In the early 90s, Lance Harrison and Donna Howley became known as “Lance & Donna” and had settled into a comfortable life as musicians and owners of a demo/recording studio off of the city’s fabled Music Row. But in 1992, their life was jolted by an unexpected blow that would leave them without a home or business and send them on a quest of renewed discovery for the roots of the Blues.
Left without anything except their dream of pursuing music and travel, they began backpacking, hitchhiking and playing the streets. They traveled throughout Europe to the Middle East and on to Asia, Central and South America leading the lives of true ‘Blues Troubadours’. In 1996, they dedicated themselves to Europe by buying a vintage camping van. Fate struck when a blown engine left them stranded on the streets of France, where they were discovered by the organizers of a major blues festival, taken off the street and put on the stage. And there they remained for many years, to the delight of Blues fans throughout Europe. Turning up in France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Lance & Donna seemed to be everywhere!
Lance & Donna’s emphasis on pre-war Blues is reflected in Lance’s style and interpretation, as well as his original compositions. In 2005 they released their critically acclaimed CD “The Sun Will Shine.” Through their performances in clubs and festivals, they gained recognition from the French Blues community and captivated German audiences and the rest of Europe.
Eventually, they decided to return to the road and move on to warmer climates, being troubadours in the truest sense of the word. While Donna has now retired from the stage, they reside in Southern Laos on a Mekong island, where Lance continues exploring and travels to wherever the music leads them. The beat goes on!
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