america, dear history america, dear officially came together late in the summer of 1998. ned norland had agreed earlier that spring to do a show in nyc with a friend from colorado early in november. come september, ned still hadn't written a single song that he felt comfortable with. to finally force himself to write material, he brought his guitar and four track to his father's townhouse. three afternoons a week he went there, and the songs started happening. within three weeks he had written the songs that would become the album "west countryside drive". the show in november was a smashing success for america, dear. one person even bought a tape that wasn't related to ned. america, dear played a few more shows that winter and spring. (see complete list below) after a hiatus of a couple years america, dear moved south and found the occasional opportunity to return to the stage. some new songs were written and some new spirits found in old ones. there is the possibility of new recordings, but for the moment ned is simply enjoying the stages, steps and benches that he's able to sing from. america, dear shows: 2009 november 7th - house show - chapel hill, nc - america, dear * liza kate 2008 november 1st - house show - chapel hill, nc - america, dear * erie choir * golden ghost * viking moses 2007 november 3rd - house show - chapel hill, nc - america, dear * hiss golden messenger * billy sugarfix 2004 august 25th - the nightlight - chapel hill, nc - america, dear * the ants * erie choir * billy sugarfix may 9th - pritchard park - asheville, nc - america, dear * tiger saw * viking moses may 6th - the nightlight - chapel hill, nc - america, dear * tiger saw * viking moses march 31st - open eye coffeehouse - chapel hill, nc - america, dear * mike ferraro 2003 november 1st - the nightlight - chapel hill, nc - america, dear * snoozer * cara hyde march 21st - house show - wilmington, nc - america, dear * the love letter band 2002 may 25th - house party - romney, wv - america, dear * sow belly * murray the cop 1999 september - court tavern - new brunswick, nj - america, dear * perio * dogbowl june 24th - borders, east brunswick, nj - abstract flavors coffehouse (america, dear & others) may 27th - borders, east brunswick, nj - abstract flavors coffehouse (america, dear & others) april 26th - cafe 52, new brunswick, nj - america, dear * dave fischoff * damien jurado february 17th- mermaid lounge - new orleans, la - america, dear * james hall * strawberry presents * register 1998 november 21st - demerest hall, new brunswick, nj - america, dear * antarctica * versus november 3rd - st. marks bar - new york city - ned norland (america, dear) * josh bloom * lawrence lui (dominions) *photos by bob, taken during the march 2003 show