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We recorded this live on WNMC in Traverse City, MI. Check out my latest blog entry to get the story behind the tune.

Every time Luke Sayers steps onto a stage to perform for an appreciative audience he is realizing the purpose for which he was put on Earth. After hearing Luke’s latest CD Radio Flower, Rich Albertoni of Madison, Wisconsin’s Isthmus echoed this sentiment when he wrote “Sayers sounds like a songwriter who's found his musical calling.“ The spirit has moved Luke to maximize his potential as an artist. The 11 original songs and Luke’s AfroCaribbean flavored arrangement of Johnny Cash’s I’m a worried man on Radio Flower feature the singer/songwriter’s growth into a multi-instrumentalist. Luke played acoustic & electric guitars, upright bass, mandolin, and percussion in addition to producing the CD. The passion for performing and "an unmistakable heartfelt sincerity" (Illinois Entertainer) that come from heeding his calling are obvious to anyone who has been at one of Luke’s live shows. A full range of emotion is expressed during each performance with Luke’s "powerful, passionate voice” (Martin Bandyke) excitedly stirring the souls of the audience one minute, while in the next “songs such as Delaying Disaster and The Letter amble along on the singer's comforting voice and delicate strumming” (The Chicago Tribune).

Though unaware of how the songs which are bits and pieces of his soul make their way through him, Luke sees them for the gifts they truly are. An idea is triggered by a random flash of inspiration, any one of a million melodies which are constantly swirling in Luke’s mind latches onto that idea, and it’s only a matter of time until a song is born. Years of study, practice, and performance have given Luke the ability to allow the songs to travel freely from the inner space of his mind out through his guitar and voice. "Sonorous acoustic folk-rock doesn't get much better than what Luke Sayers generates” (MLive.com) by drawing on the blues & her children jazz, country, & rock-n-roll. In a recent interview with the South Bend Tribune, Luke summed up his musical journey when he said “I feel like I tried everything there was to try". “Right now, musically, I finally feel that where I am is where I’m supposed to be.”

Luke has been fortunate to have formed a musical brotherhood who have glossed themselves with the moniker of The Last to Know. At the forefront of this dynamic group is Mark Iannace. Mark’s beautiful accordion playing along with “bang-up harmonies at times recalling Barenaked Ladies" (Grand Rapids Press) have become an integral part of Luke’s group sound. The duo came together in 2001 when Luke joined the much loved 6 piece acoustic Americana band Tangerine Trousers. Since making Chicago his home base in March of 2008, The Last to Know has expanded to include area stalwarts Bob Bechstein (drums), and James Kirk (upright bass). Fellow former Tangerine Trousers members Michael Hacala (drums) & Pat Shanley (guitars) helped to found the group performing on Luke’s last two CDs as well as providing support at several live shows throughout the country.

Luke Sayers and Mark Iannace released their EP length CD “Long Way Back” at The Ark on Sunday, May 13th 2007 along with former Tangerine Trousers band mates Michael Hacala and Pat Shanley for which they received the following praise:

“Luke Sayers has a powerful, passionate voice, and it's put to good use on the heartfelt, beautifully written tunes on his new CD." - Martin Bandyke, 107.1FM Ann Arbor

“You have to get out and see Luke Sayers and Mark Iannace. These two are wonderfully talented songwriters, but it is in the live performance that their music takes on wings. Their new CD, 'Long Way Back', is a must listen to for fans of thoughtful folk rock." - Bill Keith, Trinity House Theatre

Recent highlights for the group include:

*The Detroit Music Award nominations for Outstanding Acoustic/Folk Songwriter in 2005, Outstanding Acoustic Artist in 2006, and Outstanding Folk Artist in 2007. Mark Iannace also received the 2007 DMA nomination for Outstanding Acoustic Instrumentalist

*1st place in the 2005 Great Lakes Songwriting Contest for Luke’s song “What I should've said"

*The only Michigan artists selected for an official showcase at the 2006 International Folk Alliance Conference (the acoustic roots version of SXSW) in Austin, TX.