The Floorwalkers

The Floorwalkers will be performing on the stage at Buck-i-Frenzy! Come one, come all to Buck-i-Frenzy 2012! This year Buck-i-Frenzy will be under the big top, featuring local musicians, carnival games, and other circus acts!




Check back here to see what acts will be showcased on August 21. - OSU Office of Student Life

By Cameron Tillett

On Feb. 11 the Student Activities Board and 91.9 WFPK Radio of Louisville hosted another Live Lunch in the Red Barn at the University of Lousville. The show began at noon and featured the up-and-coming band, The Floorwalkers, of Cleveland, Ohio. The band was playing to promote their Feb. 11 concert at Headliners and their new album, “The Natural Road,” some of which was recorded in Louisville. In addition, they are currently still attempting to raise money for a new band van to officially get a tour under way.

As soon as they began playing, the audience was instantly into the sound that the band was producing. The experience was like unexpectedly seeing an old friend.

It’s been a long time coming for The Floorwalkers, as they’ve spent ten years working hard at honing their sound, and now it looks like it’s beginning to pay off. The six-man band was honored as the best local band of Columbus, Ohio last year and has gathered quite the cult following in that area.

Although the band just released their first album in nearly a decade, it’s easy to why the Floorwalkers have such a large grassroots following in Columbus. From the reaction of the crowd, they’ve definitely established a foothold here in Louisville as well.

In the instance that the Floorwalkers’ music career takes off in the future, it will be great for a few U of L students to say they saw the Floorwalkers in concert at the Red Barn before they got big. - University of Louisville - Louisville Cardinal

By
Will Hoffman

Hot off recording a Daytrotter session, Columbus’s own The Floorwalkers, a slice of Americana rock and soul, are staged to hit Athens Saturday night.

“Daytrotter has that street cred,” lead singer Jonathan Elliott said. “It’s a sign that we are moving on up.”

Daytrotter is a website that finds emerging artists and records a few songs in its studio in Illinois. The site has been a vital tool for local Ohio artists, including Athens-own The Ridges.

Elliott described the Daytrotter studio in Rock Island, Ill. as an old, warehouse-like building outfitted with ’70s vintage audio equipment. After lugging equipment up three flights of stairs, the band spent the day recording with an employee who mixed and recorded everything on the spot.

The Floorwalkers played “For The Better” and “Love the Sun Away,” two songs off their new album The Natural Road. They also gave fans a taste of something new with “Some Love” and “Up The Vine,” two songs that have yet to be released.

Elliot said some fans were asking why the band didn’t play their most well known song “Three Wishes,” the first single off The Natural Road.

“It was a game-time call,” Elliott said. “It’s one of the hardest songs to sing and we like playing new material. It keeps things interesting.”

The Floorwalkers have been successful regionally with their rock Americana sound and are taking new initiatives such as the Daytrotter sessions to keep fresh and expand nationally.

The band is attempting to get as much content out now while it still has time to produce in between touring, said Elliott. They plan on hitting the West Coast for the first time this year and even a European tour in 2013.

“It will be out first stay at the hotel California,” said Theo Perry, guitarist for the band.

The members have been playing together for 10 years and collaboratively write all the material, starting with a catchy hook or riff and building off that, said Perry.

Elliott said that, the band’s music has been requested by fans to be used at weddings and even funerals, even if some of the lyrics seem inappropriate for the occasions.

“It’s good to see the fans rally behind anything you put up,” Perry said. - Ohio University

Voted BEST BAND by readers in 614 Magazines' annual poll three years in a row - (614) Magazine

"Some Love," as a song could be a precursor for a lot of things - eating a backyard, summer BBQ, for instance, or pre-toweling off after a dip in the pool. There's one thing in particular that it most certainly is a precursor to. Toward the end of it, as everything scales back, the acoustic guitar and vocals are left to their hushed comedown that sounds like a bedding is underway. The lights have been turned down and there's an available bend. The pieces of clothing that have been worn all night are being slowly pulled down the legs and over the feet or up and over some stretched arms, extended in a divers position. It's a divine moment, where two people are being pulled seductively into that waiting bed, something that they might not have even been thinking about an hour earlier.

