The Local is the New York based song-writing team of Tim Champeaux (vocals) and Jon Cowherd (piano, vocals, producer). Tim and Jon met in New Orleans, and while living there Cowherd hooked up with drummer Brian Blade and they formed The Brian Blade Fellowship. He also worked with Daniel Lanois and Joni Mitchell, just to name a few. Champeaux, on the other hand, had moved to Brooklyn NY and was slugging it out with the Toasters, the Brand New Heavies, and local favorites The Second Step. When Cowherd left New Orleans and landed in NYC for good, the duo began writing songs together; Champeaux writing the lyrics, Cowherd writing the music. It soon became evident that it was time to record. They recorded their debut album "Just Show Up." and began establishing themselves as a vibrant and formidable song-writing team.
After hearing the single "Cross-Country" for the first time, one record company exec. dubbed their sound "Urban Americana". Champeaux and Cowherd decided that the best way to document their emerging sound was to enlist the help of their favorite New York musicians and form a band: The Local. Lee Alexander on bass (Norah Jones), Dave Berger on drums (Erin McKweon), Caleb Sherman on organ (KBC All-Stars) and Pete Smith (The Flying Neutrinos) formed the core unit. Add a few guest stars like Goffrey Moore (Jonatha Brooke), John Gros (Papa Grows Funk) and Ann Cowherd, and you have the debut CD, "Just Show Up" A sold-out CD release party at lower east side landmark club The Living Room, and The Local had found their audience.