During the 2005, Canadian Idol contest, Leitao came in ninth, Fleury eighth and LeBlanc fifth.
The three were brought together by producer and Idol accompanist Mark Lalama, at the suggestion of his brother Paul.[2] The band's name was chosen because the group "braids" elements from across the country into one.[3]
Braided began recording in Lalama's studio at his farmhouse in
Fenwick, Ontario.[3][4][5] The single "A Little Bit Closer" was released in June 2006.[3] Their debut album, Casey, Ashley and Amber, was released in August.[6] Figure skater
Elvis Stojko sang a duet with Leitao on the track "Before You".[7][8][9] The group toured during 2006–07 to promote the album.[10][11]
Critical reception
Bob Mersereau, writing in the Telegraph-Journal, gave them a mixed review, writing that producer and songwriter Mark Lalama "gives them some cool 'girl-group' '60s material which is bright and fun. But there's also some schmaltz, ballad material that Celine Dion would pass on."[12]
^Klinkenberg, Marty (March 11, 2006). "No idling: Nackawic's Casey LeBlanc teams up with former fellow Canadian Idol contestants Amber Fleury and Ashley Leitao to make CD", Telegraph-Journal, p. D1.
^
abcMalchuk, Carlye (July 31, 2006). "Idol finalists, including NBer, releasing CD Tuesday: Casey LeBlanc part of Braided trio", Telegraph-Journal, p. D10.