Forged from Fire is a coming-of-(old)-age odyssey — a deeply personal, autobiographical work that captures one vivid facet of my life’s journey. Both lyrically and musically, it traces the keystone moments, profound discoveries, lingering questions, and hard-won answers that have tempered and shaped the person I am today. Lisa LaRue, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, is a progressive rock keyboardist and composer whose career spans over three decades. Influenced by symphonic rock icons like Yes, Kansas, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, she launched her recording career with Dreamscapes, including a collaboration with Gong’s Gilli Smyth. She made history as the first female Native American artist signed to Sound of America Records with Beloved Tribal Women, featuring 14 paintings by Muscogee Creek artist Joan Hill. A pioneer in global collaboration, LaRue founded Lisa LaRue Project 2K9 (later Lisa LaRue 2KX), working with musicians worldwide. She has collaborated with John Payne (Asia), Michael Sadler (Saga), and contributed to projects with Esquire, United Progressive Fraternity, and Federico Fantacone. LaRue is also known for Children’s Songs in the Cherokee Language and is recognized in the Houghton- Mifflin Encyclopedia of Women’s History. Honored with multiple awards, including Native American Artist of the Year, she lives in Topeka, Kansas with her husband John Baker. Her 2025 album Forged from Fire continues her legacy of genre-blending innovation.