Vancouver punk-pop quartet Hedley was led by frontman Jacob Hoggard, who first rose to national prominence as a finalist during the 2003 season of the television talent contest Canadian Idol. Though voted off the series in its penultimate episode, Hoggard proved a major fan favorite, guaranteeing significant media exposure for his subsequent pursuits. In 2005, he formed Hedley with guitarist Dave Rosin, ba**ist Tommy Mac, and drummer Chris Crippin, all of whom previously teamed in the Vancouver band Everything After. Upon generating buzz at the Canadian Music Week 2005 media showcase, Hedley signed a demo deal with Universal Music Canada. After cutting three songs with producer Brian Howes, the label extended an LP deal, and the band's self-titled debut LP followed that fall, generating the radio hits "Trip" and "On My Own." The album quickly went platinum, a third single ("321") was in heavy video rotation on Much Music, and Hedley spent summer 2006 opening for Yellowcard and Matchbook Romance on North American dates. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide