Ambush (band)

The original line-up (from 1993 to 1999) consisted of Skip Layton (drums), Jef Leeson (bass guitar and lead vocals) and Mark McDonell (guitar and vocals).[1] They met while working as the backup band for Ottawa-area singer Dennis Whitty,[2] and derived the name Ambush from the name of Whitty's backing band, 'Bushwacker'.

The original line-up recorded three cover albums: On Stage in 1993, Hard to Say No in 1994, and Kickin' Up a Fuss in 1995. All were produced by singer Leeson and released on his independent label Chancellor Music.[3] Through 1996, they recorded their first CD of original music in Nashville, with producer-writer Cyril Rawson.[4] The CD, Ambush, yielded modest regional hits with "Since She Got Back From Texas"[5] and "Girls Like That".[6] In 1997, a 3-track CD featuring the songs "Let's Go Crazy Girl",[7] "Since She Got Back From Texas" and "Don't Let It Hit You on the Way Out"[8] (all originally from their 1996 debut CD) was released, which included new vocals and remixes by Chad Irschick at Inception Sound Studios in Toronto.[9]

Leeson left the band in November 1999 to pursue a solo career.[10] He was replaced by Glenn Desjardine who, in November 2001, was replaced by Riq Turner. Riq departed in 2014, and was replaced by Kris Lafontaine. Skip Layton departed in October 2005; he was replaced by Jim Wright. Wright left the band in October 2011; he was replaced by Tom VanCoughnett. VanCoughnett departed in 2015; Dan Killen joined the band as a touring/session member until 2016, when he was replaced by Danny Derue.

In 2006 Ambush won the CMT reality series Plucked.[11] They shot videos for their songs "This Could Be The Night" and "In This Room" during the series.[12][13]

In 2006, the band released a studio album entitled I Wanna Go Home With You.[14] This album included singles such as "This Could Be The Night", "Too Hot For Words" and "Anything To Rock You". At the 2007 CCMA Awards, the band received a nomination for Group of the Year.[15] They received the same nomination in 2008.[16] At the latter awards, the "In This Room" video was nominated as Video of the Year.[17]

In 2007 and 2008, two live albums were released and, in 2009, a second studio album with the title Ambush was released. As of 2021, the band remain active.

• Champions of the CMT reality series Plucked (2006)

• Ambush Official Site
• Ambush at MySpace
• Ambush at facebook