O.A.R.
- O.A.R. is Marc Roberge (vocals, guitar), Chris Culos (drums, percussion), Richard On (guitar, backing vocals), Benj Gershman (bass guitar) and Jerry DePizzo (saxophone, guitar, backing vocals). 
- O.A.R. is an acronym for the band’s full name, Of a Revolution.  O.A.R. is a prominent jam band, which got their start at Ohio State University as college students.  Often times O.A.R. has been compared to the Dave Matthews Band. 
- Early on, neighborhood friends, Mark Roberge and Chris Culos formed a short lived band after being inspired by Pearl Jam.
- A few years later, Roberge had an opportunity to perform at the University of Maryland opening for Roberge brother’s group, Foxtrot Zulu.  Roberge collaborated with Culos, Richard On and Benj Gershman and called themselves O.A.R.  Of A Revolution came from a phrase taken from a short story written by Roberge.
- After the successful opening performance the group decided to begin work on an album.  In 1997, the band completed their first album, The Wanderer in four days.  The album contained the song “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker” which grew in popularity.  Online distribution of the album helped the band become popular and gain a huge fan base on college campuses. 
- While the members of O.A.R. were attending Ohio Sate University they met saxophonist Jerry DePizzo.  They added DePizzo to the group and began work on their sophomore album, Souls Aflame.
- Souls Aflame was released independently in 1999.  Although O.A.R. was becoming increasingly more popular, the members were committed to their education.  They did not have a record label or tour support, but began selling out local venues. 
- In 2001, O.A.R. formed their own label, Everfine Records and released their next album, Risen with help from producer John Alagia.  Risen sold more than 60,000 copies. 
- The bands fan base wanted a live album so, O.A.R. compiled and released the double live album Any Time Now.  The album sold more than 100,000 copies.
- After participating in the 2002 Jeep World Outside Tour, which included Sheryl Crow and Train, the band acquired a deal with major label Lava Records.   
- O.A.R.’s major label debut, In Between Now and Then placed the band on the mainstream map and on Billboard charts.
- The band’s second live album, 34th & 8th, was released in 2004 after much touring. 
- The 2005 studio album, Stories of a Stranger, produced a pair of Top 20 Billboard hits, “Love and Memories” and “Heard the World.” 
- Live from Madison Square Garden was released in 2007.  The album was recorded on January 27, 2007 to a sold out crowd at Madison Square Garden.  The band received a review in the New York Times due to the success of the     show. 
- O.A.R.'s commercially-minded album All Sides was released in 2008.  The single, “Shattered (Turn that Car Around),” peaked at #2 on Billboards Adult Top 40 and the video landed the #18 spot on VH1’s Top 40 Videos of 2008.
- In 2009, the four-disc live set Rain or Shine was released.  The album was recorded at on June 18 and 19, 2009 at Charter One Pavilion in Chicago.
 - O.A.R. is the example successful college band and continues to grow in popularity by touring the country.  They are scheduled to release a studio album in the summer of 2010. 

Discography
The Wanderer (1997), Souls Aflame (2000), Risen (2001), Any Time Now (2002), In Between Now and Then (2003), 34th & 8th (2004), Stories of a Stranger (2005), Live from Madison Square Garden (2007), All Sides (2008), Hello, Tomorrow (EP) (2009), Rain or Shine (2010)

Awards and Recognition
- Risen reached #4 on Billboards Heatseekers chart in 2002
- 34th & 9th peaked at #6 on Billboards Top Independent Albums in 2004
- Performed at Bonnaroo in 2008