Every Mothers Nightmare

Every Mothers Nightmare is one of the myriad of hard rock bands to form during the '80s. Despite strong label support, EMN was one of those bands in the genre to be swept aside by the alternative rock acts of the early '90s. Lead singer Rick Ruhl and drummer Jim Phipps formed the band in Tennessee in 1986-87. They then added, bassist Mark McMurtry and guitarist Steve Malone to flesh out the lineup. EMN became a successful draw in the clubs of Nashville and Memphis Tennessee. In April 1989, Clive Davis of Arista Records arrived in Memphis to see them perform. As fate would have it, the act with whom they were playing, refused to let them use their lighting or sound equipment so, EMN auditioned for Davis in a warehouse studio. The band was so impressive, Davis signed them a week later. Now, although in 1990 (the time the band issued their self-titled debut record ) metal had begun to run its course and the alternative scene began to explode. EMN worked hard, touring extensively, releasing two videos on MTV, thousands of interviews and autographs and "Love Can Make You Blind" received enough attention to give Every Mother's Nightmare a hit. The song was sufficient enough to keep the label in the band's corner, even though the scene was breaking up. Arista then enlisting hit maker, Kevin Elson to produce the follow-up record "Wake Up Screaming", which spawned a video and a bit of radio play. Sadly, shortly after the record was released in 1993 the band found that musical tastes had shifted so, EMN and Arista agreed to part ways. The band has released several indi-records and has undergone numerous lineup changes over the years. Now, Ruhl has returned with a new incarnation of Every Mother's Nightmare, which included guitarists Travis Hall and Randi Mike, bassist Troy Fleming, and drummer Jim Phipps.