Payton Rose Velligan is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter born and raised in Charlotte, NC. She specializes in lead and backing vocals, guitar, bass guitar, classical piano, and keyboards/synthesizers. One of the newest members of “Weird Al” Yankovic’s band, Payton recently returned home from an epic summer traveling the U.S. on the 2025 “Bigger & Weirder” tour. Some of her favorite moments from the tour were playing for sold-out crowds at Madison Square Garden, Red Rocks, and the Kia Forum. She is ecstatic to be re-joining “Weird Al” and the band for the second leg of the “Bigger and Weirder” tour in summer of 2026! You can also catch her on the road with Landslide - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac playing the role of Christine McVie and The Camera Eye - A Tribute to Rush as Geddy Lee.

Payton took her first professional steps as a performer at the age of fifteen as lead singer and bassist of the band Irrashional, a Rush-tribute-turned-original group which sought to revive the sonic glory of the 1970s. The band composed and independently released two original EPs: Closer Than You Think (2018) and Beyond (2019).

You may also know Payton as the guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist for DECARLO (Charlotte-based band), and the bassist/vocalist for the Tommy DeCarlo and the Music of Boston touring project. Payton co-wrote and released two original singles with frontman Tommy DeCarlo, who is best known for being a former vocalist for the legendary rock band Boston; Meet Me in the Middle (2023) and It’s Always Been You (2024).

Payton graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a major in Music and a minor in Arts Administration. Her favorite thing about college was broadening her study of piano and music history while spending her weekends traveling and performing across the country.

Payton is a proud “rock revivalist” whose greatest passion is creating music authentically and from the heart. Her greatest inspirations hail from the 1960s and 70s and her original music reflects the influence of bands such as Led Zeppelin, Heart, Rush, and the Beatles. Her debut solo single, “Unforgettable You” will be available on all streaming platforms on March 6, 2026. Producer and engineer Cliff Calabro has said about working with Payton: 

“As a producer, it's a blessing to work with an artist who can ‘speak the language' and can relate to the influences of the greatest music ever. She is a joy to work with and has so much to offer the world with her talent and I'm excited to help her reach her full potential!”

Offstage, Payton loves to get lost in works of classic literature, Shakespeare’s dramas, and ancient philosophy. She is a 5th gup (Brown/Green belt) in Tang Soo Do and working towards her black belt. She also loves painting, stargazing, baking, mountain biking, and designing and sewing costumes. Most of all, she is grateful to spend time with her family and all the friends she has met during her travels.