Dave LaRue is the bass player with the virtuoso rock group Flying Colors. He is also a long-time member of the instrumental groups the Steve Morse Band and the Dixie Dregs as well as being the bassist for John Petrucci’s solo band. LaRue’s technical prowess is formidable among other jazz-fusionists, but his unique talent is to project his virtuosity with remarkable soul and feel.

LaRue continues to be the go-to guy for many leading guitarists, having worked with Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Vinnie Moore, The Hellecasters, Pat Travers, Steve Lukather, Mike Stern, Eric Johnson, Andy Timmons, Albert Lee, Paul Gilbert, Tony MacAlpine, Rik Emmett, Ace Frehley, and Steve Vai.

Education is a big part of Dave’s career, beginning with an instructional column for Bass Player magazine (for whom he also served as a member of the Advisory Board). LaRue also does clinics internationally for Music Man and was an adjunct professor at Stetson University in Florida. He teaches privately at Bass Central in Orlando when not on the road, and does lessons via Skype with students from all over the world. Dave followed up his Essentials (Alfred Music) instructional video with a series of video lessons released on JamPlay.com.

Education

Bachelor of Music, the Berklee College of Music, Boston.

Awards

Two Grammy nominations with the Dixie Dregs, in 1992 for "Bring 'Em Back Alive", and in 1994 for "Full Circle". Dave has finished in the top 10 in the "Best Overall" category in the Bass Player magazine Readers Poll in 1993, '94, '95 and '96. He also finished third in the "Best Rock Bassist" category in Guitar Player magazine in 1994. Dave received the "Lifetime Achievement Award for the Advancement of Bass Guitar" at the 1996 Florida Guitar Show.

Recordings and Performances

In addition to 6 Flying Colors records, 8 Steve Morse Band and 3 Dixie Dregs albums, Dave released a solo record entitled "Hub City Kid". In 2020 Dave and partner Glenn Alexander released a new recording entitled L.A.X. He is featured on both of John Petrucci’s solo recordings including 2022’s acclaimed Terminal Velocity. Along with John and Mike Portnoy, Dave toured the U.S.A. in support of that record. He is also featured on the Joe Satriani DVD/CD, "Live In Anaheim", and has recorded with Vinnie Moore and Planet X, among others. A partial list of the people or bands Dave has recorded or performed with includes the London Symphony Orchestra, Deep Purple, Bruce Hornsby, Mike Portnoy, the Hellecasters, Pat Travers, Tommy Lee and Vince Neil (Motley Crue), guitarists John Petrucci, Steve Lukather, Joe Satriani, Guthrie Govan, Mike Stern, Eric Johnson, Andy Timmons (Danger Danger), Steve Vai, Albert Lee, Vinnie Moore, Paul Gilbert, Tony MacAlpine, Rik Emmett (Triumph), and Ace Frehley (Kiss).