•–Bassist Brad Merritt, who co-founded 54•40 with guitarist and vocalist Neil Osborne, has been honoured with fellow band members by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) for their song I Go Blind, which received the most US airplay in 1997 as a result of Hootie and the Blowfish's successful cover version.

54•40 has logged millions of miles around the globe, bringing people their unique brand of music and powerful live performances. Their gold and platinum records include: Since When, Trusted By Millions, Smilin' Buddha Cabaret, Dear Dear, Show Me and Sweeter Things.

And as a true Canadian Rock'n'Roll Road Warrior, Merritt has dedicated himself to a challenge that many musicians know all too well -- finding a decent cup of coffee. "As a service to my peers, I should compile the Great Canadian Coffee Atlas - the best and worst coffee spots from coast to coast," he says.

Invariably, he found the road to the best coffee always led him home to his beloved French press. It also inspired him to create the Decent Coffee Cosy, an insulating wrap-around jacket designed to keep coffee hot in the French press. No longer would expensive home-brewed coffee go waste by getting cold between cups. Solving this cold-coffee conundrum proves once again that necessity truly is the mother of invention.

The newest release from 54•40 titled Yes to Everything is the 11th studio album for the band and marks a 24 year relationship with the band for Merritt.