By Megan Braun

For the Salisbury Post

Ben Bradford originally penned “Lemonade” as a low-key acoustic piece for a songwriting class at Catawba College. When he took his bandmates in Old Sport, however, it “morphed into something completely different,” he said.

A band comprised of four Catawba College students, Old Sport released “Lemonade” as its debut single on Feb. 12.

“I never really thought much of it after writing it for the class, but it kind of stuck with me and I thought I could do something with it. I wanted to make an ensemble piece so I brought it to the guys,” Bradford said. “We all worked together to make it a full piece.”

Formed in the spring of 2015, Old Sport includes Bradford of Poland Springs, Maine, Leith Ali of Charlotte, and Liam Pendergrass and Kyler Brown, both of Salisbury.

All four band members are either popular music or music business majors, and are all members of ADP, the Artist Development Program – a co-curricular student organization that provides opportunities for students to gain career-related experience through weekly talent showcases and other activities.

Dr. David Fish, chairman of the music department at Catawba, said the song “Lemonade” is “distinctive and memorable.”

“All of the band members are musically talented students who are earnest and hard-working in pursuit of their goals. These are exactly the attributes needed for success in music,” he said.

The band members, who have written more than 10 original songs, are currently planning performances and shows off campus in surrounding counties. As far as long term goals, the band members say they are going to just see how it all works out.

“Lemonade” is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Soundcloud.

Old Sport will be headlining a free show on March 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hoke Hall venue on the Catawba College campus. Attendees of the show will receive a free download of “Lemonade.”

To visit the band’s website, go to oldsportnc.wix.com