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The ego tree is a Tallahassee, Florida-based 5-piece rock band who, like current chart-toppers Coldplay, Keane, Gavin DeGraw, and the Killers, realized long ago that the piano is a seminal rock instrument as vital, diverse, and iconic as the electric guitar. The ego tree blends piano, guitar, bass, drums, and gorgeous three-part vocals into an infectious blend of piano-based modern rock with roots in the classic rock and pop songs of the last 40 years. They also offer up a slew of pretty ballads, with lyrics as insightful and revealing as any emo band's.

The ego tree has played live on the three major rock stations in Tallahassee (X101.5, Gulf 104, and V89), and was recognized as one of the top three regional bands during the Tallahassee's Most Wanted contest in late 2004, sponsored by Clear Channel. The band draws on influences like Ben Folds Five, early Elton John, 1970s Elvis Costello, Sting, the Rolling Stones, and the Black Crowes for some of its inspiration, but a true list of influences for the band would take all day. It's safe to say that no band--local or national--sounds quite like ego tree, and yet their songs take us somewhere comfortable and familiar because they are instantly classic and essential. Listening to a new ego tree song is like meeting someone whom you know will be your best friend. The band members have honed their live show and their performance skills over the last 5 to 10 years, playing in various bands. The songs are radio-friendly, but without any sense of artistic compromise. The ego tree is in bloom.

Read our press clippings here.

                        

Terry Roberts   
Vocals, tambourine, and other "lead singer" instruments

Terry started out life as an infant. He then proceeded to college at the University of South Florida, where he joined/formed the caitlin roscoe project, a progressive rock band. He entered a pupa stage, and proceeded to law school at Florida State University's College of Law to learn all the things he would not be allowed to do later in life. It was at that very moment that he joined Urban Legend, who recorded a fantastic progressive pop album called "One Day" within two months. Terry proceeded to a full-on larval stage, when Urban Legend's membership changed nearly completely. Those guys did a couple songs, too, and played for a few years. Terry emerged recently as a fully-formed ego tree. He works for the Florida Attorney General's office as an Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Appeals attorney. He enjoys standing still on grass, being watered, and shedding leaves in the fall. His lyrics are inspired by nightmares concerning large disembodied floating green eyes. Also, catch his collaboration with DP Fresh (featuring Tom Corbett on drums and piano, and ego tree producer David Pichard, on guitar and bass! Buy or listen here.

Mark Murray  
Keyboards

Mark was transplanted from Orlando to Tallahassee, and also became a lawyer by day. He has spawned two saplings. He served in several rock outfits, and played for Disney. Hee-hee. He started the rock band Urban Legend several years ago, but now calls ego tree home. He can explain very complex chord sequences to you.

Brian Clark   
Bass

Brian began life as a large, disembodied, floating, green eye in Tallahassee, Florida. Being conspicuous, he learned the bass guitar to "fit in with people with bodies." He assumed human form (tho' people still refer to him as the "cyclops") shortly before joining the second phase of Urban Legend, and he appears on such songs as "Torrid" and "Amused." He knows the other songs, too. He single-handedly runs a state social security office, and is in charge of disbursement of checks to people who are about to feed the tree.

Tom Corbett  
Drums

Tom Corbett is a different form of flora. Tom has musical roots in south Florida, with DPFresh, Sugarshak, Ona, and the world-famous King Cotton Blues Band. Someone with such a complex root system eventually has to hook up with an ego tree. Creed's opened for him; he's opened for Styx. He also opens beer bottles effortlessly. A root system needs a lot of hydration.

Also, catch his collaboration with DP Fresh (featuring Tom Corbett on drums and piano, and ego tree producer David Pichard, on guitar and bass! Buy or listen here.

 

Terry Logue         

Guitar

Terry Logue is a mystery with a guitar. Which came first, the tree or the ego? The answer is: Terry Logue.

 

Former members:                                                                     

Scott LaPorta 
Guitar
             

Scott "Scotty Meatballs" LaPorta provided soaring, melodic guitar and backing vocals for both Urban Legend and ego tree starting in 1999. In mid-2003, he relocated with his wife, Mara, to Sarasota, Florida, where he practices law (and probably a little guitar, too).

Jayson Lawrence
Drums - 2001

Jayson played drums with Tallahassee rock band, Fuse. He played drums on two of the songs from "Daydreaming in Eden," including ego tree's most-played radio song, "Three Minutes."

Chris Fitzgerald  
Drums - 2001-2003
       

Chris previously played for several bands including Tallahassee's own, Catalyst, who is featured on the Local's Only 3 CD He played drums on 8 of the 10 tracks on the 2003 ego tree album, "Daydreaming in Eden."

   

all content herein is © egotree, 2002 and beyond.