Roy Rogers - RSS Feed

News: Holiday Week End Shows!

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Hello Slide Zone Fans! Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy this holiday week - end with your favorite slide guitarist in Novarro at The General Store near the Mendocino Coast and at the regional favorite at BBQ on the Green at Ranco Nicasio this Labor Day Week-end. Bring those dancing shoes!

Show: Sep 16, 2010 @ Lakehills Green Above Town Center

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings

Show: Dec 31, 2010 @ Miner's Foundry

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0800

New Years Eve in Nevada City! Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings with Bob Woods Trio Opening!

Ticket Announcement Soon!

For those of you who like to fly in - lots of wonderful Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts in Nevada City within walking distance!

News: In The Studo

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers is in the editing and mixing room this week for two new projects. He will be mixing and editing the new PBS special, taped last June and then heads in to Studio D in Sausalito this week with Ray Manzarek (The Doors) mixing their new blues/rock project. Look for a bevy of fall dates to be posted very soon!

Don't miss Roy and the band at Rancho Nicasio on Labor Day Week-end!

News: Roy Rogers' Back from Canadian Festivals!

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Roy and the band just returned from Ottawa Blues Festival and Tremblant Blues Festival to standing ovations and an inspiring performance. Thanks to all the fans and friends who came and supported the band and the festivals up in Canada - wonderful!

Show: Sep 21, 2010 @ Pebble Beach

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Private - September 21 - 24th, 2010

News: Roy Rogers HD PBS Special - Taping Thursday

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0800

It's finally here!

Thanks to our family of friends at PBS station KVIE in Sacramento, California, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Peter Berkow - their producer - we are shooting a fantastic HD special program this Thursday that is looking like it's going to be historical. Special guests are Ray Manzarek (The Doors) and Ramblin' Jack Elliott + also, Carlos Reyes - one of the most amazing musicians you will ever hear. Look for this program in late fall for PBS pledge drives!

More fall dates to be announced soon!

Here's what happened:

On June 12th, at Saturday nights benefit concert in Guerneville (Sonoma County, California) after the power went out during the show, Roy Rogers suffered severe chest pain and was taken by ambulance to Sutter Hospital in Santa Rosa. A quick on their feet Emergency Team & Cardiology unit assessed the pain, diagnosed and treated a mild heart attack. A stint was inserted quickly and he is now resting and recovering well.

“God pulled the plug on the power so that he wouldn’t have to pull the plug on you,” said long time fan and co-writer Donna Johnston.
As the Doctors told Roy - “It wasn’t your time.”

News: Summer is Here! Gearing up for PBS Special!

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0800

We had a fantastic time in Italy with the sold out Tribute Shows to Umberto Tonello. This included a first visit to Sardinia's newest Jazz Club, Birdland. Sardinia is an incredible island off the Italian Riveria coast and the sold out crowd welcomed Roy with open arms. So fun! Thanks to Paolo Bonfonti and all of his associates in Northern Italy for making this tour so successful.

Now we're back and some choice shows to look forward to as we welcome Summer weather in Northern California.

Head on over to the Russian River this week - end and catch Roy and the band at the benefit concert event "Keeping The Blues Alive" for the Guernville community. (June 12th) Then comes a nice outdoor Father's Day concert in the park in Ukiah the following week-end. (June 20th)

In addition, we are gearing up for Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings June 24th HD taping at KVIE studios for PBS. Very exciting! Special Guests include Ray Manzarek, Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Carlos Reyes.

More shows to be added each week - so check the website often. As always, thanks for supporting live music! Travel safe this summer!

News: Italy Tribute Concerts for Umberto Tonello

Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 -0800

On our way to Italy for to be with some very special friends in Tribute to Roy's long time agent and freind Umberto Tonello, who passed away last year. Umberto was one a special man, and rare human being with a huge heart for the blues. We are hitting some different venues and cities this time in Italy, Roy performing with Paolo Bonfanti Band and also duets with Paolo - in a rare series of shows.

See all shows now posted on the website.

