Brule & AIRO

BIO: Brule and AIRO

Ocasionally an event occurs of such significance that it forever changes the way you perceive life itself. In November, 1993 such an event occurred for Paul LaRoche. Paul, adopted at birth off the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation, discovered his heritage in 1993 after the death of both adoptive parents. He was reunited on Thanksgiving day 1993 with a brother, sister, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. The discovery of his true heritage has greatly affected Paul's life and those around him. The influence on his career has been monumental. Overwhelmed by the experience, Paul has turned his powerful feelings to humanitarian causes through music. In 1995, out of recognition for his tribe, Paul introduced his recording name as Brulé.

It is Paul's mission to be a cultural role model and use his music to make the world a better place for all relations upon the earth. Paul was selected as a musical ambassador and speaker for the 2000 UN Peace Conference held in The Hague Center for Peace. Brule s annual coast to coast tour has included performances at such venues as the Hollywood premier of Kevin Costner s movie Open Range; Indian Summer in Milwaukee; the Indian Arts Markets in Denver, CO and Arlington,TX; the world renowned Ordway Theater in St. Paul, various Tribal casinos and many additional outdoor festivals and events. Brule s tour also includes powerful full-stage concert productions of 'We the People' and 'Red Nativity' the Holiday show.

Brulé has become one of the top-selling Native American recording artists with more than a million CDs sold worldwide. " Over 1 million CDs sold worldwide " 1999 Outstanding Musical Achievement Award by The First Americans in the Arts " 2002 Group of the Year & Best Instrumental Recording Native American Music Awards (NAMMA) " 2003 Best Instrumental Recording for Night Tree By Nicole with Brule (NAMMA) " 2006 Group of the Year for Tatanka (NAMMA) " 2007 Group of the Year for Silent Star Night & Best New Age Recording for Kinship (NAMMA) " 2007 Hidden Heritage&the Story of Paul LaRoche and was recently named as an AWARD WINNING-FINALIST in the Biography category in the INDIE EXCELLENCE 2007 NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS. " 2008 Group of the Year for Lakota Piano II (NAMMA) " 2009 Group of the Year " 2010 Brulé selected to be featured on ONE NATION Float at the 2011 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.

Appearances: Regis and Kathie Lee * CNN Worldbeat * A&E Biography 2009 Thirteen episodes of the show, Hidden Heritage are introduced on the RFD-TV Network. 2010 Twenty six (26) new episodes of Hidden Heritage are scheduled to air on RFD-TV.

On July 13th & 14th, 2007 over 13,000 people gathered at Mt Rushmore National Park to watch a small Native American music group called Brule. Concert for Reconciliation of the Cultures became the largest musical performance ever at Mt. and an historical milestone in the healing of two cultures.

2007 to present, over 225 PBS affiliates have aired the Concert for Reconciliation of the Cultures.

Current band members include: Paul LaRoche on keyboards; Nicole LaRoche (Paul s daughter) on flute; Shane LaRoche (Paul s son) on guitars; Vlasis on percussion; Lowery Begay on traditional drum and Kurt Olson on drum kit. Paul, Nicole, and Shane are enrolled members of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of SD. Lowery is an enrolled member of the Diné Nation.

Current traditional dancers include: Lowery Begay, Garan Coons, Chris Estes, Douglas Scholfield, Linda Thompson & Josette Wahwasuck.