Occasionally 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 Lakota 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.
It is Paul's mission to be a role model and to use his music to bridge the gap between cultures. In 1999, Paul was selected as a musical ambassador and speaker for the UN Peace Conference held in the Hague Center for Peace, Netherlands. Brule's annual coast to coast tour with his band AIRO (American Indian Rock Opera) has included performances at such venues as the Hollywood premier of the movie Open Range; Indian Art Markets in Denver, Arlington, and Overland Park ,KS; Harbor Fest in Virginia Beach; Indian Summer in Milwaukee; the world-renowned Ordway Theater in St. Paul, various Tribal casinos and many additional outdoor festivals and events. Brule' and AIRO's tour consist of live, outdoor performances up to full-stage concert productions of We the People and One Holy Night.
Brulé 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, and others, Brulé has come of age. The live performances have created a contagious excitement that is sweeping the nation. Brulé was presented the 1999 "Outstanding Musical Achievement Award" by the The First Americans in the Arts, 2002 "Group of the Year" and "Best Instrumental Recording" for Star People, and 2003 "Best Instrumental Recording" for Night Tree from the Native American Music Academy. In 2006 the Native American Music Academy awarded Brule' "Best Compilation Recording" for his release The Collection, while his band AIRO walked away with "Group of the Year" for its release Tatanka.
Current band members include: Paul LaRoche on keyboards, Nicole LaRoche (Paul's daughter) on flute, Shane LaRoche (Paul's son) on guitars, and Moses Brings Plenty on traditional drums and percussion. Paul, Nicole, and Shane are enrolled members of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of SD. Moses is member of Oglala Sioux Nation from Pine Ridge, SD, and now lives in Omaha, NE.
