When Jason Ross, lead singer of the rock band Seven Mary Three, wrote his first song he never imagined that in a few years his music would be loved my millions. Ross, a 25 year-old Florida native, graduated from the College of William and Mary as an English major which is where he wrote most of his lyrics and music for his band's debut album, American Standard. Ross and his band, after putting several albums under their belt, hope to keep making music and reaching as many people as they can.

The story begins in 1992 when Ross met Jason Pollock while attending William and Mary. The pair became good friends and started playing as an acoustic act around town. Shortly after they invited Giti Khalsa and Casey Daniel to join the act and then the band Seven Mary Three was born.

"We played many shows, from clubs to coffeehouses all over the southeast. Slowly our name became know to the locals," says Ross. After playing several shows in Orlando, the band decided to move and call Orlando their new home. The band then recorded an independent album that they paid for themselves call "CHURN" which they later sold out of all 5,000 copies. After their single "Cumbersome" received heavy play at a local radio station, the band was signed to Mammoth Records.

The band recorded their debut album called "American Standard" and a two-year tour began. "The first time we went on the road was in a van, it was the best time due to everything being new and the new places and experiences." says Ross.

Now after recording and touring for their latest album, RockCrown, the band is currently working on a new album titled Gather Round which will be released in July. Ross still loves the music and is very excited about the new album. When asked about the new material he stated that the band was very comfortable with the new direction that they and the music are heading. The band's inspiration for the new music has been the life they have lived on the road over the last few years.

Ross and company seems very happy with the new material. "We are very comfortable with the new stuff. True fans like the direction we are going in. You don't write songs for the radio, you write them for yourself and hope that people like them."

And that's what people are doing, liking the music. Despite a very poor response in sales to RockCrown, the band's true fans keep the band going. Sold out shows, as well as many visits to the bands official internet page has proved that true 7M3 fans will never diminish.

When it comes to negative responses to the music, the band just ignores them and thanks the ones who give positive feedback. "There are a lot of people who really love our music and a lot of people who would love to see its demise," says Ross, "that's just the nature of everything." "A lot of people don't get it till they see us live." This seems true from the many sold-out shows the band has done. Combining their music and a cover of another band's song here and there provides the fans with a live show that is 'worth their money.'

Ross's raspy voice and stage manner brings their music up to a level that is filled with emotion and intimacy. The mind of Ross on stage, according to him, is filled with many thoughts of the daily life. "Most of the time I am concentrating on remembering the lyrics. Sometimes someone is singing along and that will catch my eye and that will shift my attention," Ross said. "If there is a moment in the show that fills like a lull, its because my mind has been sidetracked, sometimes the daily events get caught up in the show."

Crowd response is something that Ross says he lives for. "When people are singing along, that's the real reason that we do this!" says Ross. The only thing that does bother Ross about live shows is when people yells out the name of another song that they want to hear while he is singing. "That kinda pisses me off, " says Ross.

Having your life turn from being a normal college kid to the leader of a well-established rock band would seem to have a major impact on your life. Ross admits to a lot of changes, but he says he is still the same Jason Ross his parents and friends know. "My life hasn't changed that much," Ross said. "All the steps in my life have been trying to maintain that. I don't feel my life has changed that much, but it has broadened my attitude about listening to different types of new music."

Ross also admits to realizing his position in the rock and roll era.

"There has been a few times I have sat back and thought about what I am doing, like when you see a sun rise or mountain range, you are like 'holy shit, I can't believe that this is happening to me." Ross said. Although the band's success is overwhelming he says that one must take it day by day because 'there is no telling where this life will lead you.'

The band's position in music will probably be present for many years, but Ross sees himself making music or involved in the music business for the rest of his life. "I don't think of it as terms of when 7M3 ends," says Ross. "I think the band will continue it's path and we will branch out and do other projects as well." He shows interest in producing, but states that he is too busy too get involved and dedicate his time away from 7M3.

How does Ross see his own music he writes? "I listen to our records till they are released then I don't listen to them anymore," Ross said. "As far as new songs we are working on I'll listen to the over and over until we record them, to figure out lyrics and stuff."

No matter how successful a band can be parents will always have some problem, big or small, with making music. "My parents like it," Ross said. "They still have a hard time believing that it's a life."

With a July release set for the new album, Ross and his band mates have a lot of wishes to look forward to in the future. Producing, acoustic performances and creating new music are just a few things that 7M3 have on their agenda. Ross also shows a desire to tour with past music heroes. "I would love to tour with the Black Crows, Neil Young, or Tom Petty," says Ross. "I'm still a big fan of all the bands that's influenced our music."

It is clear that Seven Mary Three's music will be a part of rock and roll's future as an art. For themselves, Ross and his band will continue to wear their 'rockcrowns' proudly. "It's about indistinguishing between the expectation of what rock and roll will provide for you and the realities that it really does provide," Ross said. "And the final result being you get out of it what you put into it."