Vertical Horizon was founded in the early 1990s, but it was seven years before lead singer Matt Scannell’s songs became the radio hits that brought the popular grassroots band to national attention. Vertical Horizon released three albums independently — There and Back Again (1992), Running on Ice (1995), and Live Stages (1997) — and toured extensively before signing with RCA Records in 1998. Their major-label debut, Everything You Want (1999), went on to sell more than two million copies. The title track, “Everything You Want,” captured the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Adult Top 40 charts, and became Billboard’s Most Played Single of 2000. The album garnered further radio attention with the singles, “You’re a God” (#4 on Billboard’s Adult Chart) and “Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning),” the latter of which earned additional acclaim as a top 20 country hit for country star Gary Allan.

Their follow-up album, Go (2003), solidified the band as a no-nonsense pop rock entity. After taking a hiatus to pursue individual interests, Matt began composing the songs that would eventually become Burning the Days (2009), which was released on Vertical Horizon’s independent label, Outfall Records. One of the songs, “Even Now,” was co-written by Scannell and his close friend, Neil Peart, the much-heralded drummer from Rush. Peart played drums on that song as well as two other tracks on the record. Burning the Days was critically acclaimed and produced two Hot AC radio singles, “Save Me from Myself” and “The Lucky One.” Vertical Horizon continued releasing music with Echoes from the Underground (2013), titled after a lyric from a song on the album, "Evermore," and The Lost Mile (2018).