European Country Band Of The Year 2007
European CMA Entertainer Of 2007
European CMA Future Star Of 2007
THE ROWERS - BIO :
The Kosice-based band THE ROWERS (Veslari), was formed in 1971 and is the oldest country band in Slovakia. During this time more than 60 musicians have played with the group, contributing to the bands long development process. Over those years, the band's music genre has also evolved: from folk music to bluegrass, until todays modern country style.
In between of the 70’s and 80‘s, the band VESLARI recorded roughly 100 songs for Czechoslovakian radio and TV, and its music aired regularly through that time period.
The band participated in the production of the first two country music compilation LP's in Slovakia, "Ked svitne rano" and "Country trh No.1", where a number of its songs were recorded."
They have been selected "Best Country Band" by the SCMA (Slovak Country music Association) and won numerous awards.
In the beginning of 2004, PETER DULA , a very talented young singer and songwriter joined the band as the lead vocalist. The band began performing as "PETER & THE ROWERS"
Subsequently, the band gained even greater notoriety, performed at many festivals, fairs, rodeos, concerts and top venues throughout Europe, amazing it's audiences and organizers alike. In the summer of 2005 Peter & The Rowers won a prize for the best band at the biggest country festival in central Europe "STODOLA MICHALA TUCNEHO" in the Czech Republic and a week later they competed at the biggest Country and Folk festival in Slovakia "COUNTRY LODENICA" and came in the first place.
PETER & THE ROWERS (VESLARI) are the top band playing modern country music in Europe and they proved it with another smash hit "Ja Pojdem Sam".
They received the prestigious "AUREL ACADEMY AWARD" (the Slovak version of Grammy) for the best country album in Slovakia for 2006. Aurel is the most prestigious award for music and it is the highest honor bestowed on an artist in Slovakia.
The song "Blind Horses" from this CD went to no.3 on "Worldwide Country Chart" in July 2006 and in January 2007 it went all the way to no.1 on prestigious "ECMA TOP 100 CHART" (European CMA Country Radio Airplay chart). The next single, "I'm Leavin'" made history when the song went straight to no.1 and stayed at the top for consecutive 14 weeks.
"I'm Leavin'" was also featured on a Universal Music compilation CD, which was released in Europe to promote new music by Peter & The Rowers and fellow stars Vince Gill, Mark Chesnutt, Dolly Parton and others .
In late 2007 the band performed in Nashville, TN, where they started co-operating with top songwriters and artists on their new album, which is being finished in a Leon Art studio in Bardejov, Slovakia.
The upcoming Peter & The Rowers album will feature the total of three duets with special star guests. One of them is the honky tonk legend Joe Diffie , who is going to help out Peter Dula with the original "Long Gone Loner". Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Billy Yates, will also lend his vocals to the project. The list of star guests concludes with the Nashville star winner Buddy Jewell, who will collaborate with Peter on the song "Waitin' For The Rain". The long-anticipated album"Honky Tonk Dream" is coming out this year.
To celebrate all the success, Europan Country Music Association recognized Peter & The Rowers with nominations for their annual awards show.
The Slovak band made the awards their own, turning 8 nominations into 6 wins. Since they were nominated twice in two categories, they won all they possibly could. Not only did they win the European Artist of the Year award, but also the prestigious international Artist of the Year award. Peter & The Rowers also scored in the major categories Song of the Year ("I'm Leavin'"), Group/Band of the Year, ECMA Future Star Award and ECMA European Song of the Year ("I'm Leavin'"). This is an incredible success for this Slovak band, whose members found themselves beating superstars such as Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Mark Chesnutt, who were among other nominees. The list of winners also includes Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Billy Yates and Vince Gill.
Check out the band's website for more info and calendar at www.therowers.eu
