Something can be said about going for roots music, as Floord did several years ago when the band reconstituted itself after a shakeup. If you succeed in hitting the core of musical roots, then changing your aim from one genre to another is doable while keeping your basic sound; it might even be seen as a natural progression.

And so it seems with Floord, the prominent Bowling Green band that captured the attention of the area scene as a modern rock band. After they backed away from national touring and lost members, Floord regrouped as a soulful rock band tied to a more basic, fluid type of rock a la Black Crowes or early Rod Stewart. After releasing The Traveling Salvation Show, first as an EP and later as a full-length CD, Floord shifted that sound to where it fit an edgy, barely-country rock with the same open, fluid vibe. Lead vocalist Josh Mitcham described it as letting the music go where it needed to go.

It’s worked out nicely so far for Floord. The band has opened for Big & Rich, the Kentucky Headhunters, and Mark Wills; on March 8 Floord will play Lexington with Little Big Town and Carolina Rain. Last September, Floord opened for Joe Diffie and Erica Jo at the National Corvette Museum Amphitheater. They play an industry showcase March 6 at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville which has potential to garner more music business interest in the band.

“We’re in the summer of our lives,” Mitcham told the Amplifier, referring to the band members as most are approaching their thirties. As such, the band has been moving toward what’s comfortable and/or natural for them. Josh stated that while Floord still has a rock-n-roll attitude, the sound is much more country n “We’re not really rock-n-rollers, just a bunch of country boys,” said Mitcham. They’ve dropped some songs live that felt forced, that didn’t come as easy n “not doing the Chris Robinson thing,” Mitcham chuckled, while still sounding soulful and “with a more country leaning.”

Floord consists of Josh Mitcham (vocals), Chad Moseley (lead guitar), Donny Alvey (rhythm guitar), and David Rich (bass). There’s also the addition of Shawn Whitely (fiddle) and veteran Bowling Green musician Jason Gregory (drums).

Mitcham termed Floord’s place in music as “in between genres n there isn’t really a southern rock genre anymore.” Floord’s sound aims for the folks that get the attitude of rock, the essence of country, and the longing emotions of both. The fiddle works with the overall sound on songs like “Half of Nuthin’” n Mitcham termed it a “natural progression” to add Whitely’s fiddle because “we have a real rootsy sound; the fiddle fit in nice.”

Being unforced seems to be an important element in what Floord is doing now. Floord seems to have found what they want and what works musically for them; Mitcham emphasized a maturity in viewpoint with respect to how the band came to the more natural sound they have going.

Several major labels attended Floord’s previous industry showcase a year ago; twice as many labels have been invited for the showcase March 6 at 3rd & Lindsley. Mitcham told of how Floord has gotten producer interest, and their management company RLM/Mission Management has more credibility now since they handle Little Big Town. According to Mitcham, success would mean a whole lot to the band members who’ve come and gone, “just to prove that somebody from where we’re from could do that, showing that it could be done.”

In addition to the industry showcase March 6 at 3rd & Lindsley, Floord plays a show at the Singletary Center for the Arts in Lexington, opening for Little Big Town and Carolina Rain. They’ll be in Bowling Green on St. Patrick’s Day at Tidballs, then it’s up the Natcher Parkway to Owensboro March 30-31 for two nights at the Boiler Room. Keeping up with the band can be done at www.myspace.com/floord