Ross Childress was the original lead guitarist for the rock band Collective Soul from 1994 to 2001.
In September 2006, Childress was asked to perform a charity concert in Atlanta by musician Andrew Adler of the local band The Hot Rods.
Childress asked Bo Bentley (bass) and Thomas Michael (drums) to play with him, and the trio decided to form a band following the positive response of their gig at the charity concert.
On May 25, 2007, the band performed their first concert under the name Starfish and Coffee at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta.
On April 29, 2008, Starfish and Coffee released their self-titled debut studio album.