rocknroll_n_blues_queens | Michelle King, Falon McBride, Debbie Woodward, Adrienne Phillips from Flame

Flame's band members are all people with disabilities.

Flame - All for a reason

Flame Live at Ft. Plain School 2008

A lot of what makes FLAME remarkable is embodied in Michelle King, the talented, bold-voiced singer-guitarist who fronts the 11-piece band of musicians. The band members all have varying developmental disabilities. Michelle King has autism and, according to Lexington Center executive director Paul Nigra, is “mentally challenged.” But the difference between King offstage and on is distinct.

(Lexington Center is the Fulton County chapter of the Arc, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.)

FLAME are between sets at the Lobster Festival in Washington Park, where they have been entertaining a packed tent of milling people. At a side-stage area outside the tent, I interview King, drummer David LaGrange, who is blind and mentally challenged, and percussionist Shawn Lehr, who has Down syndrome.

To King, I am a new person, a stranger, and I have a tape recorder and questions. Initially, her attitude toward me suggests a mixture of wariness and indifference. But it is likely neither. King avoids eye contact, but she is sweet in demeanor and lights up a bit when I explain who I am and what I’m doing. We have the following exchange:

“What’s your favorite part about playing in FLAME?”

“Well . . . (pause) Yeah, um, it first started in 2003. That’s when it started.”

“What do you like about it?”

“Playin’. Singin’ and playin’ the guitar.”

“Do you guys consider yourselves role models?”
MORE

Website with Falon McBride and Michelle King, Adrieene Phillips and Debbie Woodruff bios. Michelle plays guitar and sings, while Falon plays percussion and also provides vocals. Debbie dances and Adrienne does keyboard and sings too.

Watch out for Original Album, Outside the LInes in 2011

Currently Touring Across the US