Kevin James LaBrie (born May 5, 1963) is a Canadian vocalist who is best known for being the lead singer in progressive metal band Dream Theater. Kevin James LaBrie was born in Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada and started singing and playing drums at age 5. He was in several bands by his mid-teen years as either a drummer or a vocalist. In 1981, at the age of 18, he moved to Toronto to try to further is musical pursuits. In 1991, he learned that the progressive metal band Dream Theater was on market for a singer. He sent in a tape and was quickly flown to New York for a full audition. He was chosen above 200 other vocalists trying to get the part. Having two Johns (Myung and Petrucci) in the band already, and with another Kevin in the band, LaBrie dropped his first name and adopted his current stage name of James LaBrie. LaBrie had a significant impact on the vocals melodies of Dream Theater, but he has had little input on the instrumentation of Dream Theater's music. He has written lyrics for at least one song in seven out of nine albums Dream Theater has released with him in the band. Images and Words and Black Clouds & Silver Linings did'nt have any of his lyrics.