The Floorwalkers, a Columbus, Ohio, group of roots rockers, give us the feeling that one-night stands can be some of the most beautiful things anyone can ever experience. They don't need to be justified. It's good for good's sake. As a matter of fact, with the amount of tenderness that you hear in lead singer Jon Elliott's voice and lyrics, you'd swear that these chance meeting and these intimate, naked rolls in the hay were the right way to do these things and that there's a special kind of appreciation given to these sorts of evenings or afternoons where some sweet looks and some uncontrollable urges tap into one another, flying around like demolition derby drivers bracing themselves for the crash that will really get their blood pumping - kinda the reason they drive in these things in the first place.

At some point in our lives, we're all demolition derby drivers, posing as the soft hearts who just want to see a slow removal of a shirt over the nipples and the long hair of a pretty girl jostling with flung movement and a face that's taken on an intense anticipation that, like it or not is one of the prettiest rarities. It's that moment of breaking from all that's outside the windows and the doors. Elliott and the Floorwalkers have found themselves able to express these intentions supremely, putting together a collection of songs that are primed for everything that's going to happen next, while never feeling trite or dirty.

These songs are about love-making, not sex. There's a big difference and the Floorwalkers bring a Southern gentleman's approach to the proposition, making everything sound endearing. Elliott is joined by drummer Tom Lasky, guitarist Kerry Henderson, guitarist Theo Perry and keyboardist Nate Kremer in putting together a sound that exemplifies those first few lusty notes with someone who could - before you know it -- wind up being the woman you've been married to for 40 years and raised a family with. Elliott sings, "I loved that girl so much that day," and while there an impermanence there, it's his hint that there could easily be many more days like that one and it sounds like he's willing to see them. - Daytrotter

The first time I heard them I was on the patio at The Rumba Cafe. I started shushing
the people I was with. Who is that? Their sound drew me in, soulful, natural--it
reminded of music I listened to in the 70s. When we went back into the club, I was
blown away by how young these guys are and by the realization that every person in
the packed bar was in this band’s groove. Of course I went to the front of the crowd to
get a better look. There was Jonathan Elliott singing lead vocals; Kerry Henderson on
guitar; Ben Meinhold on bass; Theo Perry, who plays lead guitar but was playing a
tambourine at that moment; Tom Lasky on drums and Todd Hamric on the organ.
Their individual personality differences come right through yet bewitchingly mesh
together. Personally, I instantly fell in love with The Floorwalkers.

Since their conception in 2001, the band has moved from Chardon to Columbus
honing their sound and gathering fans at campus parties and clubs.

Their debut CD, The Natural Road was released Nov. 19, 2010 after working on it for
literally years in a warehouse studio in Louisville, Kentucky. I have since been able to
catch up with Kerry and ask him a few questions.


Deb: How has your music evolved since you've started playing together?
Kerry: We went from roots rock band, in our early days, to acoustic trio for a short
time, and back again. So we've ended up with songs now from each of those periods
on this album. And due to our eclectic taste in music, more and more we end up
bending genres and pulling influence from a wide range of music. I know that seems
very cliche, but if you heard.

Deb: Describe your band's song writing process.
Kerry: Long, haha! I think it's not so much long as it is well chosen. It happens in a few
different ways. As a full band, we can very quickly come up with great song sketches,
fully laid out, but spend a much longer time honing and shaping them until they're really
ready to play. However, sometimes one of the guys will bring in a mostly finished song
idea and then we all will add to the mix to finish it. Our songs have developed through
every possible route. Some are lyrics or melody first, some are strictly chords or
instrumental first and some are just happenstance when one of us plays something
that catches another's ear and we build off it.
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Deb: I know you guys are fans of quite a few local bands. Tell me how the local music scene has influenced your band.
Kerry: There are some great central Ohio bands and some very inspiring musicians. The scene here has really been a lifeblood for our songwriting.
Watching another young band make great music can be a huge inspiration and motivation to get creative, to lock ourselves in with our instruments and
see what we come up with. Thats been so crucial in keeping us inspired musically.

Deb: Where did the name "The Natural Road" come from?
Kerry: "The Natural Road" is named for the last song on the album, written by our bass player Ben Meinhold. It is such a fantastic song, and the phrase
itself plays to the tendency in our band for things to happen naturally. Whether it be songwriting or playing live, we tend to just do what feels right and
play to our instincts.
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An interview with guitarist Kerry Henderson
Deb: You guys took your time recording it, were
you completely satisfied with the way it turned out?
Kerry: Yes, we definitely love the overall sound.
Recording music is a totally different way of hearing a
song as opposed to live. So we had to judge on a song
to song basis [to hear] if the parts we were used to
playing on a song were really serving the same
purpose on our record. It became very important to us
to play less, basically. As in every art form, the negative
space is as important to us as the positive. It was a
fantastic experience for us though, we all started to
earn our stripes on this record I think.

