Lisa LaRue
photo by David Mark Pearce

She began playing keyboards as a small child, her grandmother noticing she was playing "These Boots are Made for Walkin'" the Nancy Sinatra hit, on her toy Magnus Chord organ. Later sought out by shopping malls and department malls as a young girl, she started writing her own songs and designing her own 'album covers.' This led and inspired her for her future careers, which also include graphic design.

Not only a fan of progressive music such as Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Yes, Genesis, and others, the hometown boys Kansas played a big part in her influential years, as well.

Before setting out for a record contract, she collaborated with Gilli Smyth of "Gong" on a self-released 'tape' titled "Dreamscapes." "Dreamscapes" was released by the U.S.-arm of Voiceprint, and soon after, she began label shopping for a longer-lasting deal.

A composer and keyboardist, LaRue became the first female artist signed to the Sound of America Records label (SOAR) Natural Visions sublabel. Her debut release was titled "Beloved Tribal Women," produced by Will Alexander (keyboard tech to Keith Emerson, Herbie Hancock, and many other great keyboard players). The CD also received accolades for being a first in combining art with music. The CD booklet featured 14 paintings by the most awarded female Native American artist in the world, Joan Hill. The idea was, "A picture paints a thousand words," so naturally, the music was instrumental, letting the art inspire the listener. Since, she has released "Children's Songs in the Cherokee Language," "That Ol' Sofkee Spoon," "Ama," "Transformation 2012," and most recently, "World Class" released as Lisa LaRue Project 2K9.

Lisa LaRue grew up in Topeka, Kansas, but now resides in her native Oklahoma. She is a tribal member of the federally-recognized United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.  She is the 2008 Oklahoma Music Awards' "Native American Artist of the Year," and a 2008 nominee for the Hollywood Music Awards' "Instrumental" category.

She is currently working on new tracks with her band, "2KX" and with the David Mark Pearce band, "Strangeang3ls."



   David Mark Pearce
photo by Lisa LaRue

A native of Penzance (Cornwall, UK), David Mark Pearce began playing the guitar in earnest at the age of 15 after first learning to play the drums. His first experience as part of a band came at 18, followed by several more until he left to attend the London College of Music and Media. Upon completion, he received a diploma in Music Technology, and began his career as a much sought after engineer and producer. His band affiliations include the UK melodic indie band Union Jane and the Cornwall based folk rock group Naked Feet. After leaving this group, and a period of reflection, the opportunity which changed his musical career forever presented itself one day at work in 2002.

When one of his Allen and Heath colleagues, who was a friend of keyboardist Oliver Wakeman, asked Pearce to listen to some of Wakeman’s tunes, he was impressed. He jokingly inquired as to whether Wakeman needed a guitarist, to which the answer was a surprising yes. After submitting his own work, in addition to several ideas he had for the band, he was hired. The first project that he and Wakeman worked on was the Anam Cara album mix, upon which he also contributed acoustic guitar support.[1]

It was the first of many projects with Oliver and the band; other projects have included: mixing and electric/acoustic guitar support for the CD single 'The View from Here'; mixing Oliver's last commissioned album 'Angels' and the relaxation albums 'Purification by Sound' and ‘Enlightenment and Inspiration’; as well as electric guitar support on the OWB’s latest release, ‘Mother’s Ruin’.

Since his debut with the band at the Oakwood Center in December, 2002, his association with the band has taken many interesting twists and turns, including support work with Arjen Luccassen’s band ‘Stream of Passion’, appearing at the prestigious Fordhamfest and an appearance with Oliver at one of the UK Classic Rock Society’s acoustic evenings, where he showed off his talent on classical guitar. A big highlight was the 2008 performance and filming of the Coming to Town - Live in Katowice DVD and cd (Metal Mind Productions) at the Wyspianski Theater in Katowice, Poland. Of his live performances it has been stated that Pearce "through his poseur look and attitude stole the show that evening" [2] and that he "often stole the spotlight with a colorful outfit and impressive solos". [3]Another seminal event for Dave was supporting Steve Howe at Oliver and Lisa Wakeman’s wedding reception.[4]

Pearce wrote and recorded his own EP, ‘1997’, which was also included on his debut album 'Pleasure Palace'. More recently, he has been co-producer, sound engineer and provided guitar support to keyboardist Lisa LaRue on her latest album “Lisa LaRue Project 2K9 World Class” (Finger Woven Records), set for release in November 2009. He also co-wrote the song 'There Are No Words' with LaRue for the project. His own tune on the album, 'Tell Me Why', will also be included on his own melodic rock album entitled “Strangeang3ls,” (Pleasure Palace Records), set to be released in spring 2010. John Payne will be providing the vocals. It will be available as an EP in November 2009, along with the EP “Shelter Me from the Rain”, released earlier the same year.[5]


  Steve Adams
photo by Brenda Adams

Steve Adams knew he wanted to play guitar at the tender age of seven after hearing a visiting Classical guitarist perform at his school. His first guitar was an electric guitar literally purchased at a garage sale. After passing through the learning/growing pains of being in teen bands playing the likes of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin, Steve decided that he wanted to learn the art of finger style guitar.

Realizing his passion, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Classical guitar performance from Lewis & Clark College. This launched his career in teaching and performing throughout the Pacific Northwest.

After years of studying Classical and Jazz, Steve began to yearn for those days of Rock, revisiting the work of artists such as YES, ELP, and Genesis. Soon he began writing his own material under the artist name ARZ. Three albums have been released with the fourth enlisting drummer Merrill Hale. Their latest album, Turn of the Tide, will soon be released. Steve has also appeared on Tina S. Marie’s album Messages and assisted with its recording and production.

Steve appears on Lisa LaRue’s Project 2K9 adding electric and acoustic textures.

John Payne
photo by Merriewells, used with permission

Vocalist/bassist John Payne fronted ASIA for 14 years replacing John Wetton in 1992. 8 studio albums and 6 live albums followed including extensive world touring with the band. In 2006, John formed "ASIA Featuring John Payne" and is performing shows with his current lineup. Previous to ASIA, John sang with Roger Daltrey, CCCP, ELO Part 2 and more recently GPS plus being chosen as the Parson in Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds stadium tour.  He appears on the Lisa LaRue album "Transformation 2012" as well as Lisa LaRue Project 2K9, "World Class."


Special Guest . . .

  Michael Alvarez

Mike Alvarez picked up the cello in grade school after deciding the violin was not for him. Although he's pretty good on guitar, bass, keyboards and percussion, the cello has remained his main musical love over the years. He has recently taken it out to the Southern California music scene and is a sought-after performer onstage and in the studio. Notable collaborations have been with Erik Norlander & Lana Lane, Don Schiff, Bridget Brigitte, Nima & Merge, Michele Shipp, Rustik Ballyd and Deal By Dusk. He is also a member of the occasional ensemble, Men Of Rock.