The Mayfield Four

The Mayfield Four was formed in the middle of 1996 in Spokane, Washington, by four childhood friends who shared a love for music and performing. They were Myles Kennedy (lead vocals, lead guitar), Craig Johnson (rhythm guitar) (both formerly of Citizen Swing), Marty Meisner (bass guitar), and Zia Uddin (drums). During the Fall of 1996, the band recorded a demo titled Thirty Two Point Five Hours which quickly caught the attention of numerous music-industry professionals, and a bidding war ensued amongst several prominent record companies, yielding an offer from Epic Records.

Once under contract with Epic, the group released a live EP called Motion in late 1997. In Late-May of the following year they released their first full-length studio album titled Fallout. The album was praised by critics, and the band went on a rigorous, 15-month promotional tour opening for the likes of Creed, Everclear, Fuel, Big Wreck, Stabbing Westward and The Watchmen.

However, the album failed to chart, the tour ended, and the band returned home for a much-needed break. The band also sought new management. It continued as a trio, with Kennedy solely on guitars for a few local festivals throughout the coming year. The three remaining members eventually secluded in Kennedy's basement studio to write and record in preparation for their next album, which was recorded during the fall of 2000.

Their second full-length album, Second Skin, was released in June 2001, and the band went on the road again, this time with Alessandro Cortini on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. Stagnant sales of Second Skin forced the band to end its relationship with Epic in 2002. The band formally split shortly thereafter in order to pursue other interests. Most prominent is Kennedy's participation with Creed members in the band Alter Bridge, for whom he provides guitar and lead vocals. Cortini toured with Nine Inch Nails on keyboards from 2005 onward and collaborated on its latest efforts Ghosts I-IV and The Slip.

Band members

Myles Kennedy - lead vocals, lead guitars (1996 - 2002)
Zia Uddin - drums, percussion (1996 - 2002)
Marty Meisner - bass guitar (1996 - 2002)
Alessandro Cortini - guitars, vocals (2000 - 2002)
Craig Johnson - rhythm guitar (1996 - 1999)