Deb: What's the best and worst part of traveling
together?
Kerry: We raised money on Kickstarter and upgraded
our band van; so, thanks to our very generous fans we
no longer need to keep our AAA cards at the ready! The
best is finding out we are all much more juvenile than
we previously thought! The worst is trying to get all six
of us out of a music store, when all we went in - OutOfTheBlue.com

An evening with The Floorwalkers is a far cry from a dull experience. This Columbus native band draws upon rock n’ roll roots, infused with blues, soul, reggae, and Indie. These musical influences create a heartfelt sound and bring purity, love and light for the listener. The group consists of six extremely talented musicians, led by Jonathon Elliot’s distinct soul-hitting vocals. For music lovers, catching The Floorwalkers live is like the icing on the cake! For the familiar faces it’s another night of dancing, singing and smiles. As for the new comers it’s anything but background bar music. I spent another evening in the bliss of their music while pondering what makes these musicians stand out from other local talent.

As people started to arrive, The Floorwalkers began the night by playing a range of soulful-blues tunes, and slow rock songs. They have a way of easing the crowd into the evening while gaining significant interest and appeal. The song “Fly Away” is filled with harmonious melodies and piercing vocals. One of the many qualities The Floorwalkers exude is the ability to make people feel connected from the moment they enter the room. The dance floor is a place of comfort for fans as they immediately find a space to settle. “For The Better” seemed like a crowd favorite as people swayed happily and sang along. At this point the room was heavily filled with people locking interest into this sextet. “Love the Sun Away” is a delightful reggae tune carried out by the sounds of uplifting guitar rifts. As the first set neared closure I began to realize how diverse the collections of songs are.

For a newcomer, the second set may sound quite a bit different than the first. The music has now picked up pace and the crowd becomes immediately immersed. The crisp clear sound of the bluesy piano and dueling guitars during “Red Like the Devil” brought the heat to the room. The crowd continued to be heightened by the music as vocals permeated the air and sounds reached a unique vaudeville swing. The off-rhythm guitar and eerie keys released a high energy during “Morning Song” The lyrics reach full potential through the seductive syncopated vocals. At that point I could only begin to reflect on how their music is far from a one hit wonder. I can’t even select a song that doesn’t appeal to me, and this is what distinguishes The Floorwalkers from other local musicians. As the lights flipped on and last call was made, the band wrapped up the set with the groovy sing along “The Good Word”.

Check out their tune “Three Wishes” below:

The Floorwalkers have the ability to not only connect with a relevant music scene, but also carry over an old time feel. Their diverse music is polished off with groundbreaking original lyrics. With a recently released album titled “The Natural Road” and current touring plans, The Floorwalkers are readily available for public appeal. The new album can be downloaded on iTunes. For tour updates and information on the Floorwalkers visit http://www.thefloorwalkers.com - OurVinyl.com

Live Lunch takes it on the road to the George J. Howe Red barn at the University of Louisville. Check out the video of The Floorwalkers and their song “Three Wishes”.

Read more: http://www.wfpk.org/2011/02/14/the-floorwalkers-live-lunch-video/#ixzz1QViXmAXi
- WFPK 91.9 Radio Louisville

Beachland Ballroom was graced with quite the show last Fri 4/22. After a folk intro from Chicago’s The Damn Choir, followed by the electro-indie Walk the Moon, The Floorwalkers took the stage. The six piece from Chardon, OH – and now Columbus – brought out the big guns (tambourine and hand claps) for the first song and the performance only continued to gain momentum.

What stands out the most with the Floorwalkers is their inherent ability to play any genre. Each song has its own moments of ska, jam, alt rock and soul. Jon Elliot’s voice seems limitless with each song – his vocals are effortless; by the end of the show I was convinced he was capable of singing any song, any style (although am still reconsidering opera). Several songs had a very Sublime feel to them, yet would be followed up with a Jason Mraz-y pop rock. The band has a stage presence and it’s clear they’re at home in front of the crowd. They weren’t out to impress the crowd, it just happened as a result of their own hedonic love of music.

