Whether it’s Natalie Stovall’s breathtaking vocals and larger-than-life stage presence, her band’s turbo-charged, take-no prisoners live shows, or the collective unit’s barnstorming worldwide tours, Natalie Stovall and The Drive prove they are arena ready. A humble, charismatic entertainer with a trademark lion’s mane of big blonde hair, Natalie and her powerful vocals and sparkling fiddle leave audiences spellbound.

Although she can seem larger than life onstage, offstage she’s as down home and as easy-going as can be. One-on-one sincerity and a contagious personality just come naturally to this small town girl from Columbia, Tennessee. Make no mistake though, as soon as you put this small town girl in front of an audience – something spontaneous, mesmerizing, and explosive happens.

Natalie has been playing professionally since she was ten, and performed everywhere from the White House to the Oprah Winfrey Show. “I started violin lessons at the age of four after my granny saw an ad in the Columbia paper for a new violin teacher in town” says Natalie. “Looking back, I’m not even sure if I really knew what I was getting into. I think I just knew it involved me being on stage and that’s all I needed.”

Natalie’s musical influences might span from the high-energy shows of Shania Twain and Garth Brooks to legends like Michael Jackson and Aerosmith, but make no mistake, her country roots run deep. ”Growing up performing at Opryland, I was always around the Opry and following all the country stars… I spent hours dreaming of being on that stage, “ says Natalie. At the age of 12, her dream came true when she made her Grand Ole Opry debut.

“It’s funny when people ask me if my music is country,” Natalie smiles, “I grew up in Columbia, Tennessee playing fiddle at Opryland every day, but at the same time I was a child of the radio. Once I put my fiddle down for the day, I was just as likely to be listening to Michael Jackson or Aerosmith as I was to Reba or Faith Hill. I’m sure my music reflects that, that’s who I am.”

The Drive’s seven–year journey has been forged like fine steel with the durable attributes of family values and hard work. Performing over 200 dates a year, they were named Entertainers of the Year in 2012 by Campus Activities Magazine and returned this Summer from the Middle East on one of their many Navy Entertainment Tours in support of our troops across the globe.

Led by multi-instrumentalist and lead vocalist Natalie Stovall, The Drive includes drummer James Bavendam from Seattle, Chile’s Miguel Cancino on guitar, Zach Morse from Cheyenne, Wyoming on bass and vocals and Redding, California guitarist and vocalist Joel Dormer.

“I’ve been touring and playing shows with different musicians most of my life,” laughs Natalie. “But something different started to happen when the five of us got together in 2006. It wasn’t magic overnight but we all knew there was something special there. So we kept touring, kept playing, kept working and refining our live show until we felt we were getting it right.”

“After so many years playing and living in a van together, it came to a point where it didn’t matter that the posters at the venues just had my name – we had become a band. And I felt that since we walk like a band, and talk like a band and play like a band…well, then let’s just call it what it is. That’s when The Drive was born.”
Soon after, as fate would have it, on a chilly January night in Nashville, HitShop Records president Skip Bishop was in attendance as Natalie Stovall and The Drive kicked off their 2013 tour. “I knew immediately that I was in the presence of something great,” remarks Skip. “Natalie and her band are the personification of heart pounding performances, remarkable musicianship, dynamic material and purely joyful American-made music entertainment,” shares Bishop, who instantly presented the band with an exclusive recording contract.

Currently, the band is recording its HitShop/Warner Records debut album with famed producer, Paul Worley, whose work with the likes of country icons Dixie Chicks, Lady Antebellum, Big and Rich, and The Band Perry have earned him five Grammy® Awards.
“When Paul told us he wanted to take this journey with us, we were over the moon,” says Natalie. “We are so thankful we have gotten to wake up everyday and grow and learn from someone like Paul.”

Just like Skip, Paul was compelled to come on board after being in the audience for one of their Nashville shows. “Natalie Stovall and The Drive are a game changer in the same way that Lady Antebellum were when I first saw them,” says Worley. “They have it all. The talent, the songs, the look, the entertainment chops- and a live show that will blow you away, and Natalie is one of the best singers I have ever worked with.”

Natalie Stovall and The Drive are realizing their dream each day as they perform for fans around the world and finish up their debut record, set to release in 2014.
So what will success look like for the band?’ “We are already successful. We’ve been living our dream for a while and now its time to see how far it can go,” she confides.

“I want people to know it’s possible to follow your dreams. The path isn’t always easy, but honestly, it shouldn’t be. If you surround yourself with the right people, even the hardest days can be a lot of fun. Someday I hope to sell out arenas with my band, performing music we are proud to play.”

Natalie continues, “there is no better high than when the band is on and they’re reaching for that place between music and magic and we have a crowd in front of us willing to take that ride. That is musical heaven.”

Natalie Stovall and The Drive is available for corporate events, private shows, milestone celebrations (birthday, anniversary), fundraisers, festivals, and more.