Album Notes

Kim Massie (Lead vocals):
This native of St. Louis has been singing blues, soul, gospel and jazz all of her life. She's been compared to Aretha Franklin and Etta James with the persona all her own. After performing on Dick Clarke's Star Search she continued on to win first place in many national contests.

William Yates (Guitars, arrangements):
From Macon, GA. Previous guitarist for the southern rock group "The Outlaws." Billy has had the fortune of performing with Leon Russell, The Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foghat, Johnny and Edgar Winter, 38 Special, Molly Hatchet, The Kentucky Headhunters, Blue Oyster Cult, Robin Trower, The Charlie Daniels Band, The Marshall Tucker Band and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Don "Harpo" De Roma (Harmonica, vocals):
From Boston, MA. Harpo has shared the stage with such legends as Charlie Musselwhite, Little Richard, Junior Wells, The Kinsey Report, Buddy Miles, Rod Piazza and many more. He was frontman for "The Nightcrawlers" working along side of legendary guitarist Henry Vestine of Canned Heat.

Mark Leach (Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards, vocals):
A veteran keyboardist for Buddy Miles, Mark has been constantly performing since the age of 5 and has toured non-stop for almost 40 years. He has performed with George Duke, Alice Cooper, Wild Cherry, A Band of Gypsies, Natalie Cole, The Funkadelics, Junior Brown, and recently recorded with Buddy Miles and Double Trouble. Mark resides in Cleveland, OH.

Doug Johns (Bass guitar):
From Cleveland, OH. Victor Wooten and Stanley Clarke describe him as one of the best bassists in the world. His most recent outing in the recording arena put him in the midst of Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani as the bassist for Dweezil Zappa's latest release. He also played on the critically acclaimed L.A. Mass Choir CD.

Chris Ceja (Drums):
From Cleveland, OH. Chris and Doug Johns have done countless music clinics and workshops throughout the U.S. for the Dick Grove School of Music, The Kaman Corp. and Hartke. He has logged many session dates and live gigs. His most recent work was a summer tour with Buddy Miles and studio sessions with Gloria Estefan musical director, Kenny Anderson.

"Halfway To Cleveland":
A band consisting of musicians who have been touring and recording professionals for many years. The musical and lyrical abilities of this group are limitless, as can be heard on the CD. This band is the brainchild of Don "Harpo" De Roma and former Outlaws guitarist Billy Yates.

While playing at a Woodstock reunion, Harpo and Billy met another band that had common ties with Rod Stafford. They soon merged forces to create "Halfway To Cleveland", which features the rich, extremely powerful voice of Kim Massie, the ultra-talented Mark Leach on Hammond organ and piano, the incredible bass virtuoso, Doug Johns, and the impeccable drumming of Chris Ceja.

This group is a blues based band with musical influences ranging from Southern Rock to jazz and funk. The band has recorded eleven tunes, nine of which are original compositions.

The CD was recorded at Suma Recording Studio by Paul Hamann in Painesville, OH. while mixed and mastered by Tad Bush at First Take in Atlanta, GA. This CD also features guest appearances by "Baatin" on baritone and alto sax, "Dan Tiller" on dobro, "Buddy Miles" on vocals and "Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell".