Bio's
SML Stacie LuPardus
Music has always been a big part of my life. I started singing as a little girl, but never realized how far I would end up taking it. When I started writing, it really opened up a whole new world for me. I can remember a gig in Wichita KS at the Cessna stadium. There was about 3000 people there. I went on and as I was doing my show I could hear the people clapping and see them dancing and singing and having such an awesome time. I knew right there and then that this was what I was supposed to do for the rest of my life. There is nothing like the feeling of having a great show. The adrenaline rush is amazing. I am excited about my first album (A Thousand No's) I really put a lot of work into it. To see it come to life has been my dream. I thank God for giving me this desire of my heart and I plan on taking it to the fullest.
TID BITS
Full Name-Stacie Michele LuPardus
Birthday-November 8
High School-Independence
College-Coffeyvile Community CCC
Degree-Associates
Hobbies-Scuba Diving, Tennis, Hot Glue Gun
First Car-Pinto
Musical Influences-Patsy Cline, PRINCE, Celine Deon, Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey
FAVORITES
Color-Orange
Movie-It's A Wonderful Life
Actor-JOHN TRAVOLTA
Actress-Jodi Foster
Song-I LOVE ALL MUSIC
Dessert-ALL OF THEM
Food-Mexican
Sports-Football, Scuba Diving, Tennis, Dodge Ball
EQUIPMENT
Sure Beta 58 microphone
Mark Gray - drums
Mark was born in Fairbanks, Alaska to a butcher and a bookkepper on July 27th. His early drumming influences were the Argonne Rebels drum and bugle corps from Great Bend, Kansas, and some guy named Mickey he heard drum at the Sugar Shack in Hoisington, Kansas.
Marks first band was "The Alaskan Sunburn" from Overland Park, Kansas in 1968. Mark is viewed by other musicians in the Independence, Kansas area as one of the "Old Hands". He has been playing local cover bands since 1975. Bodaz, Borderline, Flat on the Floor and Salty Dog just to name a few. Mark says he enjoys working with Stacie. Listening to her grow by adding different vocal styles to her abilities while being free to exercise his own creativity on her orginal tunes is a real treat.
EQUIPMENT
Drum Kit: A modified 1969 Ludwig Super Classic with vintage Zildjian cymbals all aorund. He prefers a Ludwig Speed King Bass pedal.
Hobbies: Canoeing, Home Brewing, Motorcycling, Scuba Diving
Jerry Botts - Bass Player
BORN INTO THE MUSICAL BOTTS FAMILY, MUSIC HAS BEEN PART OF HIS LIFE FROM THE START. HIS FIRST CONCERT WAS AT THE AGE OF FIVE, AND HE HAS BEEN PERFORMING EVER SINCE. THE BASS IS HIS INSTRUMENT OF CHOICE, BECAUSE IT INCORPORATES BOTH "TIME AND MUSIC". “I LIKE THE BASS BECAUSE IT IS PART OF WHAT DRIVES THE MUSIC; IT KEEPS THE LIFE IN THE MUSIC".
JERRY IS KNOWN AS THE "BASS PLAYERS BASS PLAYER" HE HAS PLAYED BEHIND SUCH GREATS AS CLARENCE GATEMOUTH BROWN, PRIDE OF DEL RIO BAND, AND HAD THE PREMIER BAND IN THE MIDWEST FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS KNOWN AS "BORDERLINE".
"MUSIC IS IN MY BONES AND I AM REAL EXCITED TO GET TO PLAY MUSIC BEHIND MY DAUGHTER STACIE, IT’S THE BEST."
EQUIPMENT: Five String Music Man, Mesa Boogie Head.
HOBBIES: Golf, Golf and more Golf.
Derrick Conner - Lead Guitar
A self- taught musician from the age of 8, Franklin, Tenn. native Derrick Conner has been making music for most of his life. A sideman by choice, Derrick started playing clubs in and around Nashville at the age of 15. He joined the award-winning Christian/Country band "The Fox Brothers" touring with them for seven years. As a musician, Derrick could be found in various studios in Nashville recording independent albums, song demos, jamming with his heroes, or helping a new artist find an individual sound.
T.V. appearances with the Fox brothers include, Grand Ole Opry Live, Nashville Now, Crook & Chase, Music City News Awards, CCMA Awards, Live PBS Des Moines Concert, and various state and local programming.
Derrick's songwriting includes two #1 Chrisitian-Country singles Cradle of Love(8weeks), Turn My Life Around (16 weeks and nominated for Song of the Year. Derrick plays 7 instruments and after an eight year hiatus is excited to play lead guitar for Stacie.