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A performing musician since age 8, Doug was raised in a rural mountain area in a family of accomplished professional and amateur folk musicians. "I was brought up on acoustic music and spending time outdoors. "I most love to write music and am currently recording my 4th album, all originals." 

"Hawaiian music also speaks to me because it’s an acoustic tradition that reflects its people and their natural surroundings.  It paints a beautiful sonic picture that relies on heart and soul for interpretation.  I’ve been very fortunate to be a student of several of the best slack-key players and I feel strongly that those styles should be preserved.  Yet, as a singer/songwriter, I draw from my own experiences and that also seems to resonate with others."

Fitch was a nominee for the 2009 Na Hokuhanohano Awards (slack key guitar category) and 2009 Hawaii Music Awards (Folk Music category). Doug has studied Hawaiian slack-key guitar intensively with several masters and is also a recipient of a grant from the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts in support of his ongoing study of the genre, also known as "kiho’alu". 

Whether playing traditional, popular, or original compositions, Fitch’s performances reflect enthusiasm and creativity as well his respect for his teachers and the traditions of the music.  He has been a featured songwriter, singer, and musician on several albums and has been a featured artist at the Pakele Live! and Na Mele Nei Concert Series as well as slack key guitar festivals. He has performed frequently at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki and the Ko’olina Beach Club Resort.

Sports fans may remember Doug from his days as a professional bicycle racer when he became the first bicyclist to appear on the Wheaties cereal box in 1988.  He was a member of the U.S. National Cycling Team during the 1980s, and became the U.S. National Champion in 1986. He won the Visalia Cycling Classic, the infamous Pikes Peak Hill Climb, and the Tour of Peru.  After retiring from racing, he completed his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver. 

Laurie  Biagini is a songwriter/singer from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, whose music would appeal to fans of 1960’s California sunshine pop. Her sound and compositions have been compared to The Beach Boys, The Mamas and the Papas, and Jackie DeShannon. Her main influences include these artists along with The Beatles, The Byrds, The Monkees, The Turtles,  and Jan & Dean. 

 Laurie has played piano by ear since age five, alongside ten years of classical piano training. She only started writing music in August 2006, after writing her first song which came to her with music and lyrics simultaneously one afternoon as she was commuting home from work. Since then, she has completed and released three albums: “Ridin’ the Wave” (released November 2008), “A Far-Out Place” (released March 2010), and “A Go-Go Girl in a Modern World” (released November 2011).  She is currently in production of her 4th album, "Sanctuary of Sound" which has an estimated release of early 2013. 

All of Laurie’s songs have been written, composed, performed and recorded by herself, with the exception of a handful of songs from“A Go-Go Girl in a Modern World. This most recent album featured some guitar tracks from Fabrizio Serrecchia (Italy) and Peter Hackett (UK), lyrics on one track from Elaine McAfee Bender (USA), and one track with lyrics cowritten with Maxi Dunn (UK) and performed together as a duet.

ACCOLADES

The albums have received positive reviews from numerous publications in the Powerpop Community.  Some other highlights:

All three CD’s placed in the top 50 of David Bash’s (of International Pop Overthrow fame) year-end best album lists.
“A Far-Out Place” and “A Go-Go Girl in a Modern World” chosen in the 10 Best CD’s of the year (2010, 2011) in The Province News by rock journalist Tom Harrison.
“A Go-Go Girl in a Modern World” chosen as one of the top 25 albums of 2011 on CBC Radio One (Earlier show).
"Ridin' the Wave", “A Far-Out Place” and “A Go-Go Girl in a Modern World” included in the most-played albums on Maui’s Time Machine Radio Show.
“A Far-Out Place” was one of the top albums of 2010, and “A Go-Go Girl in a Modern World” received the Ear Candy award for 2011 on Sacramento’s Twirl Radio show.   
Artist of the month for June and July 2009 on the Twirl Radio Show
“Ridin’ the Wave” listed in the top 100 albums of 2009 on the Powerpop Station in Brazil.

PERFORMANCES

Laurie has performed at the International Pop Overthrow Festival in San Francisco (2008), CA, Vancouver, B.C (2008-2012), and Liverpool, UK (2010).  She has also performed at the North Vancouver Festival of Lights, along with 2 charity Christmas Concerts arranged through Rave-On Studio. She has performed twice in Italy – Reggio Emilia (March 2011), and Rome (June 2010).

GUEST APPEARANCES ON COMPILATION ALBUMS

Laurie has appeared on the International Pop Overthrow compilation CD Volumes 11, 12, 13, and 14, as well as guest vocals on “Encomium in Memorium Vol. 1 – Jan Berry of Jan & Dean”. She was signed by SideB Music for their holiday compilation “Rockin’ the Mistletoe” with her song “Christmas in the Air”, and additionally submitted a different mix of the song on "A Very Vancouver Christmas 5", a locally produced compilation by Rave On Studio, to benefit the SPCA. 


FUTURE PLANS

As to her future plans, Laurie wants to continue writing and recording music, and explore opportunities to collaborate with other musicians. She also hopes to expand her audience by taking advantage of any opportunities to appear on future compilation albums, as well as performing in more locations both domestic, and abroad. The art of creating music has been an educational experience (not to mention a total rush!), and she hopes be ridin’ that wave for some time to come.

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