William Ellis
Blue Merle's Burning Drummer

When William Ellis and his Blue Merle bandmates began work on their debut album, Burning In The Sun, the biggest challenge was to hold back. "Working with our producer, Stephen Harris, it was all about restraint," Ellis says. "He knew what we were all capable of on our instruments, but his philosophy was to make a record, not just a few singles. So there's a lot of restraint from me on this record. But I'll do whatever a producer wants me to do, as soon as I understand his vision."

Perhaps Ellis's commitment to serve the song stems from his days as a session drummer in Nashville. "The first thing I think about is how I can play more musically to make a song happen," he says.

While Ellis was content to let the songs drive his playing, he is exceedingly excited about his band's first album. Blue Merle, a band based on mandolin, guitars, and keyboards, explores acoustic possibilities with rock energy and vibe. Ellis is impressive on Burning. He grooves on the Latin-influenced "Either Way It Goes" and the straight-8th feel of "Boxcar Racer." He also likes the improvisation that "Seeing Through You" allows in live shows, as well as the studio challenge of "Bittersweet Memory." "There's a darkness to that tune," Ellis says. "The mystique made me play differently from the way I previously had with the band."

Harriet L. Schwart

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