relationship between the final and most fantastic lineup of the group has been symbiotic in so many ways. 

The band formed on August 6, 1994 in downtown Orlando and played their first show that November 19th. Nearly 10 years, 5000+ albums sold, over 1,500 FM radio spins, 6 Orlando Music Awards, memorabilia in the Orlando Hard Rock Cafe and countless other accolades and accomplishments, the band as we all know it is closing shop. 

Donovan is moving to Los Angeles just after Christmas 2003. The lure of new challenges has been tough to ignore. "There's alot more to this business than just playing the Sapphire, um... the Social, for the 75th time. I've written over 200 songs in the past 10 years and have seen more than 70 of them professionally recorded. That's a pretty impressive catalog of originals. I intend to pursue a wide array of professional interests out there. Licensing, Publishing, of course more performing. Solo at first (catch me at "The Gig" on Melrose on Jan 14) and eventually with a new band. It has been my dream to tour and develop fan bases in other important markets. God willing, I'll be back in Orlando before long, having passed through Austin, Dallas, New Orleans and more. It's uncertain whether I will continue using the "Blue Meridian" name. I guess we'll all have to wait and find out."



Donovan is also rumored to be nearly finished with a screenplay. Something inspiring and epic. For now details must remain under wraps. For those of you who have been following the band, you may also remember the game show auditions of 2002. "LA is an amazing city filled with opportunity. The challenge of being recognized in a city like that is something I'm certainly up for. A goal I should have attacked a couple years ago."

This is certainly not the end of a career for the man who brought you "Helly, Sideways Silverjet, The Way I Feel" and more. This is a bold and necessary step for an artist who won't be content until everyone has given it a listen. This is the end of a chapter and it should be a very long book.

"I know you've all heard it before, but we have a green light with the launching of the Helly Bock Beer. Brew master Matt Glass assures me that by summer 2004, you'll be able to pick up the Blue Meridian beer at a local package store or ask for it on tap at a number of local bars. We've been biding our time, perfecting the recipe and waiting for the Orlando Brewing Company to set up shop in their new, larger location."

"I have family and many friends in Orlando. I'll be back and if there's any demand, I'll find a venue, get up onstage and sing these songs until the last person leaves. I've been honored over and over by the amazing support and appreciation for what the guys and I have created in Orlando. We should certainly keep in touch."

Proof that the music will live on is the fact that Donovan has been in the recording studio since the beginning of August with as many as 20 different musicians, laying down what he considers to be his masterpiece. Details are sketchy on when we'll be able to hear the final product. A recent article stated that he'd be "finishing it and taking it with him". Like the screenplay, the new album may serve as an effective calling card once in LA. It may be all that it takes to get the proverbial nod from the powers that be in tinsel town. A nod that makes things happen.

The Blue Meridian site will be up and running indefinitely. For the time being this will be the source for those who wish to continue following the career of this artist and his west coast adventures.