Las Vegas Weekly

Rustyn Vaughn Lee: Plugged in, rockin’ out

Rustyn Vaughn Lee

Photo: Bill Hughes

Hometown: Logan, WV

Age: 29

Profession: Singer/songwriter

Profile: Lee returned to his Vegas roots in 2002, bent on making it in music. Since then he has performed regularly at hot spots all over town including Mist, Ra Sushi, House of Blues and Downtown Cocktail Room, all the while waiting tables, valeting and barbacking to support his passion. Whether performing his original acoustic set or his energetic cover set with either a loop pedal or a full band, Lee says “conviction” is his trademark sound. Unlike many artists, Lee takes requests; if he doesn’t know it, he invites you to come back next time and by then he swears he wi—Wait a minute. Did he just mash-up Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” into Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall”?! Yes, yes he did.

Why I Do What I Do: “Once you do something you love for a living, once you get a taste of it, it’s a very big thing. It’s something I would do in my living room without an audience. And they’re paying me for it? It’s almost unfair! I just love music—it’s my passion.”

Personal Tidbit: When he’s not rockin’ out for an appreciative audience, Lee rocks the suit and tie as door manager of Aria’s new Gold Lounge. Both gigs require personality and panache and, Lee figures, the networking aspect of his “day job” doesn’t hurt either.

What I’m listening to: “Dear Agony,” by Breaking Benjamin

Latest Accomplishment: Lee’s first solo album, Human Nature, came out in 2009. He is currently in the throes of writing his second album, this time with a complete band.

Motto: “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” –Plato