Show: Oct 09, 2010 @ Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings

Show: Sep 25, 2010 @ Black Oak Casino

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers 7 The Delta Rhythm Kings

Show: Sep 12, 2010 @ Redding Veterans Auditorium

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Concert: Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings

opens for Johnny Lang

Show: Sep 18, 2010 @ World Records Festival

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0800

News: Ray Manzarek & Roy Rogers In Studio

Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers & Ray Manzarek are in Studio D in Sausalito, California this week recording a new project.

The release is scheduled for the fall. More show dates to be added soon! Happy Spring!

News: Roy Rogers Delivers Great Performances!

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Check the show dates often! The spring and summer is starting to rock and roll!

PBS HD Shoot Date now June 24th! Subscribe to our newsletter for more details!

Italy & Brazil in the works!

'Pundits who bemoan the scarcity of guitar gods haven't laid ears on Roy Rogers, whose slide riffs could peel a crawfish!" ~ USA Today

'One of the rare guitar heroes who values feeling over flash' ~ Rolling Stone

'Many guitarists dabble in slide guitar, but the number of modern masters can probably be counted on one hand, and Roy Rogers is surely one of them.' ~ Guitar Player

'He's one of the most astounding guitarists working today....' ~ Blues Review

Show: Sep 11, 2010 @ Umpqua Wine & Art & Music Festival

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings

Afternoon Show!

News: New Co Partners for Mardi Gras Valentines Day Costume Ball

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Mardi Gras and Valentines Day Week -End Collide! Saturday February 13th, 2010

Proud to announce that Gold Country Wine Award Winners Naggier Winery, and our amazingly fresh seafood guru - Nevada City Seafoods will be providing some wonderful additions to our wine & food menu and event on February 13th. Eric from Nevada City Seafoods is doing a fresh oyster & prawns bar for our VIP's - and we are flying in King Cakes from New Orleans for dessert - the event space is just gorgeous. Hope you can join us for this memorable and fun evening.

More information on www.sierramountainproductions.com Bon Ton Roulet! XX Gaynell

News: Ray Manzarek & Roy Rogers Head To Northwest

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

If you are any where near the North West this week - end head on over to the shows with Roy Rogers and Ray Manzarek stiring up Tales, Conversation, Blues and Rock and Roll history. (See show dates.)

More exciting announcements with our friends at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and PBS in a few weeks. Check the site often. We have some really great surprises in store......

News: A Celebration of A Life - Tribute To Norton Buffalo

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

This week - end Roy Rogers joins Steve Miller, Bonnie Raitt, The Doobie Brothers, Huey Lewis, Charlie Musselwhite, Elvin Bishop, George Thorogood and many others as they share the stage in honor of our much loved friend and amazing musician Norton Buffalo. For those of you who can't join us - please keep all of us in your thoughts as we face this difficult loss together. He is celebrated today and always. He is missed - he will never be replaced - and we'll never ever forget his kind and amazing spirit, and the gifts he gave to all of us. All the best, Gaynell

News: A New Decade Upon Us!

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Happy New Year from The Slide Zone!

A new decade is upon us, and with it a fresh start. We have so many new friends and fans around the world - that we hope to see many of you this coming year with Brazil, Norway & Europe in our sights for 2010. An East Coast U.S. run is long overdue - and we know many of you have been waiting a long time for Roy and the band to come your way. WIth your support, we can continue to bring Roy's performances around the country and the globe. We have lots of projects in the works, and feel continuously blessed to have these performing and touring opportunities.

We've posted some new shows on the website today - and hope those of you in the Bay Area will join us at Rancho Nicasio on this Sautrday night (January 2nd) and say hello A rare mid-winter performance in Marin - hope you can join us!

As most of you know - the passing of our dear friend Norton Buffalo was a huge shock. It is still sinking in. But with it comes some solid life lessons. Hug the ones you love, do what you want to do NOW - and keep your eyes and heart on what's really important to you, your family and friends.

We wish you good health, safe travels and good things to come for the coming year.
All the best,
Gaynell

News: Happy Holidays To You!

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Thanks to all our friends and fans worldwide who have made this an incredible year for Roy and the band. We are truly blessed to have this amazing support.

