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Paul LaRoche, leader of the award winning contemporary Native American group,
Brulé and AIRO (the American
Indian Rock Opera), announced the release of their first “live” concert
television (PBS) special on DVD and a live CD recording.
Seven years in the making, the concert titled “Brulé
& AIRO, Live at Mt Rushmore, Concert for Reconciliation of
the Cultures” was presented at the Mt Rushmore amphitheater in the Black
Hills of South Dakota on July 13 & 14, 2007 before record breaking crowds
of over 11,000.
South Dakota Public Broadcasting aired the concert numerous times as part of their
annual fundraising campaign with record number of pledges this past winter &
spring. Rocky Mtn PBS (Denver & affiliates) has committed to airing the concert
in the near future.
Brule Bio: Brulé
founder, Paul LaRoche, 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, cousins,
nieces and nephews. The discovery of his true heritage has had a monumental effect
on his life. Overwhelmed by the experience, Paul has turned his powerful feelings
to humanitarian causes through music. Brule
has become one of the top-selling Native American recording artists with more
than a million cds sold worldwide. With national appearances on Regis and Kathie
Lee, CNN Worldbeat, QVC, A&E Biography and others, Brule
has come of age. The live performances have created contagious excitement that
is sweeping the nation. Awards include: 1999 “Outstanding Musical Achievement
Award” from The First Americans in the Arts; 2002 “Group of the Year”
and “Best Instrumental Recording” for Star People from the Native
American Music Awards; 2003 “Best Instrumental Recording” for Night
Tree by Nicole with Brulé
from the Native American Music Awards; 2006 “Group of the Year” for
AIRO: Tatanka and “Best Compilation Recording” for Brulé’s
“the Collection” from the Native American Music Awards.
Current AIRO band members include movie actor, Moses Brings Plenty on traditional
drum; Nicole LaRoche (Paul’s daughter) on flute; Shane LaRoche (Paul’s
son) on guitars and broadway performer/vocalist, Kriste Belt. Paul, Nicole and
Shane are enrolled members of the Lower Brule
Sioux Tribe of SD. Moses is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of SD.
Special guest performers included members of the Many Moccasins traditional Native
American dance troupe from Winnebago; Thirza Defoe, Petur Redbird, Lowery Begay
and Linda Thompson. Guest kit drummer, Kurt Olson, from Minneapolis.
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