Instrumentally the band holds its own. Apart from the impressive electric guitar solos, the acoustic guitarist pulled out a steel slide guitar mid-show, and the singer showed up everyone with a wild kazoo piece. The show as a whole was a huge crescendo of quality, each song surpassing the next.

The audience, which had started out fairly stagnant, was completely grooving by the end – enough to request a second encore. The Floorwalkers have won over many a crowd, including those at SXSW this past March. Maybe you should be at their next show? That was a request. On Mon 5/20 they open for the national act O.A.R. at the LC Pavilion in Columbus. Find out where you need to roadtrip and hear more at http://TheFloorwalkers.com.

If more convincing is necessary or you need some physical evidence on the table, check out their video for the single “Three Wishes” off The Natural Road: http://YouTube.com. - CoolCleveland

R&B influenced Rock 'n' Roll at it's best, The Floorwalkers resembled a illegitimate lovechild conceived by John Legend and Eddie Vedder. Lead guitar player Theo Hendrix is every bit as good as his stage name, and the unsigned band hailing from Columbus, Ohio have built a modest following in Buckeye Country. With little or no publicity other than word of mouth, their second full-length album "The Natural Road" just became available on iTunes, but they are far from making it big. They recently started a fund via Facebook to fix their van so they can start touring. Your $5 donation could be all they need.
- ChicagoNow

It would take a long shopping list to run down all the ingredients that make The Floorwalkers one of this town's most beloved bands. They're faithful students of the full spectrum of American music - pop, rock, jazz, soul, country, funk and whatever else strikes their fancy - and they integrate each shred of inspiration so deftly into their bitchin' brew that if you didn't see their youthful visages, you might think they had been doing this for decades.

- Chris DeVille - Columbus Alive

I was listening to the Floorwalkers EP the other day for the first time in, oh, 18 months and I was seriously struck by how beautiful and soulful singer Jonathan Elliott’s voice is. It’s just heartbreaking—he’s a white, junior soul man. The cat can sing. (And whoever did the engineering recorded him near perfectly.)

By coincidence, the Floorwalkers were playing at the Thirsty Ear Friday, so I went, getting in at the end of their first set just as they were in the homestretch of the Allman Brothers’ “One Way Out.” Guitarist Kerry Henderson was sitting, playing a lap steel and smokin’ a blistering reincarnation of Duane’s sweetly stinging leads.

Clearly, this band always has had and still does have something.

Their second set was mostly original, mostly good-timey, slightly jam-bandy and mostly easy going. Girls danced every song, a rarity in that place. Girls, that is.

As for the songs themselves, the Floorwalkers are concerned with feel first, form second. In short, they are but one sympathetic producer away from tweaking their material to what I think would be the beginning of the big time for them—they are that tantalizingly close to having it all in one fine package.

In the meantime, my loving criticism, gentlemen: Fire your soundman, or at least beat him until he mixes Jonathan’s voice where it should be—out front and in the open. It is simply too fine an instrument to have competing against everyone else’s output.

As for your penchant for trading instruments among yourselves more than any band I’ve ever seen, uh, I think that might not fly once you get to the next level.

But then again, do whatever the hell you want. You sure do seem to love making music.

- John Petric - The Other Paper

I was listening to the Floorwalkers EP the other day for the first time in, oh, 18 months and I was seriously struck by how beautiful and soulful singer Jonathan Elliott’s voice is. It’s just heartbreaking—he’s a white, junior soul man. The cat can sing. (And whoever did the engineering recorded him near perfectly.)

By coincidence, the Floorwalkers were playing at the Thirsty Ear Friday, so I went, getting in at the end of their first set just as they were in the homestretch of the Allman Brothers’ “One Way Out.” Guitarist Kerry Henderson was sitting, playing a lap steel and smokin’ a blistering reincarnation of Duane’s sweetly stinging leads.

Clearly, this band always has had and still does have something.

Their second set was mostly original, mostly good-timey, slightly jam-bandy and mostly easy going. Girls danced every song, a rarity in that place. Girls, that is.

As for the songs themselves, the Floorwalkers are concerned with feel first, form second. In short, they are but one sympathetic producer away from tweaking their material to what I think would be the beginning of the big time for them—they are that tantalizingly close to having it all in one fine package.

