Although the band had been in existence since 2000, 2001 saw the release of their first full-length album, with the first musical contribution from Thomas Daugherty on guitar.

[1] They have drawn stylistic comparisons to The Black Crowes,[2] Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Kinks, and The Beatles.

[4] The only officially released single from The Great American Midrange was the song "Back to Indiana," and the track's music video premiered online in November 2009.

Following their departure from the band Just Visiting in 2000, the Thomas brothers signed a recording contract with EMI-owned Gospel music label Sparrow Records to launch their next endeavor, which they named the Elms after their relatives' coaching house in London, England.

They rapidly began to amass critical praise for their raucous live performances, the unit's tight musical presentation, and for Owen Thomas' mature lyrical content and melodic sensibilities.

[12] In 2004, a sold-out concert appearance in Muncie, IN was filmed as the Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll Tour came to a close.

The song "This Is How the World Will End," written by Owen Thomas, was used by Indianapolis NBC affiliate television station WTHR in 2008–2009 to promote its reporting.

It was announced on March 1, 2010, that The Elms' song "Back to Indiana" would be used as the theme music for the 2010 Big Ten Conference college basketball tournament.

[17] The Elms performed over 900 concerts during the band's lifetime, and was known for premiering new songs live before they'd been made available on official releases.

The band performed at Farm Aid 2008 alongside Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, and others.