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 Ten 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.

Following the incredible success of Omar's "FOREVER RED" album, the "EXPERIENCE" album represents the growth, power, and evolution of songs from "FOREVER RED" as they are now performed by Omar and his band, while adding some fantastic new material that Omar's fans have grown to love from his live shows. The violinist, singer, and composer joined forces once again with co-producer Adam Whaley for a grueling nine-month process of selecting material which was recorded live during Omar's 2006 concert series and editing, mixing, and sometimes re-recording certain parts in order to produce a polished, refined, and yet wide-open concert-style feel and sound for this record.

The result is "EXPERIENCE", a dramatic and accurate representation of what it is like to experience Omar, his eight-piece band, and his chorus of backing vocalists in live performance. Although new versions of classic pieces from "FOREVER RED" such as "Dawn" and "Testimonial Ocean" shine with the energy and passion of the group's combined talents, the highlights are sure to be the ethereal solo violin medley of "Ave Maria / Amazing Grace", the Spanish bolero feel of "Tiger Eyes", and "Full Circle", a rousing ode to the strength and survival of the human spirit which features Omar's own lead vocals paired with the gospel-flavored alto stylings of Kelley Phillips-Glover.