Due West has an interesting formula for fame.
"We kind of made a commitment for good, bad or otherwise to write songs and perform songs that put out the message we want," said Matt Lopez, a native of Sheridan, Wyo., who makes up the country trio with Brad Hull and Tim Gates.
Gates, who hails from Richfield, says there are risks the band takes with some of its lyrics and messages in a world where songs about drinking and partying are most popular.
"Thankfully, a lot of people love what we do," he said.
The band is known for its deep, positive messages. Its latest hit, "When the Smoke Clears," was described by Lopez as a song "about adultery with a positive spin on it." The song details the importance of not giving in to "the heat of the moment."
The music video, which Thatcher, Ariz., native Hull referred to as "one of the coolest experiences" the band has ever had, is currently in the top 20 in the Great American Country Top 20 Countdown show.
"They've (the GAC) been very kind to us," Gates said. "A lot of the other (programs) won't play you until you've made a big hit. We were so surprised and honored to make our debut on that chart."
The video for the band's debut single, "I Get That All The Time," reached No. 3 on the GAC countdown. It was also the highest-charting single from a self-released act on the Music Row Country BreakOut chart in 2009.
The band recently signed a record deal with Black River Entertainment.
Highlights of Due West's musical journey include being interviewed by disc jockey legend Jerry House during his last week broadcasting in Nashville before he retired. Hull said it was exciting to be featured among the "heavy hitters" of country music.
"We were passing Keith Urban just as he got off the air," he said.
Another highlight was walking the red carpet at the CMA awards.
"At home, it had always been like sitting down and watching the Super Bowl," Gates said.
Band members try to stick to what they believe in. Fame is not as important as staying true to yourself, Lopez said.
"We may not hit the success that other huge stars hit, but I think to chase that could be a mistake," he said.
"They are what they are," said Jason Deere, a driving force in producing and songwriting for Due West. "They don't pretend to be something else."
Nancy Tunick, the band's manager of two years, says that watching its success is "like seeing the good guys win."
That "good guy" vibe comes with tight three-part harmonies. Due West cites Diamond Rio, Black Hawk and especially Alabama as bands it would like to emulate.
"Good music is good music," Lopez said. "Good harmony is good harmony. Good records are good records."
The musicians came together during a chance meeting and improvised performance at a friend's party where they found an instant chemistry.
"Off stage, on stage, whatever, especially when we're playing together, there's nothing like it," Gates said.
The trio will bring that on-stage chemistry to Utah by way of Springville City Art Days on June 11 and South Jordan's Country Fest on June 17. The band has built a fan base in the state by playing with Deere's Nashville Tribute Band, which has carved out a unique niche of Mormon country music.
Due West knows how passionate its Utah fans are.
"We hope we can get that kind of enthusiasm on a national level," Lopez said.
While the band tours and promotes its single, Hull, Lopez and Gates hope to make it to the Billboard Monitor Chart or land an award at the CMAs. Until then, they'll continue to count themselves lucky and blessed.
"I've been around with them for a long, long time," Deere said. "I honestly think the best is yet to come."
Email: hbowler@desnews.com