The Coal Men   -  Biography

Comprised of childhood neighbors Dave Coleman and Jason "Hitch" Hitchcock, as well as kindred spirit Dave Ray, The Coal Men have built an impressive following in the five years they've been gigging in Nashville. Coleman blossomed early as a songwriter, signing a publishing deal at age 20 with the legendary Acuff-Rose Music. Still, he wanted to be in a band and more than just the high school cover bands he and Hitch had back in their hometown of Jamestown, Tenn. In the early days, three other musicians shared their vision, including Ray, a Washington, D.C., native.

The group tightened up after slimming down from a quintet, to a quartet, to finally a trio. They had all gained studio-recording experience in Nashville and worked as sidemen with other artists and bands. But after recording a five-song EP in 2001, they agreed it was time to make a full-length album, comprised of Coleman's roots-oriented material. Nowhere's Too Far arrived in early 2004 on the band's own label, Vaskaleedez Records, taking its name from the film Office Space.

Along with the contributions of producer Bob Delevante, the album includes guest artists Duane Jarvis, Richard Ferraira, Carter Wood and Joy Lynn White.