Bio - Lorrie Hayes

FLAT BROKE BLUES BAND MEMBER BIO

Name: Lorrie Hayes
Instrument: Lead Vocals, harmonica

Buy the Flat Broke Blues Band CD at CD Baby!

Started singing at age five. First solo in kindergarten. Born into a musical family. Continued singing through high school and college doing solo work wherever I was needed: church, weddings, community theater.

First band: "Destiny" cover rock band. Met Mike Letts in college. Joined up with him in the group "Generic Band". A short-lived cover band but long time friendship was established. We then started a new group called "Radio Active" this band I was able to keep together for seventeen years. This group over the years had players come and go with a ever changing line-up. Mike left to go to grad school and eventually the group dissolved with the lead guitar player moving on to pursue his musical dreams.

During the years of Radio Active many other musical opportunities arose. Two different tours in Japan, singing for a latin jazz group Combo Caliente, background singer and recording artist for the group Conga Se Menne (Finnish Reggae). Recording for commercial jingles, and opening for many national acts who came to Marquette. Namely, Buddy Guy, James Cotton: Blues, Mike Stern, YellowJackets:Jazz, and getting the opportunity to jam with Billy Branch, Pinetop Perkins , "Big Eyes" Willie Smith and Sugar Blue.

Along with appearing on many friends CDs I also have had the experience of playing most or all of the major stages in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, blues clubs in Detroit, festivals in down state Michigan and Rosa's blues club in Chicago.

And then came the Flat Broke Blues Band. Walt and Mark had been sitting out for the moment between players and jobs in the original Flat Broke when I saw an opportunity. If I could get the gigs maybe we could do a few jobs together. Which is just what happened. Soon the need for an additional player on guitar was felt. I knew Mike and got him aboard. A full time drummer was all that was needed and when I heard Jim I knew we were on to something. From the moment we got together we knew we wanted to do originals and we wanted to record.

All has fallen into place and we have been pursuing our goals ever since. Playing well (in tune and in time) and having fun are one in the same for this group. Continuing live performances and writing new music will be the future.

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