Lee Warren

bandleader, pedal steel, dobro, electric & acoustic guitars, tic tac bass

Lee is a core band member, working with Michelle for 14 years now. The CCMA has nominated him 10 times as Pedal Steel player of the year. With the Michelle Wright Band he is a 3 time winner of the CCMA Backup Band of the Year award. Playing a variety of instruments throughout the show, he helps create the mood and texture of the music with distinctive sounds and style. He also interacts a great deal with Michelle onstage, adding his special flare to each performance. Through years of hard work with numerous bands and artists, Lee has honed his skills. From his first gig as opening act for Mungo Jerry in New Zealand, as a member of Canadian iconoclasts Rang Tango, to his musical home with Michelle, he has always brought consistency, taste, and musical magic with him.

Sean Smith

lead guitar and vocals

Sean is a graduate of the University of North Texas. This highly acclaimed school produces some great musicians of which Sean is a perfect example. He's a resourceful player with great dexterity and taste. He also has one of the biggest dogs you will EVER meet...

Joe Schneider

bass, vocals

Joe is a rare specimen, being a true born and bred Nashvillian. When not touring with MW, he attends Belmont University in Music City. The youngest member of MW's band, Joe's bass playing and energetic stage presence have proven to be a great addition to the show. He is also the only member of the band to ever be "carded" on his way to the stage.

Philip Clark

tour manager and FOH tech

Philip is from New Zealand. Being outnumbered by sheep led him to the wolves in Nashville... Still alive though some say those days are numbered...

Eric Bartnes

production manager and lighting director

Eric "Cartman" Bartnes has been the lighting and set designer for Michelle for over 8 years. When he's not on the road with her, he is running his own lighting consulting company based in Toronto. His clients are mostly corporate firms requiring technical services or advice on staging events. If he is not working on the stage, you can find him on a back road on a motorcycle or flying across corn fields on his dirt bike.

Lori Poremsky

merchandiser, personal assistant to michelle

Lori has been assisting Michelle in one capacity or another since 1992. Initially she helped with the Fan Club and occasionally filled in as a merchandise vendor. Today she primarily handles merchandise and lends her organizational skills as a personal assistant to Michelle (although the band usually gets their wish list in there as well!). In general, if it's requested, Lori can make it happen. For Lori, the challenges of her job are more than offset by the opportunity to hang out and work with a great group of people. (And visiting and experiencing new places across North America is another definite plus...)

Daniel Nadasdi

keyboards & vocals, 1987-2008

Dan hails from Kingsville, in southern Ontario. His career as one of Canada's finest musicians was nearly diverted by a stint in the exciting world of high finance (read: accounting). Agile on the piano and quick with a calculator, Dan spent twenty years as Michelle's keyboardist, joining the band in October, 1987, and tickling the ivories until his departure in early 2008 to spend more time at home with his family. With the Michelle Wright Band Dan was a 3 time winner of the CCMA Backup Band of the Year award. Dan was picked as the 2001 CCMA All Star Band Keyboard Player of the Year - a well-deserved, and long overdue award. He's an avid golfer, an experienced long distance runner and a fine husband and father. We'll miss you, Dan!

Rick Marks

drums, trash can, programming, vocals, 2001-2007

A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Rick brought many skills to the Michelle Wright Band. He's a fine drummer who sings and has a deep knowledge of computers and related technology. His expertise in these areas helped MIchelle move to a whole new realm of sonic possibility. A fun guy to have around, Rick brings his video camera wherever he goes... We wish him all the best with his next adventures!