The group caught the attention of executives at DreamWorks Records, who signed the group to a record deal in 2000. Emerson Drive's debut American single, "I Should Be Sleeping", was released in November 2001. The song went on to become a top five hit for the group on the "Billboard" Hot Country Single & Tracks chart in 2002, peaking at No. 4. "I Should Be Sleeping" also cracked the top 40 on the "Billboard" Hot 100, peaking at No. 35. Emerson Drive's debut album was originally scheduled to be released in January 2002, but was delayed when DreamWorks executives found two new songs and brought in singer-songwriter Richard Marx to produce. The album was eventually released in May 2002. The album debuted at No. 13 on the "Billboard" Top Country Albums chart and No. 108 on the "Billboard" 200. The album's second single, "Fall into Me", one of the two new songs Marx produced, was issued in late 2002 and peaked at No. 3 on the "Billboard" Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and No. 34 on the "Billboard" Hot 100.