In the meantime, my loving criticism, gentlemen: Fire your soundman, or at least beat him until he mixes Jonathan’s voice where it should be—out front and in the open. It is simply too fine an instrument to have competing against everyone else’s output.

As for your penchant for trading instruments among yourselves more than any band I’ve ever seen, uh, I think that might not fly once you get to the next level.

But then again, do whatever the hell you want. You sure do seem to love making music.

- John Petric - The Other Paper

The cogs of the well-oiled interchangeable local rock machine known as The Floorwalkers are as diverse and unique as each member of the group’s musical backgrounds. One song could be tilted in more of a funk direction, one could push a rock/jazz breakdown, but as far a they are concerned, it’s all soul to them.

“We try to make sure that no matter what direction the music we are putting out, that it’s got a lot of soul to it,” says Jonathan Elliott, lead vocalist. “That’s really what we try to bring out when we are on stage.”

The Floorwalkers have been playing the stages of central Ohio and beyond for years after the core members of the group moved from Chardon, a suburb of Cleveland, for college and ended up playing acoustic sets around campus. Elliott, along with Kerry Henderson, guitars; Ben Meinhold, bass; Theo Perry, guitars; Tom Lasky, drums; and Todd Hamric, piano and organ, have evolved into a soulful six-headed rock monster, with a diverse arsenal and strong following.

“We consider ourselves at the most basic, a roots rock band,” says Henderson. “There aren’t really a lot of groups out there today that really stick to the traditional American rock formula; that’s what we really try to stay true to.”

With a band that sometimes includes the likes of a mandolin, a Dobro, an upright bass, spoons and a harmonica, and members who can play and write on multiple instruments, there is no shortage of inspiration or direction. The Floorwalkers draw a lot from groups like The Band and The Allman Brothers and certainly show it in their occasional jams ripe with impressive guitar solos and heartfelt lyrics, all of which they have been trying to capture in a studio for the good part of three years and are finally wrapping up.

The Floorwalkers’ first full-length is due out next month and promises to be a good mix of the old and the new of the best of the band has been putting out on the stage for years.

“It was really kind of frustrating how long it took to put the album together,” says Elliott. “While we were recording it, other bands would start and finish recording records. We took a little longer, but we are very happy with how it ended up.” - C Magazine

It has been a bit unfair, really. Ohio, for almost a decade, has selfishly laid claim to the Floorwalkers, reaping the melodic benefits of one of the city's most brilliant bands.

With the release of The Natural Road (the full-length debut for a band that sparked the stage for hundreds of local gigs in the last three years, and was voted Best Band in (614)'s ColumBest readers' poll last May), we may be forced to share our underground secret with national audiences.

As we sit in a local watering hole, sipping on White Russians, Crown & Sprites and hot chocolate, the Floorwalkers are giddy with the relief and gratitude that comes with pressing a first record.

"Right now, this album is everything for us," said lead guitarist Theo Perry. "It feels amazing to be so close to the release date. We have put so many hours and so much hard work into this album. It was crucial that we put the Floorwalkers' best foot forward."

With The Natural Road, the Floorwalkers could be poised to gain national attention for their monstrous, amalgamated sound. The album effortlessly spins the sounds of Stevie Wonder and Ray Lamontagne into one tight-knit production, the product of three years of recording split between studios in Louisville and Nashville.

The album title is ironically fitting, says bassist Ben Meinhold. Even though the core group of friends that now make up the band go way back - multi-instrumentalist Kerry Henderson, lead vocalist Jon Elliott and drummer Tom Lasky were high school classmates - they had never really set out to be a band.

"Jon's mom was a music director at a public school and she got us all on the John Lennon Bus (a mobile nonprofit music studio geared toward reaching teens though music), which is where we all gelled together for the first time as musicians."

"Oddly enough, that is the day we met Theo, too," said Meinhold.

The 14 tracks on The Natural Road showcase the band as a legitimate radio threat. The songs intertwine an array of bombastic grooves, intricate folk and earnest soul told through the narrative of relationship dysfunction. Songs like "Three Wishes" and "Red Like the Devil" are bona fide party-starters, while album standouts "Fire Game" and "One" channel the Floorwalkers' inner Bill Withers.

When the Floorwalkers let their bruised and battered wall down a bit, the songs really congeal. "Lay You Down" glistens with a weepy sheen, calling to mind a contemporary Nick Drake or Noah and the Whale.

