Ed Roland can describe over 30 years in Collective Soul with two words.
“It’s an honor and privilege,” said the frontman and songwriter behind the Georgia-born band known for a bedrock of time-tested hits. “It’s that simple. Just being able to do what you love, it’s an honor and a privilege.”
Since launching a major label career in 1994, Collective Soul has charted a path that most rock bands dream of, but only few achieve. They cut through a noisy 1990s rock scene with a knack for stick-to-you-like-glue melodies, roof-shaking guitars, and a touch of Southern grit. Behind enduring 7 #1 singles like “Shine,” “December” and “The World I Know,” the band hit the ground running for what would not be a short-lived sprint, but a steady marathon of uncompromising – and always catchy – albums that have sold over 15 million albums worldwide (six of which have gone Gold or Platinum). Since launching, they’ve become one of the most reliable rock bands in America, a tried-and-true force in a world often defined by turmoil and turbulence.
Last summer, the band released their definitive feature-length documentary, Give Me A Word: The Collective Soul Story, via Trinity Content Partners. The trailer can be seen on the band’s official YouTube page. The film is available to purchase on DVD and Blu-ray as well as on the band’s official website, while fans can watch on demand via Amazon (North America), Apple Music (Worldwide), Google (U.K. and North America), Vudu (North America), Hoopla (North America), and Olyn (North
America), among others.
Give Me A Word: The Collective Soul Story tells the band’s untold history: the family component to the band, the creativity, and the wisdom that has been hard won over their illustrious career. It was filmed at Elvis Presley’s; Palm Springs, CA estate in early 2023 during the recording of the band’s latest album, HERE TO ETERNITY. COLLECTIVE SOUL is the only other music artist besides Elvis to ever record at the historical landmark. Not only does the film contain footage of the recording process, it also features archival footage throughout the band’s career dating back to the band’s early days.
More recently, as part of what is now one of the most eagerly awaited days for true music fans, Record Store Day (Saturday, April 18), COLLECTIVE SOUL–Ed Roland (vocals/guitar/piano), Dean Roland (rhythm guitar), Will Turpin (bass), Jesse Triplett (lead guitar), Johnny Rabb (drums)—released a brand new full-length album exclusively to independent record stores only, entitled Touch and Go. The wide- release will be available later this summer. The 10-song Touch and Go is something new musically for the band, taking inspiration from The Cars and New Wave music, and will be available as 180-gram colored vinyl.
