Biography

Biography

Music has always been an essential part of the Flourish Family Band. Shmiddy started playing drums at the age of 7. His sweetheart and wife, Shannon, has played saxophone since elementary school. Of course all of their children had a natural gift and affinity for music, so the kids always found a way to entertain themselves and others with the instruments that were sitting around the house even before they could walk.

Having "jam sessions" was as commonplace

as watching TV or playing board games

together as a family. As the kids matured

in their musical abilities, it seemed natural

to perform for friends and family every chance

they could get.

The family band's "crowd drawing" power was

discovered when members of the family band

started "jamming out" on an open stage at the

local mall. Hundreds of people young and old

gathered instantly to see and experience what

the family band thought to be perfectly natural....

a family just having fun and rocking out together.

This was the defining moment for the family as a

vision was instantly birthed to entertain youth

and families through positive rock music. Shortly

thereafter the family band came up with their

official band name..."Flourish". The choice of this

name was carefully picked, as they all agreed

(in one of their "family meetings") that their music

needed to reflect their positive family values in order to encourage other families and individuals to "Flourish" in their lives. Dad and mom asked each of the kids if this was what THEY want to do, and without hesitation each child committed to the vision and the Flourish Family Band was officially launched!

Flourish then spent two years (as a family every Saturday) in an extensive acting program in Virginia. This is where they learned the fine points of acting, camera performance, script memorization and professional etiquette in working with directors and producers. Each of the band members were hired to be in various local commercials and national print campaigns for Eddie Bauer, Sketchers, New Balance and Franco Clothing. Music, acting and modeling became a family collaboration, with everyone's experience contributing to the overall success of the band's future performances.

The Flourish family band's sound has been heavily influenced by groups such as Switchfoot, Good Charlotte, Relient K, Bowling for Soup, The Ramones, Green Day, Skillet, Smash Mouth, Blink 182 and Third Eye Blind.

Flourish stands out from the crowd simply because they are the first family band in modern history where the dad, mom and all of the kids play music together as a full-on rock band. There are a number of blue grass, country-fiddling or folk family bands, many which are amazing in their own right. But you will be hard pressed to find a family band such as Flourish anywhere in the world that plays contemporary pop-rock music and captivates an audience with their high energy and positive life-changing lyrics and "life lessons".

With a set list of 10 original and 8 cover songs, the Flourish Family Band is equipped with a musical arsenal to play medium and large high-energy fun-filled concerts for youth ages 8-17 and their families. Their show is focused on encouraging positive family fun through their zany antics on stage and family interactions that will playfully draw the crowd into their world of love, inspiration, happiness, fun and musical adventures!

The most recent adventure for the Flourish Family Band was being signed to a management deal with award wining producer Andrew Lane. Andrew has received international acclaim as a producer and music executive with strong ties to Disney/Universal, Warner Music Group, EMI and Sony/BMG among many others. As a multi-platinum and Billboard Award winning producer, Andrew has proven himself to have the “midas touch” when it comes to the music business. His credits include writing and producing for notable projects such as High School Musical, Hannah Montana, B5, The Disneymania Soundtrack and The Bratz Dolls, just to name a few.

His plan for the Flourish Family Band is to harness their raw energy and talent to create an international platform for Flourish to share their contagious positive energy around the globe, entertaining youth and families alike. As an executive who is socially responsible, Andrew has a passion for making a positive impact on society through media and the arts. His goals for the band include Flourish engaging in world wide concert tours, television and film projects and partnering with organizations that reach out to youth, families and their communities both in America and abroad.

Andrew believes that Flourish has the potential to make a global impact in bringing family values to the forefront of the entertainment industry in order to use this powerful medium to strengthen the fabric of society through positive music, television and film that will provide a lasting impression that will ultimately make a permanent positive impact on our society that will echo forward to future generations.

"Flourish was a huge hit and has received

rave reviews from kids and adults alike!"

~ Beth James, Director of The Star Center

"Your presense and performance helped

raise the image, fun and appeal of our event. We hope to see you next year!"

~ Keith Cook, "On The Go" Festivals