"The album is kind of this big compilation of our musical journey," Meinhold said. "Our music has always come to us organically. From the beginning we have focused on playing and writing original music. But our direction has grown more electrified as we've grown musically. Everyone in the band is here to bring the volume up."

The journey will take another tuneful twist as the Floorwalkers have grandiose plans for their release event. Henderson says the goal is to recreate the sound of the album itself being recorded.

"All the horns, strings, and instruments - everything - we are going to really play the album," he said. "Columbus has given so much to us and shown us so much support over the years. We can't wait to finally give something back."

- Joshua Fitzwater - (614) Magazine

Over the past few years, The Floorwalkers have become one of Columbus' more popular local rock acts. However, unlike other outfits churning out post-grunge schlock, metal din or hardcore drivel, this sextet—Jon Elliott (lead vocals), Kerry Henderson (guitar), Theo Perry (guitar), Ben Meinhold (bass), Todd Hamric (piano/organ) and Tom Lasky (drummer)—seemingly explores less of someone’s favorite playlist and more the entire iPod.

That's how the group, which got its start when a few members were still in high school outside of Cleveland, packed in more than 600 people during its final weekly residency at Ruby’s, which began in Aug. 2007 and lasted through this past February.

Now the band is set to release its debut CD, "The Natural Road," during a release party Friday, Nov. 19 at Skully's.

We talked with Meinhold about the new album, the group's Central Ohio following and the future of the act.

Congrats on the release of your debut CD. How would you describe “The Natural Road”?
It’s a very eclectic record. We’re a very eclectic band and we have a lot of influences, a lot of sides. No two songs sound alike. We’ve got a lot of real groovy, danceable music—real pop-oriented. We’ve been told it sounds like Jamiroquai, which I agree with. I’ve also heard Black Crowes.

How do those two seemingly incongruous sounds mesh?
We’re a very upbeat danceable band, kind of like Jamiroquai, and then the vocals are more Black Crowes—kind of bluesy but a little husky. It just works. It flows together and sounds good. For example, the first track on the record is the single called “Three Wishes.” It’s upbeat, funky. It’s real kind of Stevie Wonder influenced. Another track we like is “Love the Sun Away,” which is kind of an island-y, beachy sound. It’s almost reggae.

Dance music, blues and reggae. So The Floorwalkers aren’t afraid to explore whatever comes to mind?
We feel like that’s where music is going at the moment. It’s very eclectic and kind of non-genre, or submissive to genres. I’m not worried about it. All our songs sound good, everything sounds radio-friendly and it all flows nicely.

As far as the career is concerned, how many shows are The Floorwalkers playing?
Probably about 100 to 150 a year. That’s kind of where our income comes from now, and luckily we have a good following. We draw about 200 people at a show in Columbus. So we’re looking to take it as far as we can, obviously. If we can get on a record label and some support or a distribution deal would be ideal. Next for us is just getting some radio airplay and more publicity.

Finally, The Floorwalkers are known for playing a wide array of cover songs. Anything from Stevie Wonder and Jimi Hendrix to The Allman Brothers Band and The Doors. What gives?
We’ve got tons of songs, over 100 cover songs we play out regularly. Our concert is not your run-of-the-mill show. People just come out, have a good time and leave feeling energized.

- John Benson - Columbu Metromix

The road to "The Natural Road" was long and fraught with detours, but The Floorwalkers will finally release their first proper album Friday at Skully's.

Since forming among high school friends in Chardon circa 2001, the band has morphed, migrated and matured into arguably the most versatile pop-rock combo in Columbus, a well-honed unit capable of tackling nearly any genre and making it their own.

Recorded in spurts over the course of three-plus years, "The Natural Road" can't help but reflect The Floorwalkers' omnivorous approach.

"With such a long process for this album, we heard so many different things," guitarist Kerry Henderson said. "So many different bands would come out with albums, and we'd be like, 'Let's try and do that. Let's try and do that.' And then somehow it all swings back into your yard again."

The album is the end product of the most fruitful period of The Floorwalkers' decade-long career, marked by the 2007 addition of keyboardist Todd Hamric, who "completely karate kicked" the group's sound according to frontman Jonathan Elliott.

The band's lengthy stint working with Louisville-based producer Danny Kiely (Bonnie "Prince" Billy) also coincided with their two-and-a-half-year Wednesday night residency at Campus music hub Ruby Tuesday.

