MEET THE BAND
Susie Major
Lead Vocal/Harmonica/Founder
Susie Major, the founder of RagDolls, had her start at 17 performing and writing in local rock bands in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. It was in Las Vegas when she was “discovered” by the writer/producers of the cult horror movie, Rocktober Blood and tasked with recording one of the main songs in the rock horror movie and wrote 4 songs for the movie’s soundtrack. Susie has also sung numerous songs for the SyFy Channel’s breakout cult phenom, Sharknado.
Susie went on to front her own bands, in particular the acclaimed Bay Area rock group, Cry Wolf. Through it all, she has been developing her songwriting skills and honing her rock vocal talents, as she leverages her impressive range and her mastery of emotional expression so vital for great rock singers. She has shared the stage with Queensryche, UFO, John Waite, Michael Schenker, The Tubes, and many others.
Giving anything less than 100% in every show is non-negotiable, just as it always was with Aerosmith, and could not be a fitting homage to their legacy any other way. If you want a truly authentic Aerosmith experience, and that includes iconic Steven Tyler screams… Susie Major is your singer, and RagDolls is your band!
Ali Handal
Lead Guitar/Vocals
Ramping up to perform the role of Joe Perry in RagDolls’ Aerosmith tribute shows was no small feat, but rather just the kind of rise-to-the-occasion challenge this highly respected guitar virtuoso was up for. Perry’s groove-filled riffs and formidable guitar solos are a hallmark of the shows, and Ali delivers them with astounding accuracy and all the feel and emotion that defines an Aerosmith concert.
Long a devotee of her Fender Custom Shop Telecaster, she’s enjoying becoming reacquainted with her Gibson Les Paul Classic Plus as she channels Joe’s onstage vibe and tone.
An accomplished songwriter in her own right, Ali has released 5 albums of original rock compositions, several of which have been featured in films and hit shows like Sex and the City, Dawson’s Creek, and in 2019, Fox Thursday Night Football. She’s toured internationally in Australia, Japan, and beyond.
In addition to having provided backing vocals for Neil Young, Ali shared the stage with songwriting legend Paul Williams as his featured vocalist. As a published author, she penned "Guitar for Girls" (Hal Leonard), a guitar method book & CD.
Masha McSorley
Guitar/Vocals/Music Director
Masha McSorley has been rockin' on guitar since the tender age of 12, growing her skills to evolve into a professional musician and amassing over 2 decades of live-music experience. A versatile performer, Masha has been a lead or backing vocalist, bassist, and guitar player in a range of original projects spanning metal, rock, funk, folk, alternative, and soul.
Masha's love for Aerosmith was the inspiration to start playing guitar, learning from the band’s albums as though Joe Perry and Brad Whitford were her guitar tutors, with Steven Tyler teaching her to sing like a rock star. The opportunity to play the very music that started her on her rock & roll path is a dream come true, and that enthusiasm is wholly evident in the mastery of her contribution to producing the live Aerosmith sound which made the band a legend.
And as RagDolls’ Music Director, she brings her 30-plus years of Aerosmith knowledge to the stage to recreate the authentic Aerosmith rock-show experience that draws accolades from even the most seasoned fans as well as from Steven Tyler and Joe Perry themselves!
"If music be the food of love, play on."
Tara Rae
Bass
Tara began her music studies at the age of 5, progressing through clarinet at 11, flute at 13, and electric bass and saxophone at 18. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music.
At age 17, she began training for a career as an audio engineer; spending years mixing both live and studio sound, including mixing records at the SSL Studio Southeast Recorders and teaching Audio Engineering at Houston Community College. She has taught private music lessons, including master classes, and does sheet music transcription, most notably for the Houston Ballet Orchestra and San Jacinto College Music Department.
Tara has been performing in bands since she was 18, including alto and tenor saxophone, flute, and electric bass. She has performed with the World Beat bands, The Swamis and Bacchanal, the Filipino folk-rock bands, Archipelago and Kayumunggi, and the Latin band Zun Zun.