Randy Rogers Band Interview

The Randy Rogers Band Takes Some Time Before A Show To Answer A Few Questions!

Last Friday I had a 6:30pm appointment to have a sit down with the guys of the Randy Rogers Band (“Kiss Me In The Dark“, “In My Arms Instead“, “Interstate“, “Buy Myself A Chance“, “Down and Out“) in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the 1st annual Festival On The Border. It was a great day, so I have decided to start this piece from the VERY beginning…

With my notepad and press pass in hand I arrived at the Riverfront Amphitheater on September 9. I got to the venue in plenty of time to pick up my ticket and all access pass, as well as make my way to the backstage area. I asked for my envelope of goodies and the nice women working the ticket booth were sad to report they had nothing for me. Not worried, I called the tour manager (Kyle) and told him my predicament. He assured me not fret and wait right where I was. A few minutes later I was picked up in a golf cart by a nice man and jetted to the opposite side of the grounds where crew members were busily working away. There I was escorted to one of two tour busses, where my new friend and I knocked on the door. While waiting for a bus driver or manager to invite me in, I was surprised when out walked Dierks Bentley! He greeted us, drink in hand, and headed towards his own bus. Knowing this was going to be a great night I climbed aboard the bus eager to get my interview started!

Brady Black (fiddle), Geoffrey Hill (guitar), Les Lawless (drums), Jon Richardson (bass) and Randy Rogers (lead vocals, guitar) were all ready and gracious enough to answer some questions for me. Here are some things I thought you, the readers, would be interested to learn…

This was the bands first time to play Fort Smith, let alone the amphitheater, and they were really excited for the show! I asked about life on the road and they all agreed it can be rough at times, but they find ways of passing the time. When in cities with history such as Fort Smith, they walk around and check out the sites and museums. At the points of a tour where they find themselves playing a show in a field somewhere they play “Washers” and hang out with the other bands.

No matter where they are or what they do in their spare time, Randy believes that everything is worth it for the show, “My favorite part of the day is the 90 minutes on stage.”

I believe that statement, especially since the guys had two shows the next day. They planned on hitting the road around midnight to head to Texas. There they would play in College Station and then Texas City, both events were festivals.

Along with many others, the band is working on a fundraiser of some sort for everyone affected by the Texas wildfires. They couldn’t imagine not helping out, especially since most of the fires have practically been in their backyards. Fiddle player Brady Black has even taken some of his free time to volunteer and encourages anyone with firefighting experience to help out if they can.

When I asked them how they felt about being looked up to by numerous bands and fellow artists they laughed. At first they said it was because they were older, but then humbly expressed how they were appreciative for such a compliment!

They too have bands they look up to and enjoy playing with including Dierks, Robert Earl Keen, Reckless Kelly and many others. Something they are pretty excited about is their upcoming tour with fellow Lone Star native, Miranda Lambert!

When I saw the color guard walking by through the windows of the bus I decided that it was time to say goodbye! I thanked the guys for their time and headed toward my spot on the lawn. Luckily, I didn’t miss a word of the National Anthem! It was a great show and by the reaction of the crowd I’m going to say everyone there enjoyed it!

At the moment writing and recording are taking place for their next album. Their label hasn’t given them an exact release date, but be looking for it sometime in 2012!