Diane’s career in music began with a group called Suspect.They had
a progressive sound
and style, covering such artists as Kate Bush, the Eurythmics, and Motels.
In 1995 she joined Red Rain, which won best new country band in WNY at
the Country Music Awards. She performed with her brother Bob Raslawsky
in an acoustic duo called Kinship. In 1999, Diane’s solo performance at
the Tonawanda Women’s Music Festival marked the debut of an impressive
repertoire of original compositions.
Since then, Diane has been nominated in several categories at the Buffalo
Music Awards: Kinship was nominated for “Best Acoustic Duo” and Diane for
“Best Female Vocalist.” Her band won top honors in the “Best Crossover
Blues Band” category. She was named "Best Female Blues Vocalist."
Her musical highlights include performances at “Thursday at the Square”
(opening for Kim Mitchell), The Tralf (sharing the stage with Shemekia
Copeland), and opening slots for Artpark shows featuring The Marshall Tucker
Band, Dave Mason, and .38 Special. A trip to the “Chicago Blues Festival”
gave her a chance to sing with the legendary Larry McCray at Club Legends.
A guest appearance at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas,
prompted festival promoters to invite her to return next year as a featured
performer.
Diane has participated in several benefit shows and compilation recordings
in support of the community. Her original song, "It’s Christmas Time,"
appeared on a CD to benefit the MS
Foundation. She
helped raise money for the Buffalo Performing Arts School of Music, and
participated in
“Stand America,” a CD to benefit the American Red Cross. She recently performed
at a hospital benefit for the Women and Children's Foundation.
Diane' debut CD, Paisley Blues, is now available. Click
Here for more info!
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Tom
Ryan - Drums
Tom
began his music career as the drummer for the very popular group called
Weekend, recently inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. He also
was a member of The Vincent Michaels Band, Watchers, Skin Deep, Win Lose
or Draw, the Soul Providers and SLAM. Tom was awarded "Best Drummer" in
the Buffalo Music Awards three times. He keeps busy as a sought-after studio
drummer for various recording projects. He has shared the stage with such
greats as Fleetwood Mac, Styx, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Sly and the Family Stone,
the Guess Who, Grand Funk Railroad and others. Tom also has played drums
for the Platters, the Belmonts, Godspell, Bobby Sherman and Susan Anton. |
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Greg
Straka - Sax, Midi & Vocals
Greg
has performed professionally for over 20 years. He has performed locally
with various bands/musicians, including Badlands, The Soul Providers, Urban
Renewal,
and
Flipside, and was a member of Nik & the Nice Guys for nearly 10 years,
performing internationally. He has performed in opening acts for The Guess
Who, The
Drifters,
Liza Minnelli, Marshall Tucker Band, and has performed onstage with Chuck
Berry and Clarence Clemons. Greg can be heard on CD's of local artists
Terry
Buchwald
and Tom Sartori. Recently, Greg was the 2004 WNY People’s Choice winner
for “Best Blues Saxophonist”. |
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George
de Valle - Bass & Vocals
George
is a very sought-after musician because of the distinctive grooves he lays
down with his bass guitar. As a member of Cruizin Dueces, George was awarded
Buffalo
Blues
Beat Magazine’s "Muddy Award for Best New Band" in 1998, and the Buffalo
Music Award’s "Best Blues Band" in 1999. George was also the winner of
Buffalo Music Award’s “Best Crossover Blues Band” with the band Urban Renewal.
He is often nominated for "Best Bassist" in the Buffalo Music Awards for
his outstanding bass
playing
in the Blues/R&B category. George is recently known for his outstanding
work with the Soul Providers, who were named "Best R&B Band" at the
2005 Buffalo Music Awards. |
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Rick
Johnston - Guitar & Vocals
Rick's
touring days with such hi-profile “road” bands as Hi-Rize and the Main
Street Singers saw him become a sought-after sideman. He has shared the
stage during
concerts
with a long list of notables over the years, including Eric Burden, Steppenwolf,
Rodney Dangerfield, Eric Johnson, Grass Roots, the Doobie Brothers, and
one 40 minute set with legendary guitarist Les Paul that Rick will remember
for the rest of his life. After touring, he landed in Daytona Beach, where
he was the session guitarist for Seabird Studios. An injury to his hand
in a car accident put his music career on hold for more than 10 years,
and he's now picking up where he left off. |
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