FRIENDS OF VLP

Billy Blaze

Born in Louisiana and living in Texas most of his life, it's no surprise that many have called his music "Texas-style". It's hard to put all of his music into a single genre, probably because he has always loved all kinds of music, but most of his music would fit neatly into folk, Americana, rock, country or blues genres.

If you have not yet listened to any of Billy's songs, you can feel the passion of his convictions with every word he sings. 

Billy Blaze has performed around the DFW area for over many years, and has had the pleasure of performing with many fine musicians. He has been written up in several local newspapers as well as The Associated Press for his music works within the Freedom Movement. He played the Nations largest Tea Party event in 2010 at Greenville,SC. for aprox. 10,000 people and was invited back to play the Presidential Debates on May 5th of 2011 where he performed for 5 presidential candidates and a large audience.

His guitar was signed by his favorite candidate Dr. Ron Paul.

Billy has played all over Texas, and the southeastern United States, and usually can be persuaded to travel and share his music.

Vandell Andrew

Hailing from the "Birthplace of Jazz" New Orleans, Vandell Andrew is a part of the new generation of the jazz genre. With two commercially released albums, FIVE Billboard Top 25 singles, a #1 Ranking on Billboard's Smooth Jazz Chart and a 2014 Soul Train Award Nomination for "Best Contemporary Jazz Performance", Vandell is no stranger to success in the music industry.

"Turn It Up" (2014), which featured the Soul Train Award Nominated, Billboard #1 Smash Hit "Let's Ride" was Vandell's introduction to the world as a world class artist and musician. Since the release of "Turn It Up" Vandell has been afforded the opportunity to play venues and festivals around the world, such as the Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival and the Legendary Ronnie Scott's in London,UK. 

Vandell has been honored to open for and share the stage with Kirk Whalum, Paul Brown, Peter White, Rick Braun, Bobby Lyle, Marion Meadows and many others.

Landa Morgan

Hometown, where were you born, raised?
Born in Junction City, Kansas. Raised in small town of Oak Cliff in Dallas, TX

Education:
Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts (The Arts Magnet) This school has produced many phenomenal musicians
such as Grammy-Award Winning Artist Norah Jones, Roy Hargrove, Erykah Badu, and member of the triple-platinum gospel group "God's Property ft. Kirk Franklin".

Information about present band:
Began playing with VLP as of Spring 2009 as keyboardist. Was initially introduced to produce several songs from Mr. Lujan himself before joining the band as a keyboardist.

Musical background/influences:
I grew up listening to all kinds of music from 80's pop to straight-ahead jazz, to 60's rock and 70's funk/soul. My musical influences are:
Prince, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Chick Corea, Art Tatum, Toto, Mint Condition, Lenny Kravitz, Kirk Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Stokley Williams, The Doobie Brothers, Brian McKnight, Morris Hayes, Earth Wind & Fire, Ella Fitzgerald, Manhattan Transfer

Instruments played:
Keyboards/Piano/Synthesizers/Background Vox

Quote:
I believe that I bring the funky side of groove to VLP, along with the bells & whistles that give the music color.