Life, Love and Lyrics... exploring the songwriting process.

Billy Burke (Actor/Musician - Twilight)

An accomplished musician, BillyBurke plays the guitar and piano and performed with the rock band The Outcast Theater in Seattle for many years. He released his latest solo album at the end of June 2010. You can download the first single off the album for free at www.billyburke.net/album. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife (also an actor), Pollyanna, and their daughter, Bluesy LaRue, who was born during the first Twilight.

In the Twilight Saga, Billy Burke plays Kristen Stewart’s devoted father (‘Charlie Swan’) who does the best he can to protect his daughter from the supernatural love triangle that she is entwined in.
 
Coincidentally, Burke was born and raised in Bellingham, Washington -- not far from where the Twilight series filmed. The versatile actor has been honing his craft for years and has a solid resume including feature films such as “Untraceable”, starring opposite Diane Lane, “Along Came A Spider” and “Fracture.”  He was also a series regular on the TNT series “Talk To Me” and “The Dark,” as well as “Wonderland (ABC) and “The Jury” (Fox). Billy continues to build his resume, adding the independent film “Highland Park” in which he stars opposite Danny Glover, “Drive Angry” (Summit Entertainment) starring opposite Nicolas Cage in a dark comedy playing a cult leader, and the summer 2010 TNT series “Rizzoli & Isles”. The success of Twilight has been a delight for Billy – though in all of his wildest dreams (or should I say nightmares?) he never anticipated that he’d be followed by groups of young girls!

Mark Bryan (Hootie & the Blowfish)

Mark received his Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of South Carolina in 1989.  He is a founding member, songwriter and the guitar player for multi-platinum Hootie & the Blowfish and has spent the last 20 years recording and touring.  He also has two solo albums to his credit.
 
Since moving to Charleston in 1999, Bryan has produced 5 full-length albums, as well as co-written, and produced countless songs, for other artists.  He was also instrumental in developing the College of Charleston Radio Station.
 
Recently, Bryan has formed the Chucktown Music Group in order to release the material he is writing, producing, and recording, and to help promote the Charleston music scene.  Mark is also the Chairman of the Board for Carolina Studios, a non-profit after school music recording and technology program for kids 8-18.

Thomas Ian Nicholas (Actor/Musician - American Pie)

Thomas Ian Nicholas knew he wanted to be an actor when he began his career at the age of seven portraying a young Tony Danza on "Who's the Boss?" Since his debut, he has landed many guest and lead roles on television including a guest starring story arc on the last season of "Party of Five." He also starred in family feature films including "Rookie of the Year," "A Kid in King Arthur's Court" and it's sequel, "A Kid in Aladdin's Palace". His most memorable role is portraying Kevin Myers in the smash hit comedy "American Pie" and it's blockbuster sequels "American Pie 2" and “American Wedding.”

Thomas Ian Nicholas has got a lot to say on his second solo album, Heroes Are Human. In fact, Thomas pens songs about all kinds of revolutions—from personal and emotional revelations to perspectives changing on a mass scale. However, the riff is just as mighty as the word for Thomas, and there's no shortage of infectious, soulful rock on the new album. "Bittersweet" seesaws from an undeniable hook to heartfelt verses, while "Wake Up" pulsates with palpable sonic energy.