while the rca deal was a huge boost, it also created a new problem for band and kamin: they had no solid band and, thus, had hardly toured and built a fanbase. rather than putting them out on the road and building regional support, fair worked intensely with band and kamin for over two years perfecting the debut album. the calling's first album was recorded from 1999–2001, with sean woolstenhulme (formerly with lifehouse) (rhythm guitar), billy mohler (bass), and nate wood (drums). the calling's first album, "camino palmero", was issued in july 2001 and quickly became a hit due to the strength of its single, "wherever you will go", which was named the no. 1 adult pop song of the decade by "billboard" magazine. the song was featured prominently in the television series "smallville's" first-season episode "metamorphosis". it was also featured in the 2000 film "coyote ugly" with the group performing in the background in the first club scene, and in early trailers in 2001 for the "star trek" prequel series "". in an episode of the cbs television drama "cold case", "frank's best", the song is played at the end of the episode. "camino palmero" ultimately sold more than five million copies worldwide and was certified gold in the united states.