Song of Toledo Top 5: Empire Drift

TOLEDO - After plenty of submissions, then some judging, there are now five finalists left in the "Song of Toledo" contest, sponsored by FOX Toledo and the Toledo Free Press.

The goal is to find the best song to represent the Glass City.

Over the next five weeks, FOX Toledo will be featuring the top five bands, culminating with a winner being selected May 20.

Empire Drift is one of the top five finalists with their song, "A Good Place to Call Home" - a shout out to all things Toledo.

"Part of the song just goes through a list of things to do," said Rick Shugarman, guitarist. "We list Bunkers, Barry's Bagels, The Blarney, The Beirut, have a ball at the Mud Hens or lights at the zoo."

Empire Drift even has a lyric line about love for U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who represents Northwest Ohio and Ohio's Ninth District.

Band members say their song of Toledo is full of personal experience and positive memories.

"Between having a family here and being raised and having all of your friends and support here, it's a good place to call home," said David Pfenning, guitarist.

What's not to love? Toledo has a big city feel, but it's comfortable.

"You don't have all of the traffic, you aren't waiting 40 minutes to go five miles," Shugarman said.

With all of the positive aspects of the Glass City put into one song, Empire Drift hopes that "A Good Place to Call Home" will make it to the top of the contest.

Even though it didn't take them long to create the lyric, it took years to gather all of the inspiration. Empire Drift hopes it will inspire other Toledoans as well.

"It makes me feel good whenever I see Toledoans being proud of the city and sharing the pride that we feel for it," Shugarman said.