Meet the Band

Carl Peterson - Lead Vocals, Guitar

Starting with his first guitar at age 10, Carl has been singing, playing and writing music. After graduating from Cleveland High School he joined his first band with friend (and future Flight Deville bandmate) Dave Newton.   Carl used has natural vocal talents to play in open mikes and began playing in local rock and roll bands in recent years.   When he and good friend John Tirabasso met one day and were between bands, Flight DeVille was born.  Carl took the Flight DeVille reference from Chuck Berry’s song “You Can’t Catch Me”. Carl lives in Milwaukee and lists the Beatles, Tom Petty, The Byrds and Crosby,Stills, Nash and Young as his big influences.

Jim McMartin – Bass

Starting at 16 in the Bay Area, Jim played bass in every kind of setting from acoustic, jazz influenced groups, rock cover bands and toured throughout the western states in Rim Canyon Band in his early years.  He also plays in an acoustic project and a Joni Mitchell Tribute band. Jim has a minor in music from San Francisco State University and currently lives in Scappoose Oregon.   Musical influences include Jim Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Strength in Numbers and Pink Floyd.

Roy Soards - Lead Guitar, Harmonica, Backing Vocals

Beginning with a Sears guitar for Christmas in 7th grade, Roy has played acoustic guitar and banjo with string bands and backed singer songwriters.  In recent years has focused on the electric guitar and blues harmonica, happily landing with Flight DeVille when it was started in 2017. He also plays in an Americana acoustic/electric project and backs a local singer/songwriter.  A longtime Southeast Portland resident, major musical influences are Bruce Springsteen, Emily Lou Harris, Jerry Garcia, Buddy Guy and The Allman Brothers Band. 

John Tirabasso - Drums

A native of Kansas City, John cut his musical teeth in the 60's and 70's on funk and R&B, along with KC's rich jazz & blues scene.  He is also heavily influenced by '69 Woodstock line up, the 60-70’s San Francisco rock and roll scene, along with the British explosion, including Zeppelin, Cream, Hendrix,  etc.
His dad, John Tirabasso Sr., was a career jazz drummer. From his earliest days John was was immersed  in percussion instruments. He starting playing them when he was 15, with his dad as teacher. (Fast forward, after a 40 year absence) In 2010, John picked up the sticks again, and since, has played in several bands in a range of styles. He and good friend Carl Peterson met one day, realized both had the same musical vision, and decided to start what has become Flight DeVille. John lives in Southeast Portland with his dog Oscar. His new project, a Soul, R&B, Funk band, Redemption, is fronted by a nationally recognized percussionist and singer.

Dave Newton - Keyboards, Vocals

Starting with the Cleveland High School Clevelandaires, Dave earned a music degree from Lewis and Clark College studying piano and choir direction.  He sang with the Norman Leyden Singers with the Oregon and Seattle Symphony Pops series and the gospel quartet the Grace Brothers.  For 24 years, he was the keyboard player and manager of the successful local rock band PDX.  Dave lives in Southeast Portland.  Lifelong musical influencers for him include Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Beach Boys and Norman Leyden.   Dave performs periodically as a solo piano act and as a duo with fellow Flight DeVille member Carl Peterson.