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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