Love and Theft (duo)

Love and Theft
Love and Theft performing in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Stephen Barker Liles (left) and Eric Gunderson
Background information
Origin	Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Country
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Carolwood/Lyric Street RCA Nashville Hate & Purchase
Associated acts	Martina McBride Robert Ellis Orrall
Website	Official website
Members	Eric Gunderson Stephen Barker Liles
Past members	Brian Bandas

Love and Theft is an American country music duo composed of Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson, both of whom sing lead vocals and play guitar. They originally formed as a trio in 2006 in Nashville, Tennessee, along with Brian Bandas (who also sang lead and played guitar). Signed to Lyric Street Records subsidiary Carolwood Records in 2009, Love and Theft made their chart debut in early 2009 with the single "Runaway," which reached the Top 10 on Billboard Hot Country Songs. The band's debut album, World Wide Open, was released on August 25, 2009.

In 2011, Love and Theft moved to RCA Records Nashville and released the single "Angel Eyes", which became their first number 1 single. It and the Top 40 singles "Runnin' Out of Air" and "If You Ever Get Lonely" all appear on their second, self-titled album.

Musical career

Love and Theft was formed in 2006 by Brian Bandas, Stephen Barker Liles, and Eric Gunderson, all three of whom alternated on lead vocals. After performing before ASCAP executives, they were recommended to an A&R executive for Lyric Street Records, who signed them to Lyric Street's sister label Carolwood Records in 2009.^[1] Just prior, they were also signed as an opening act for Taylor Swift's 2008 tour. Liles is the subject of "Hey Stephen" which appears on Swift's 2008 album Fearless.^[2] He also co-wrote the track "Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong" on Martina McBride's 2009 album Shine. "Kissin' in Cars," which was featured on the soundtrack for the film Country Strong, was also co-written by Liles.

Love and Theft made their first Grand Ole Opry performance on March 28, 2009,^[3] shortly before the release of the debut single "Runaway." This song was written by Stephen Barker Liles, Canaan Smith, and Rob Blackledge of Blackjack Billy, and is included on the band's debut album, World Wide Open. The album entered at No. 10 on the Country chart, selling 12,500 copies in its first week.^[4] In addition, Love and Theft recorded a video for "Don't Wake Me," another cut from the album.^[5] "Runaway" peaked at number 10 on the country chart in November 2009, shortly before Carolwood was consolidated with Lyric Street.^[6] "Dancing in Circles" was released as the album's second single in December 2009, and reached a peak of number 25 in March 2010. On April 14, Disney Music Group announced the closure of Lyric Street Records, leaving Love and Theft without a record deal.^[7]

Love and Theft became a duo in 2011 when founding member Brian Bandas left the band.^[8] The remaining two members then signed with RCA Nashville in 2011.^[9] "Angel Eyes" was digitally released on November 8, 2011 and released to radio six days later. In August 2012, "Angel Eyes" became Love and Theft's first Number One single on the Hot Country Songs chart. It was the lead single from their self-titled album, which was released via RCA on July 24, 2012.^[10] The album's second single, "Runnin' Out of Air," was released to country radio on November 5, 2012. The album's third single, "If You Ever Get Lonely," was released to country radio on June 3, 2013.

The duo released "Night That You'll Never Forget" in early 2014 as the lead single to an upcoming third album in October 2014 Love And Theft parted ways with Sony Music Nashville. They self-released "Whiskey on My Breath" via Hate & Purchase Music later in the year,^[11] and their third studio album, also titled Whiskey on My Breath, was released on February 10, 2015.

Personal lives

Gunderson married Emily Hagar in 2010.^[12] The couple had their first baby on March 10, 2013,^[13] a boy named Camden William. Stephen Barker Liles got engaged to Jenna Michelle Kennedy on May 28, 2013. On Dec 2, 2013 they welcomed son Jett Barker Liles. Liles and Kennedy married Aug 24, 2014.^{[14][15][16][17]}

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

Music videos

Awards and Nominations

References

External links

• Official website