"Francis Dunnery departs Asia, one-time performance in, due to incompatibility in character and musical approach with John Payne"
Asia Featuring John Payne Bids Farewell to Francis Dunnery
After a brief stint, Francis Dunnery has parted ways with John Payne's version of the legendary band, Asia. The announcement came following a single performance in New Platz, New York last Saturday.
In a candid social media post, Dunnery revealed that he felt he couldn't meet the musical demands required for the role. He acknowledged that his personality and playing style did not align with the diverse styles and sounds present on the band's records, and that there were better players suited for the job.
Dunnery, who was described as a "musical genius" by Payne, expressed his respect for the band's needs and his own musical identity, which did not align with Payne's vision for the guitar role. He wished Payne and the band all success in the future and aimed to prevent any negative rumors that could potentially harm the band.
The band, known contractually as "Asia featuring John Payne," had announced Dunnery's joining a couple of weeks ago. They were in the middle of writing a new album, AVIANA, at Loco Studios in Las Vegas. The band was also planning to hit the road in August.
With Dunnery's departure, Payne is now on the hunt for a new guitarist. The band's next gig is scheduled for August 12 in Tomball, Texas. Payne and Dunnery had a great musical chemistry, as stated by Payne, but Payne cannot afford to carry a guitarist who is not fully committed at this stage of the game.
Francis Dunnery's posts about his departure can be found on his social media account (@thelifefarm).
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