Andrew Neil and Code Purple

e to unknown reasons and rescheduled for 19 August 2022. This gave Andrew more time to find some musicians. Using the app BandMix, Andrew found a couple of musicians from Staunton, Virginia who were interested in giving it a go. Daniel Houser (Lead Guitar and banjo); Alan Warren (Bass Guitar). Andrew also brought in Richard Shaw; a Mandolin player who worked in a convenience store close to Andrew’s Apartment in Charlottesville. The problem was finding a drummer, which in Andrew’s opinion was the heart and soul of a good band. We were able to find a temporary drummer, Dan Smith. Everything was set to go. The band, yet unnamed, had practiced together about a half dozen times and had a tight 8 song set list. On 17 Aug, as the newly formed band was preparing to depart for Hershey Pennsylvania, we received a phone call from the Raelyn Nelson Band manager, Thomas McCormack, that the show had again been cancelled due to “illness in the band”. This news was heartbreaking, but everyone understood and everyone, except the drummer, decided to stay together at least until the show could be rescheduled again. Unfortunately, Dan Smith had numerous other professional music commitments and could not commit. Going back to BandMix, Andrew managed to find another local drummer, Zach Bullock, and the Band resumed practices. The gig was to be rescheduled for the Fall of 2022 or January 2023. However, again fate struck. The venue had received significant flooding damage in a storm and all shows were canceled until further notice. The Raelyn Nelson Band’s manager, called and suggested that Andrew Neil and his new band open for them in Nashville instead. The date was set for St Patrick’s Day, 17 March 2023, at the Glenn Campbell Museum’s Rhinestone Stage. The Band began to practice on a regular basis to break in the new drummer, temporarily calling themselves “The Andrew Neil Band” until they could come up with a new name. During this time, they would practice in Daniel Houser’s basement, which was set up as a makeshift studio/rehearsal space. They also began recording some of their practice sessions. One of the songs they had a really good recording take on was “I Like”. Adding a couple of newly written songs, including “I Like”, to the set list, they were ready for the 15 March Show. On 14 March, the Band traveled down to Nashville. On the way down they had decided on the band name, “Andrew Neil and Code Purple”. The show would finally happen. This was a dream come true for Andrew, to open for a major artist. Before the show, Andrew drank some bourbon to calm his nerves. Andrew Neil and Code Purple took the stage for the first time. About 30 seconds into the opening song, “Gamblin Man”, Andrew leaned a bit too far to his right and fell off his stool. His band mates helped him to his feet and hopped back on his stool and started playing again as if nothing had happened. The show was a success. After returning back to Virginia, the drummer, Zach, informed us that he could not continue with the Band due to his work obligations. He said he had only agreed to get the band through this first gig. Again, the hunt was on for a new drummer. The mandolin player, Richard Shaw had heard from a friend at work that a drummer had just moved into the area from Indianna and was looking to join a band. His name was Logan Wayne. A tryout was set up and Logan and Andrew were in synch very quickly. “Code Purple” had found a new drummer. The band decided to officially release the song, “I Like” just to see how it would be received. The original recording was sent to producer and mixing engineer, Andy Waldeck, for final mixing. The song was recorded using eight microphones, so there were individual stems that could be mixed. There was some bleed over, but that added to the lofi Garage Rock Sound that the band wanted. The song was officially released to all music streaming platforms through DistroKid on 15 May 2023. With the success of their first Single, “I Like”, Andrew Neil and Code Purple plan to release a full album in late fall 2023. The album is scheduled to be recorded at white Star Sound Studio, located on a historic farm outside of Charlottesville, VA. In late August 2023. The album will be produced by music producer and recording engineer, Andy Waldeck. Nine tracks will be recorded, mixed, and mastered. The album will contain 10 original songs, including “I Like”, written by Andrew Neil. Album title and physical distribution are to be determined.