SPOTLIGHT = Ingram Hill (1 song), Incubus (1 song) & Rick James (1 song)

A band formed summer 2000, a band from Calabasas CA & an artist from Buffalo NY….

#1
Ingram Hill was formed the summer of 2000 when childhood friends Justin Moore & Phil Bogard joined with Shea Sowell & Matt Chambless. This song, from the band’s 2nd album ‘June’s Picture Show’, is 1 of 2 charting hits; it peaked at #22 on the Adult Top 40 in 2004 &, with popularity the year after my 01/06/2003 open heart surgery, instantly resonated with me. The band’s other charting tune was 2005’s “Almost Perfect” (#25). The band also recorded a cover of Boston’s “More Than A Feeling” for the ‘Herbie’ soundtrack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8r7RGeuonM

#2
Incubus formed in 1991 in Calabasas CA by Brandon Boyd, Mike Einziger & Jose Pasillas while enrolled in Calabasas High School. This song (about fear) was released 11/20/2000 as the 3rd & final single from their 3rd album ‘Make Yourself’ & is considered their breakthrough hit. This single peaked in 2001 at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, #8 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks & #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks charts. Elsewhere, it notched at #13 in New Zealand, #34 in Australia & #40 in England. Other successful songs on the Mainstream Rock Tracks & Modern Rock Tracks charts include 1999’s “Pardon Me”, 2001’s “Wish You Were Here”, 2003’s “Megalomaniac” & 2006’s “Anna-Molly”.

#3
Rick James is a Buffalo NY-native musician & composer, influenced by Marvin Gaye & Smokey Robinson, who began his career by singing in doo-wop & R&B groups as a teenager. This song was released 07/10/1981 & has become his signature tune, reaching #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart & claiming #1 on the Dance Club Play chart. Elsewhere, this single notched in the Top 5 of 6 other charts & was famously sampled as part of MC Hammer’s well-known 1990 single, “U Can’t Touch This”. Other familiar tunes by James include 1978’s “You & I”, 1981’s “Give It To Me Baby” & 1983’s “Cold Blooded”.