Among some older music fans in America there has been a consensus that, for some time now, music on radio, TV and elsewhere has generally lacked intelligent lyrics and memorable melodies. Many also express concern that the music their kids/grandkids regularly hear is not suitable for young ears. But this group’s music has always been family-friendly, intelligent and melodic, well before those things were issues. For example, “Still The One”  is so mainstream and has such mass appeal that it’s been used by both Republicans and Democrats in several election campaigns, has been and continues to be used for countless media commercials and movie soundtracks. 

     You might be surprised to know some of the broad and deep connections Orleans has woven into the fabric of American music, going back to the early 1970s. Songs composed by John Hall have been covered by James Brown, James Taylor, Chet Atkins, Bonnie Raitt, The Fifth Dimension, New Grass Revival, Linda Ronstadt, Barbara Mandrell, Bobby McFerrin, Ricky Skaggs, Janis Joplin, Steve Wariner and The Oak Ridge Boys ( a co-write with Larry Hoppen) as well as numerous other notable artists.

     The members of the group have sung and/or played on records by Michael Franks, Graham Parker, Little Feat, Jackson Browne, Ricky Skaggs, Bonnie Raitt, Planet 9, Robbie Dupree, Blues Traveler and many other artists. They have, in turn, had Michael Brecker, Blue Mitchell, Chet Atkins, Linda Ronstadt, Warren Bernhardt, Bela Fleck, Tony Levin and many others help out on their own albums.

     Orleans may be the only American band to have sung backup vocals on a #1 Country record (Steve Wariner‘s “You Can Dream of Me“, which John co-wrote) and a #1 Jazz record (Michael Franks‘ “The Dream” from his “Dragonfly Summer“ album).

     Few popular music groups perform and record with their original members for decades … and even fewer can claim that they’ve been a vehicle for a United States Congressman! And Orleans still currently performs live, led by original member Lance Hoppen, joined by youngest brother Lane Hoppen on keyboards, Dennis “Fly” Amero on guitar, drummer Brady Spencer, and guitarist Tom Lane. Orleans is still consistently in demand for public performances, fundraisers, private functions and positive cause-based events, as they have been for the past 5 decades.