Ric Farrah Review On the Rock & Load Show
Category: Music

6/27/07

..:

....

For publication contact:....

Ric Farrah - 615-773-1702....

ric@farrahphotos.com....

www.farrahphotos.com....

....

....

To everything there is a season, turn, turn turn. The Book Ecclesiastes /Music and Adaptation by Pete Seeger, The Byrds 1965

How To Start A Movement:
 
First off, start with a town like Nashville where the overabundance of creative talent is crammed tighter than vacuum tubes in a '60s Fender amp. Next gather some veteran "A" players from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Now, throw into the mix some of ..:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 />..:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 />..:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 />....Nashville....'s best and brightest up and comers and you have the trappings of a rock and roll revival.

....

"But wait", in the words of a late night infomercial, "There's more"!

....

Use this urbane cache of rock solid talent to produce a weekly show at an intimate SMV (small music venue) then broadcast the results, worldwide, on ....Nashville....'s only Internet radio station and now you have "Rock and Load".

Dan Shafer

....

The Rock and Load Show is the latest effort and brain child of veteran writer, producer and singer, Dan Shafer.  Rock and Load comes at a time when the pendulum is swinging back from a metal genre.  Younger audiences, moving away from "new rock", are discovering the musical depth, passion and precision of "classic rock". New rock has long been abandoned by baby boomers, for being less about the music and weighted more in favor of a strong, often violent, visual production.  As a result, a resurgent audience crossing a generation is clamoring for the intricate complexities of a musical presentation that of such greats as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Paul Rogers, Steve Winwood, Roger Gilmore and the countless others who gave heart and soul into their music.  Contemporary country music which has contributed to and capitalized on the baby boom migration by incorporating extremely talented players dedicated to their craft and many of the licks and riffs that captivated rock aficionados for years.

Abe White

Shafer and his Rock and Load cohorts are using The Rock and Load Show as a vehicle of revival; a destination stop for a swinging pendulum and two generations of rock and roll fans. 
  ....

....

The show features new original music with a classic rock feel performed by the core band featuring Rick Benick, Tommy Hatcher, Abe White, Jimmy Clark, Dave Lemmonds and Roger Osborne, followed by a showcase of up and coming bands or players dedicated to the sound and zeal of a bygone attitude. The show ends in a jam session of sorts performing cover tunes that most "boomers" could sing in their sleep. Because of the tonal precision and musical cunning of such accomplished players the jam session alone is worth the price of admission.  One could close their eyes and go back in time to the original concert. And why not, most of the players on Rock and Load were performing at those concerts. There is also an added surprise element during the jam session because you just don't know who might be in town to show up and get down.

(Left to Right) - Rick Benick & Tommy Hatcher

....

Most notable about Rock and Load is the commitment to quality.  The players are a given being ....Nashville.... without argument is home of some of the best musicians in the world; but it doesn't stop there. The show is performed most fittingly on "Music Row" at the 300 seat SMV known as Code Blue located at ....1907 Division St.....  While Code Blue is a very nice room, the sound system alone is reason enough for fans of live music to visit the club. Industry pros will readily recognize sound engineers Brett "Scoop" Blanden and Bob Gulley who maintain and operate "the desk" as tops in their field.

Roger Osborne

Jimmy Clark

....

Shafer is adamant that his show isn't about him or his band mates of seasoned veterans.

....

....

"This is a revival", Shafer maintains.

"We are focusing on Rock & Roll. Providing an outlet for new groups as well as partnering with friends who are veterans with a desire to make a difference, raising the bar creating a viable rock scene here in ....Nashville.. ..TN...."

....

....

....Nashville.... rockers feeling the void of new music in a classic rock format will truly enjoy the time spent and the reasonable ticket price for this show. The heartfelt lyrics, gutsy passionate vocals, blazing instrumentation with the subtle intricacies that stand the test of time all blend for a rockin' good time.....

....

....

Particulars:
....

....

            Where:  Code Blue 1907 ....Division St... ..NashvilleTN......

            When:  Wednesday Nights – Doors open at 8pm.....

            Tickets:  $5.00 Cover....

            Drink Prices:  Moderate....

            Lines of Sight:  Great for early arrivals. Fair otherwise.....

            Sound: Exceptional
            Lighting:  Better than average for a Nashville SMV but just okay....

            Talent:  Exceptional....

            Internet Broadcast:  Thursday night 9pm at http://www.realityradio.biz

....

....

Rock and Load Band Members and Credits
....

....

• Vocals – Dan Shafer, Mercenary – Portrait Records, worked with Rusty Daddio, (Ronnie James Dio & Ritchie Blackmore), Orphan – Polygram Records, and Face the Music with Jerry Love at Paramount Famous Music.....
• Guitar - Rick Benick who played with Mitch Ryder, Roadmaster, and Henry Lee Summer.....
• Guitar - Tommy Hatcher of Ten Ten, Working Mothers, and Uncle Sam.....
• Bass - Abe White who has toured with Larry Carlton, Acoustic Alchemy, The Neville Brothers, Zak Wylde, Big House, Hal Ketchum, Keith Anderson, and The Cold Truth.....
• Keyboard - Roger Osborne formerly with Empire, Henry Lee Summer, Atlantic Records' Fifteen Strings, RedRum ....
• Drums – Chores shared between:....
  • Jimmy Clark - Blonde, Scandal and the Romones....
  • Dave Lemmonds. - Hal Ketchum, Dualtone Records recording artist David Ball, and Rascal Flatts.  Lemmonds extensive studio work includes sessions with personnel from Mellencamp, Van Zant, Elton John, and Billy Joel.....

....

....

Ric Farrah is a twenty plus year veteran of the entertainment industry. Formerly working in the ..Los Angeles.. market as a manager and producer, Farrah sold his agency and relocated to ....Nashville.... in 1992. He currently works as a freelance photographer and writer.  Farrah provides photographic services to the entertainment community, businesses and families. If you would like your event considered for publication please send contact info to ..prolooks@farrahphotos.com...