Artist description Lyric-based rock & roll with a dash o' country for good measure...Singer/songwriter/guitarist Alex Lynne takes a simple and direct approach to songwriting with clever lyrics and rich, gimmick-less vocals. Drummer Eric Starr draws from a highly schooled and diverse background of jazz, classical and rock music. Guitarist Jim Whitford brings country-tinged roots-rock flavoring while bassist Kent Weber supplies a solid rock & roll foundation. After an "involuntary vacation" of sorts, Summer, 2001 sees the band back in the saddle, new members and new songs in tow.

Music Style Rock with pop, country and folk influences

Musical Influences Jackson Browne, The Eagles, Aimee Mann, Neil Finn/Crowded House, Elvis Costello, Freedy Johnston, Steve Earle, Shawn Colvin, Sheryl Crow, Heart, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris

Artist History The band in its original lineup was formed in the fall of 1999. Each band member had long been performing either solo or with other top bands such as the tails, The Pine Dogs, The Steam Donkeys and Dollywatchers. The band cleaned up at the 1999 Artvoice Awards, bringing home awards for Outstanding Female Vocalist (Lynne), Outstanding Drummer (Starr), Outstanding Bassist (Weber) and a nomination for Outstanding "Miscellaneous" Instrument (Whitford, for pedal steel guitar). Nelson Starr (brother of Eric and part-time Lynne bandmate) took home the prize for Outstanding Male Vocalist for his work as frontman with the tails. The band has undergone some lineup changes and is now comprised of Alex Lynne, Jim Whitford, Jim Celeste (Pine Dogs, Outlyers, Jim Whitford's Real Beat Band) on drums and Frank Quebral (Steam Donkeys) on bass.

Group Members Alex Lynne, Jim Whitford, Jim Celeste, Frank Quebral

Instruments Electric, acoustic, pedal and lap steel guitars, piano, bass, drums & percussion

Press Reviews "Singer Lynne is a very effective songwriter and performer...If there were any justice, Lynne would be signed to a record contract ASAP." (Geraud MacTaggart, Buffalo News) *** "She is one of the most significant artists on the horizon now. She has the potential to make big noise. She's a great singer with great delivery. It's always a revelation for me to hear her songs. She writes wonderfully succinct folk-pop songs." (Michael Meldrum) *** "...a great singer/songwriter with a dynamic stage presence..." (Jim Landau) *** "(Lynne) certainly has a smooth touch and a nice lyrical sense. Her vocals are clean and laid-back..." (Toni Ruberto, Buffalo News) *** "The Alex Lynne Band...hit the stage like the stylish, all-star juggernaut they are...Thought provoking and great to get drunk to, this band." (Brett Essler, Buffalo Beat) *** "...quite enjoyable in a country rock format where the songs themselves...and the country flavor weren't buried by the rock side but supplemented." (Kevin Hosey, Nightlife) *** "Sing-songy melodies and tasteful arrangements are exactly what the (grown-up) kids long for these days (just ask Shawn Colvin)...Buffalo, I've long thought, is in need of more literate songsmiths and less bombastic post-metal, and Ms. Lynne is the former." (Brett Essler, Buffalo Beat) *** "...a polished vocal style and...engaging original songs..." (Jim Santella, Buffalo News) *** "...there is enough sheer talent to carry her much further..." (Geraud MacTaggart, Buffalo News) *** "There are few more elemental pairings in music than performer and guitar; in Western New York, we have several part- or full-time acoustic performers using their voices and guitars to deliver full, complete music. These include Ani DiFranco, expatriate Peter Case, Jim Whitford and Alex Lynne (solo and as a duo), Michael Meldrum and the Buffalo Song Project, Alison Pipitone, Michel Weber and Buck Quigley." (Kevin Hosey, Blue Dog Press) *** "I also caught Whitford and Lynne performing their acoustic duo a few times, and their interplay - vocally, instrumentally and in terms of their sense of humor - translates into fine versions of their songs, as well as a few choice covers. " (Kevin Hosey, Blue Dog Press) *** And here's an oddball little press clipping, for those o' you who like that sorta thing: "Wandering a Crescent Avenue block sale, we met rock singer Alex Lynne, running the cash box at her mom's house. Hmmm. Those must have been Lynne's boots, on the table marked 'Free.' If we picked them up, would her talent rub off on us?" (Mary Kunz, Buffalo News)

Location Buffalo, New York - USA

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