James LaBrie

Singer, songwriter, and musician Kevin James LaBrie entered the world in Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada, during the spring of 1963. His deep affinity for music likely stemmed from his father and that branch of the family. Before he reached school age, the boy was already performing vocally and on drums, entertaining himself as well as his appreciative relatives. At ten he participated in a local barbershop quartet alongside his brother, father, and uncle. During his teenage years he gravitated toward his preferred genre, rock, and performed with several ensembles.

After acquiring additional stage experience and completing vocal instruction, LaBrie also finished two albums with separate Canadian outfits. He then joined Dream Theater—a New York-formed ensemble—as lead vocalist. The lineup included guitarist John Petrucci, keyboardist Derek Sherinian, drummer Mike Portnoy, and bassist John Myung. His initial Dream Theater recording appeared in 1992. Throughout the remainder of the decade the group toured extensively and issued further releases. Among the titles on which LaBrie appears are Falling into Infinity, Awake, A Change of Seasons, Once in a LIVEtime, and Scenes from a Memory.

In 1999 he issued his first solo project, Keep It to Yourself, on the Magna Carta Records label under the pseudonym MullMuzzler. A follow-up effort, MullMuzzler 2, reached stores late in 2001. Despite these independent ventures, LaBrie has continued to tour and record with Dream Theater and various other acts.