Band

Keith Impellitier

Born in Buffalo and growing up in Rochester, New York, Keith did his college years and early band days in Arizona. His formative musical years, however, were actually spent in Texas, where he played guitar, keyboards, sang and wrote songs for Calico, the multi award-winning Dallas/Ft. Worth progressive country band he helped create. Calico recorded two albums in Nashville with United Artist Records and in one particular year, Keith was a salaried staff songwriter for UA Publishing and Calico won the Buddy Magazine Award for Best New Group in Texas.

In the subsequent years, Keith continued his Texas musical adventures with two more relevant and popular groups, Trinity Rose and The Flying Johnson Brothers, as well as performing as a solo act and in many acoustic duos and trios. Known throughout Texas for their blistering vocal harmonies, Trinity Rose won the Ft. Worth Terry Award for Vocal Group of the Year during the 1980s. Returning to Rochester in the early 1990s, Keith played acoustic guitar with Josie Waverly and the Chasen Powell Band, and later in the decade, was part of the popular acoustic trio, Triple Play. For the last four years, he has been performing with Ciara Lynn Gardner, both in her band and as her guitar accompanist in smaller acoustic venues.

When pressed to admit what his favorite musical moments have been in his career, Keith confesses, "Well, I guess it'd have to be when I get to weave guitar chords around a great female singer's voice. Especially, one who can take an ordinary song and turn it into an extraordinary experience. Yeah, I've always been a sucker for a great chick singer!" He was once asked of all the singers he's accompanied, who was the best at being great? He smiled knowingly and simply said, "Does that really require an answer?"

Jeff Sawyer

For years pianist, keyboard player and composer Jeff Sawyer has been a staple on the upstate New York music scene. From his numerous recording sessions and appearance as a back up musician for various pop and country acts, to his tenure in the critically acclaimed ethereal New Age duo, Dreamscape, to now having three solo albums, Jeff Sawyer has made his musical mark on Upstate New York and his well-crafted piano magic has been getting more and more recognition.

Sawyer’s three albums, "Without Shores", "The Wellspring Within" and "Celebrating the Holiday Season" consist of recordings that feature mostly solo piano, or piano with some additional instrumentation and orchestration. These albums show a compelling musician; one who has spent nearly two decades both in the studio and on the stage.

In the past, Sawyer was musical director and pianist on several cruise lines, has performed for former president Bill Clinton and many other dignitaries. Sawyer has also played keyboards for well-known rocker Todd Hobin, country sensation Chasen Powell as well as many other artists. A graduate of Syracuse University Masters program, Sawyer currently works in music education, remaining busy as a father and still finds time as a film and TV composer and arranger. Since 1995, Sawyer has co-written over 30 songs for various children’s shows on the Learning Channel and PBS Network, which are currently aired nationally and internationally.

Jim Lucas

Originally from the Albany area, played with well known New York rock bands 805, Mr Edd & Todd Hobin. While with Todd Hobin, toured extensively with The Beach Boys and The Kinks. Has been with Ciara from the beginning in February 2001. All time favorite groups are The Beatles and The Police. Some drumming influences are Stewart Copeland, Frank Briggs, Carter Buford, and Manu Katche'. Current favorite drummer is Gary Lucas(Simplelife). Married to the beautiful Rita(owner/operator of ESP Event Planning). Between them they have five sons(Gary, Mike(also Simplelife), Danny, Dylan & Mark("my current hero").

"Working with Ciara has been a labor of love. Watching her emerge from the incredibly talented little fourteen year old girl with braces who wouldn't say boo, to the incredibly talented young woman(without braces) who is becoming more and more self-assured about her many gifts, has been inspiring. Together, we've seen everyone come and go from this project , and through it all she remains my very close friend. With her voice, writing talent, and beauty I have no doubt she'll become a force in the music industry, but the best thing I can say about her is that she's a great kid. Plus, she gets my sense of humor. It's all good".

Linda Rutherford-Marino

Linda Rutherford is not the first person in her family to play music professionally. Linda remembers as early as age 3 falling asleep on her momma's lap as she played the piano in the families self titled Rutherford Family Showband. A traditional Irish act whose members included: Mom, her two brothers and two sisters. Linda joined the troop at age 7 playing the fiddle and the accordion. The group toured the east coast for 12 years and recorded six albums together. This beginning is what laid Linda's musical foundation and wove music and performance into the deepest core of her being.

In 1995 the Western NY native stepped out on her own and formed Linda Rutherford and Celtic Fire, an all original contemporary Celtic rock band. She wrote and recorded two albums with this act which received extensive airplay and distribution overseas.

Linda holds a masters degree in music education from Nazareth College. She plays fiddle, guitar, mandolin, keyboards, and sax. Her top shelf musical excellence and sassy style made Linda a perfect fit with Ciara Lynn Gardner.

In 2001,Linda and Ciara Lynn joined forces and just hit it off. They have formed a strong bond, extending to her audience the best of the best in the music industry. Seeing is believing!!!! What an amazing combination of vocals!

When not performing Linda spends time with her husband Sebastian, and three children, Julia, Emily, and Joey. Linda hopes to pass her love of music and performance on to her own children. She say's "I truly aspire to be the mother to my children that my mom was to me. She was and always will be my inspiration".

Tom McNall

Tom McNall also comes from a musical family. His mother, Jackie, performed on WWJ radio in Detroit at the age of 14 and recorded on 78 RPM vinyl as “Tabitha”; his father Tom played the trumpet. Originally from Albion NY, Tom began performing with “The Illusion” and “Small Change” on guitar, but then switched to bass with “Crosstalk” in the late 70’s and continued with “Backstreet” for 12 years through most of the 80’s.

Recently, Tom finished a very busy 9 year stint with one of Rochester's most popular modern rock bands - "Perfect World," but quickly volunteered for the bass slot after hearing a Ciara Lynn CD being played by the soundman during a break. Tom has also enjoyed some interesting historic musical experiences attending Woodstock in 1969, opening up for REO Speedwagon in 1972 and Loverboy in 2000.

As one of the newest additions to "The Ciara Lynn Band," Tom is looking forward to playing the best modern county music to hit the scene since Shania.

Mark Gregory

Musician/Singer/Guitarist and Songwriter Mark Gregory, originally from Buffalo NY, has toured the east coast with legendary 1960's band Doc Holiday & the Soul Survivors (you may remember their hit record "Expressway To Your Heart"). After winning several Buffalo Music Awards with his local bands Frank Beach & the Duke Street Kings and 33 West he relocated to Rochester NY where he currently resides and works with party band Nik & the Nice Guys. He has also recorded and performed with Country singer Josie Waverly. Mark is currently doing session work and perfoming a variety of gigs on the weekends. He has released two solo albums "Songs-n-Stuff" (1997) and "Outstanding In His Field" (2003). He also has a Masters Degree in Music Education and pursues an active teaching career as well.