MICHAEL ALLEN Lead Vocals/Percussion
(AKA Whiskey)
Michael has performed in the entertainment business for over 20 years. Starting as a drummer when he was a young boy he played in school Jazz, Concert and Solo bands for Festivals, Concerts and Competitions. After high school he went on to play and perform in Top 40 groups for Night Clubs and Parties until a tragic football accident had left him on crouches for two years, he could no longer drum. While trying to recuperate from his injury he picked up the Bass Guitar and started singing. Reaching a level of confidence to perform, he began playing in popular Top 40 bands as Bass Player and Lead Front Singer entertaining Festivals, Corporations, Night Clubs and Private Parties, traveling all up and down the West Coast States for a number of years. Michael once again had to stop playing due to a family illness and had to take a long Hyades so he could provide emotional support to his family.
He sprung back into the entertainment field three years ago with a solo project that allowed him to sing a wide variety of songs from many genres. He performed for Private Parties, Restaurants and Wineries until leaving California. Now in Arizona, Whiskey is ready to perform.
The nickname Whiskey came from the fact that there is always a cold glass of Jack Daniels on ice near him while performing.
Getting back to his roots and the number one thing that drives his passion for performing live music is pleasing the audience through participation and interaction so they can relax, dance and have a well-deserved good time.
LOREN KRAFT Bass
Loren fell in love with the bass the first time he ever laid eyes on one! Playing music immediately became his passion and purpose in life.
He grew up musically in the Washington D.C. & Baltimore areas, playing a variety clubs and concert venues since the age of 15. You can hear the East Coast influences in his playing that include slices of Soul, Progressive Rock, R&B, Funk, Jazz/Fusion.
Loren’s musical journeys eventually took him South where he toured in the Carolinas, Alabama, Georgia and Florida, soaking in the infectious sounds and feel of those areas.
In the early 80s, he was invited by Kim Simmonds to join the English band Savoy Brown, where he relocated to L.A. to record and start touring with them. Ralph Morman, the former lead singer from The Joe Perry Project, was in the band at that time.
Still in the 80s, but after Savoy Brown, Loren hooked up with the Capital Records songwriting couple Roger & Adrianne Heath, recording and playing local L.A. clubs with them. Roger was co-founder and lead guitarist for the band D.B. Cooper on Warner Bros. Records.
As life does go for most of us, family then came along for Loren, priorities shifted, and it wasn’t until some years later that he got the opportunity to record professionally again with a band called Starkey Drive. Carole King’s guitarist and producer, Rudy Guess, was the key engineer on this project.
Since Starkey Drive, Loren has been playing in a variety of bands wherever he’s lived, ranging from R&B, Progressive Rock, Jazz/Fusion, Soul, Funk… hmmm… looks like his East Coast influences are still hangin’ around!
CHRIS TUSSING Drums/Vocals
Chris brings to The Elements years of experience in a wide variety of musical genres and styles, all driven with the same philosophy in mind - '"Lay down the groove, solid and thick, ". Relocating to Arizona in 2020, He spent the previous 20 years playing in casinos, festivals, clubs, and just about everywhere in the Greater Seattle area....blues, funk, soul, rock, jazz, gospel, you name it, he's done it! He had the incredible good fortune to be in the drum chair for such bands as the Kim Archer band, Chris Lord and Cheatin' River, , Sleep Til Noon, Tin Man, Raymond Hayden and the Monsters in the Dark, Grieve The Astronaut, Killer Rabbit, The Jethro Tull Experience, and the Dana Osborn Band, played on multiple recordings with these artists as well as others, and got involved with recording and producing several projects as well. "The Elements have such a unique blend of old and new material, all of it fun and danceable, I hope anyone who sees us has as much fun as I'm having up there!" He says." Check us out and see!"
Robert Lame Lead Guitar/Vocals
Robert is an accomplished Studio, Touring Guitarist, Vocalist and Songwriter.
Robert brings great energy to the stage, soaring vocals, and blistering solos.
Award winner of Billboard’s National Songwriting Contest.Hired to play on a national jingle for the Wella Corporation.
Worked with producers, Beau Hill (Winger, Eric Clapton, and Warrant), Plink Giglio (Glenn Burtnick), Bob Miller (Cher), Dennis Burke (Alice Cooper, Warlock, The Nelsons).
Robert has worked in a number of studio settings; Power Station NYC, Dream State CA, Chalet Studios NJ, Ocean Recording NJ.
He has been on the road with touring experience such as, Original member of the nationally touring tribute act CSNSongs. playing the part of Graham Nash. Opened for various national acts around the country.
Robert has perform at many venues, clubs and other engagements; PNC Arts Center NJ, Main stage-17,500 seats, Six Flags Great America IL, Main Stage-5,000 seats. Irving Plaza NYC, CBGB’s NYC, Limelight NYC, Sanctuary NYC, Mercury Lounge NYC, Stone Pony NJ. Modelled for a Wella Corporation print ad that appeared in Teen, Teen beat, Sixteen, and Seventeen magazines.
