Album Notes

Omar Lopez, more widely recognized as "the guy with the red violin", is a true entertainer. Raised in Austin, Texas, the classically-trained violinist culls his style from jazz, rock, pop, R&B, and even Latin and Middle Eastern musical influences. Voted one of the Best String Musicians in the Austin Chronicle Music Poll for 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, he has also been ranked as one of MySpace's Top Ten Classical Artists in Texas and holds his audiences' attention with his signature brand of instrumental fusion rock, emotionally-charged lyric-driven ballads, and his charismatic, commanding, and at times explosive stage presence.

"FOREVER RED", the debut album from Omar Lopez, is a compilation of songs chronicling love found and lost, and themes no less weighty and spiritual than birth, death and resurrection. Highlighting performances by an innovative and eclectic ensemble of musicians such as cellist Jennifer Mulhern, vocalist Karma Stewart, and flamenco guitarist Michael Rodriguez, "FOREVER RED" was recorded, mixed, and engineered by Omar's co-producer Adam Whaley, who also plays electric bass, keyboards, and acoustic and electric guitars throughout the album.

Omar spent five years creating the songs for this record and it shows in the vast range of musical styles which he incorporates into his original compositions - from the techno-inspired "Dawn" to the Middle Eastern and Latin world beat of "Exodus", and from the gospel-flavored lyrics of "Reasons for Living" to the driving hard-rock feel of the title track, "Forever Red". As a bonus, Omar also includes his danceable, electronic-pop rock version of the theme from "The Neverending Story", which became a favorite with fans during Omar's 2004-2005 concert series.