biography

Hey Romeo-- Stacie Roper (vocals), Rob Shapiro (keyboards) and Darren Gusnowsky (guitarist)--is one of Canada’s busiest touring bands. The dynamic Edmonton, Alberta country trio released its debut single “Wrap These Around You” in 2005 under the humorous band name, Udder Maddness. Sanity prevailed; the name of the band changed to Hey Romeo and has since chalked up more than 700 shows throughout Canada since forming in 2002.

The band has opened shows for such diverse acts as Sugarland, Chely Wright, the Corb Lund Band, Emerson Drive, the Road Hammers, The Trews and Blue Rodeo. Hey Romeo members, while performing with other projects, were each well-respected musicians within Edmonton’s music community, when they decided to work together in 2002.  The hook-up came when Stacie went to see Canadian country singer Gord Bamford perform and was drawn to the quality musicianship of Rob and Darren. She talked Bamford into letting her onstage to sing a couple of songs with his band, and the three soon became close  friends.  Within a month, Stacie, Rob and Darren had played their first show together.

A collective chemistry between the three was unmistakable from the first rehearsals. In time, they were able to develop their own sound and their own group identity as Hey Romeo. While Rob handles much of the band’s day-to-day business, all three members are skillful songwriters. Since forming, the band has built up an enthusiastic fan base in Western Canada, appearing at such major events as The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, The Big Valley Jamboree, The Canadian Finals Rodeo, Edmonton Klondike Days, and The Canadian Brier Curling Championships as well as several Alberta Pro Events.

Hey Romeo will be touring through 2008 in support of it’s debut self-titled album, which includes the singles “Sorry That You’re Leavin,’” and their version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Second Hand News,” both of which have drawn significant support nationally from Canadian country music radio.“The diversity and talent of this band makes them a favorite with our country audience,” adds Larry Werner, producer, of The Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alberta. “The band understands the theory of working hard and entertaining well. It sets them apart from other artists.”

“Stacie’s vocals along with some of the arrangements have hints of Shawn Colvin in them (Silent Screams espically) the blue grass influence is cool as well.. this record has a nice vibe to it!” Casey Clark Host of the Top 20 Countdown on CMT/ A and R for Icon Records.  Joel Stewart respected video director and CMT on air personality chimes in.. “With their catchy melodies and tight harmonies, Hey Romeo is an original band that cuts through the clutter of today’s country...keep your eyes and ears on this dynamic trio”

“The Canadian Country Music scene needed something fresh. How do you spell fresh?...”Hey Romeo” comments Larry Donohue of 790 CFCW & 96.3 Big Earl Music Director Newcap Radio- Edmonton “One of the best Canadian female voices today” Mark PatricMusic Director/APD/On Air93.7 JRfm/600am Radio, Vancouver, B.C.

Media Contact:

Anya Wilson Promotion & Publicity

416-977-7704

awilson@netsurf.net

Bookings:

UM Entertainment Inc.

(780)915-5126

shapsy@telusplanet.net

Websites: heyromeo.com, myspace.com/heyromeoband

Rob Shapiro started playing classical piano at 10, and he performed in music festivals until he was 15. Then, he started playing rock in local garage bands. Following high school, he studied music at Red Deer College in Red Deer, Alberta, and took jazz studies at Grant McEwan College in Edmonton, Alberta. Meanwhile, to pay for his college tuition, he worked as a swimming instructor, lifeguard, as well as a bartender. When Rob left college, he joined the established country act, Kidd Country, who would go on to be winners of multiple Alberta Recording Industry Awards for its two albums, “Kidd Country” and “Big Blue Lincoln.” Meanwhile, Rob learned the hard lessons of being in a hard-driven’ touring country band. On one bus a tire blew every week for six weeks in a row. On another, the alternator and the power steering pump were tied down with nylon rope. And there was a white van so cold members kidded about having to wear skidoo suits “I learned a lot along the way,” says Rob, who went on to work in bands backing such artists as Gil Grand, Diane Chase, and K.C. Jones. “Mostly about people, music and bad vehicles.”

Darren Gusnowsky  started off performing at the age of five; his mother would enter him and his two brothers into singing contests around Regina where he was born. Darren started playing guitar at the age of seven shortly after his family moved to Winnipeg. He learned country songs from his cousins Mark and Sean Smith of the CCMA award winning group the Poverty Plainsmen.

While Darren later started a band with his oldest brother Ben, it was a tough period being on the road being away from his new bride (his high school sweetheart). When the couple learned it was expecting its first child, Darren took a job in construction. After hours, he taught guitar to local students. Eventually, he was able to return to performing, playing on weekends. Darren and keyboardist Rob Shapiro hit it off when they were each hired to back up Canadian country singer Gord Bamford. A few weeks later, when Stacie Roper guested with the band, Darren knew they had found the voice for a new group.

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stacie

Stacie Roper grew up in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Her mother was the organist at the local church, and Stacie sang in the choir. She also began piano lessons at an early age. Her father is a truck driver who loves country music. He encouraged Stacie, still a youngster,to record many of his favorite songs at a local recording studio in order that he could hear her voice singing to him during his numerous trips across Canada.

During junior high and high school, Stacie sang with two local rock bands. Her country roots took more of a hold when she moved to the rural Alberta village of Hay Lakes (pop. 346). While music and singing were her passions, she was unsure of how to follow her dream of becoming a professional music artist. Slinging beer nightly at the Hay Lakes Hotel paid the bills for Stacie while she was also able to play with bands that appeared on the weekends, and sing in local talent competitions. After Stacie took on a second job, working at a Lammle’s Western Wear & Tack outlet, she was able to network with musicians in the country music field. A few years later, she went to see Canadian country singer Gord Bamford perform and she was drawn to the playing of his talented players, keyboardist Rob Shapiro and guitarist Darren Gusnowsky. Stacie talked Bamford into letting her sing a couple of songs with the band, and later they became close friends. Within a month, Stacie, Rob and Darren played their first show together.

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