Though they ended the weekly gig about a year ago to focus on finishing the album and touring, those 129 Wednesdays were instrumental in honing their chops, expanding their repertoire and building a vast local following.

"Ruby's is where we met Columbus and where Columbus met us," Henderson said.

If the Ruby's residency was a lengthy courtship, "The Natural Road" is a firm handshake. Over 14 tracks in 55 minutes, it documents the band's entire history; opener "Three Wishes" dates back to guitarist Theo Perry's first practice with the band in 2003. As much a greatest hits collection as a debut album, it shows just how much ground they can cover without ceasing to sound like The Floorwalkers.

Sultry soul-funk, reggae-tinged pop and bluesy rock bluster rear their heads. The album's finest moments, though, are its calmest. From the swaying folk-pop of "For the Better" and "Fire Game" to the choral bliss of "Lay You Down" and "The Natural Road," the whispers communicate as powerfully as the shouts.

Every musician here plays like a master of his craft, but they rarely grab the spotlight, instead coalescing into rich arrangements built to complement Elliott's silky tenor. The rhythm section of Ben Meinhold and Tom Lasky is especially dexterous - you don't pull off this many feels and flavors without a firm foundation.

They've come a long way since Chardon circa 2001.

- Chris DeVille
- Columbus Alive

We have, and we like what we hear. The Floorwalkers are Columbus based, however, most of the members are local to the Cleveland area. Their New CD, The Natural Road has our attention.

The Inner Sanctum checked them out last Friday to see what the buzz is about, and was impressed enough to write a review (See The Floorwalkers to view Nicole’s review). The Floorwalkers also made a big impression on Columbus crowds and were given Columbus’ 614 Magazine’s ‘Best Local Band’ honor.

Though the band is Columbus based, five of the six members have local roots. Four of them are from the east side small town, Chardon, Ohio. Jon Elliot (lead vocals/harmonica), Kerry Henderson (guitar/mandolin), Ben Meinhold (bass guitar), Tom Lasky (drums) make up the Chardonites. The fifth local member, Theo Perry (guitar) is from Cleveland. The final member is Todd Hamric (keyboards/organ) is from (not all that far away) Memphis Tennessee. You could arguably call them a Cleveland band; and they do play local venues such as the Beachland Ballroom (which is where the Inner Sanctum caught up with them). The Floorwalkers have current plans to tour (dates can be found on the homepage of their website).

Their single Three Wishes is one of those songs that not only has uncommon lyrics, the song sticks with you. The video’s pretty cool too.

The bands influences are The Allman Brothers, The Band, and Elvis Presley, creating a sound that makes me think of The Black Crowes with side of Bob Marley dipped in rhythm and blues, almost a little reminiscent of MTV’s VMA Best Breakthrough Video Winners, The Black Keys (whose home base is Akron). However, no matter how I try to describe The Floorwalkers, they hold their own truly unique sound, and are definitely worth a listen.


- Radio 92.3 Cleveland

For more than two years, the Floorwalkers had a weekly gig at the University District bar Ruby Tuesday.

"Every Wednesday, rain or snow, crowd or no crowd, we would try out new tunes and alter old ones," bass player Ben Meinhold said. "We made a lot of long-term connections.

"However, we all knew it was something we couldn't and shouldn't keep doing forever."

The central Ohio sextet, including four friends from the Cleveland suburbs, has focused its efforts of late on recording and promoting its first full-length release, The Natural Road.

Meinhold, whose band will have a party Friday to celebrate the album, recently had more to say:

Q How did you choose the name?

A The first time I heard the word floorwalker - or read it, rather - was in Hunter S. Thompson's book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. That just seemed to click with all of us.

Soon after, I started to notice how "walking the floor" seemed to be a recurring theme in many famous songs of the past - including songs by Bob Dylan and Hank Williams.

Q How would you describe your recent recording sessions?

A Intensive but very exciting. We recorded the bulk in Louisville, Ky., at a warehouse studio run by our producer, Danny Kiely.

It was amazing to witness these songs ... come into their own.

It has taken a lot of hard work and determination, but we have finally come out with something we all are extremely proud of and excited to share.

Q Why should someone see a Floorwalkers show?

A We incorporate everything we love about American music, past and present. Our tunes are diverse; our sound is good; and, above all, we enjoy playing.

Plus, we'll be giving out some free stuff.

- Kevin Joy - The Columbus Dispatch