independent solo album

Roland recruited keyboard player and backing vocalist Christopher Dykes, drummer Tony Caporale, and bassist Skip Godwin to play live in clubs and showcase for A&R personnel from various record companies. At this time the group was simply known as Ed-E. They played several local shows, played a part in a CBS Movie of the Week , and were guests on the local Atlanta television program Music Peachtree Style (where local Atlanta-based artists were interviewed and profiled). That initial version of the Ed-E band dissolved in the mid-to-late 1980s due to incompatible musical tastes among other differences. Roland then formed the band Marching Two-Step which included vocalist Michele Rhea Caplinger, drummer Shane Evans , bassist Godwin (from Roland’s previous band), and keyboardist Matt Serletic . Although the band didn’t release any official material, they played in various clubs and also opened for The Psychedelic Furs at one point. They then disbanded after not finding success, and Roland subsequently released an independent solo album entitled Ed-E Roland in 1991. Overall, Roland’s early attempts to be signed to a recording contract by a label faced rejections.