The longtime Alice Cooper guitarist Nita Strauss will take a break from the band to have her first child this year. Her replacement will be the 22-year-old Anna Cara, born in Newcastle, England. She has previously played with Cooper’s guitarist Tommy Henriksen and with Krokus’s Marc Storace. Cara made her debut at Cooper’s "Welcome to Our Nightmare" shows, a collaboration with illusionist Criss Angel in Las Vegas last Thursday. “Nita found a brilliant British female guitarist to fill in for her while she is on maternity leave. Anna Cara is a beautiful dynamic shredder in the vein of Nita but with a style of her own. She will fit in with our gang perfectly while Nita is away and we can’t wait for the sick things to meet her. Welcome to the show Anna!” Alice Cooper said in an official statement. Anna Cara talked about joining Alice Cooper's band: “This is like a dream come true, to join Alice and his great band. Back when I started playing guitar at 14 I was watching Alice Cooper live shows on YouTube dreaming of joining one day! Nita Strauss is a tough act to follow, and she’s been so encouraging to me this past month, so I am looking forward to showing everyone who I am and what I can do,” Anna Cara said. Nita Strauss also talked about Cara and her break from the band. “When I was asked in an interview who I thought was the best up and coming guitarist, I had no hesitation in answering 'Anna Cara.' Anna’s precision and soulful, emotional playing will make her an amazing asset to the Cooper tour! Working with Alice for 12 years has been the experience of a lifetime and I look forward to seeing you all back on the road (with a +1 along for the ride!) Until that time comes, I know that the show is in good hands and the fans are in for a treat!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuRnSHjTxcA&pp=ygUJYW5uYSBjYXJh