It's been quite a year with 'Split Decision' garnering more airplay than any other release - over 300 stations in a broad spectrum of programming and radio stations across the land ; major accolades in regards to the cover story in Blues Revue this month, great press in USA Today, Billboard, Offbeat, Guitar Player and regional newspapers across the country - not to mention all the music blogs and webzines! Many thanks to our incredible team of folks at Bling Pig Records, Max Horowitz at Crossover Media, and Chip Shultzman at Miles High Productions for making sure this release received the wide exposure it deserved.

In the coming week the band goes to Brazil to perform (!) and then on to Florida for a few dates!

A wonderful celebration is planned for our special New Year's Eve show at The Big Room with our good friends from The Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico, California. Come on out and enjoy this fantastic evening!

More dates for the new year are coming in every day - so check the website often!

Have a safe, healthy and wonderful holiday!

News: November 2008 Update

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

"Roy Rogers is somewhat of a rarity in contemporary blues; he's not only a monstrous guitar player, but is also possessed of a distinctive singing voice. In addition, he differentiates himself from the Chicago-style ... by concentrating primarily on Delta-influenced slide guitar. By no means simply a revivalist, however, he's managed to take the best of Son House and create a unique style that is much more than the sum of its influences" ~ All Music Guide

From time to time, we like to look back at the past reviews and quotes. The above quote was written by the "All Music Guide" for the release of 'Slide Zone' - now available again, in the 'Best of Two' compilation released last year. These recordings were off the market for some time, and it's is a rare treat -as in the early 90's to record with the great Allen Toussaint from New Orleans, and banjo great Bela Fleck - was somewhat of a rarity. Their visibility was nothing like it is today. Back then, Roy heard the quality and future of such collaborations. If you don't have a copy - we hope you'll go to the Music Store on the site and order one for your collection.

This fall & winter Roy is focusing on a new recording - and is in writing mode. The band is back from it's Northwest swing up in Port Townsend and Whidby Island and gearing up for some limited performances in late fall. Only three more times to see Roy Rogers & the band that remain this year. On November 14th at Crystal Bay Casino (with Pine Top Perkins), the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 29th at 142 Throckmorten in Mill Valley, California - and New Year's Eve in Grass Valley, Ca. at The Center for The Performing Arts. Hope to see you at these shows and have a great Thanksgiving!

News: Roy Garners Third WC Handy Nomination

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers Garners Third Nomination for W.C. Handy Award for Best Blues Guitarist

Novato, California - Congratulations to master slide guitarist and producer Roy Rogers for garnering his third W.C. Handy Award nomination as Best Blues Guitarist in the Instrumentalist category for 2005. Rogers continues to build accolades for his latest release Live! From the Big Room at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company; the album has received four-star reviews across the country and has been played on over 200 blues specialty radio programs. This Rogers also picked up a nomination for the prestigious W.C. Handy Award in the Best Instrumentalist Guitar category in 2003 for his release "Slideways", which hit #3 on the Blues Billboard chart.

Drawing on inspiration and material from a career that spans decades of performing behind him, Roy Rogers is considered one of the world's leading players of modern slide guitar. Now with this nomination, Rogers is once-more recognized as a weighty contributor to the Blues community. "We were thrilled with the results of last year's event, and think it reflects the growing popularity and diversity of the genre," noted Kevin Kane, Blues Foundation President. "We look forward to a bigger and better show in 2005 and encourage everyone to go online to participate in the voting process and to purchase tickets before they are gone," he added. Online voting begins December 16, and is restricted to Blues Foundation members only. Voting, ticket and host hotel information can be found at www.blues.org.

Performers, industry representatives and fans from around the globe arrive in Memphis, where W.C. Handy penned the first published Blues song, to celebrate the best in Blues recording and performance from the previous year. The W. C. Handy Blues Awards are universally recognized as the highest honor given to Blues artists.

The W.C. Handy Blues Awards are produced by The Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization established to "Preserve, Celebrate and Support" Blues history, Blues excellence and Blues education. The Foundation consists of a worldwide network of 140 affiliated Blues societies and has individual memberships spanning the globe. In addition to the W.C. Handy Blues Awards, the Foundation also produces the Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, the International Blues Challenge and the Keeping the Blues Alive Awards. For more information or to join The Blues Foundation, log onto www.blues.org.

Previously nominated for 8 Grammy's for his production and performance work in the recording industry, Rogers' has been immersed in the blues and roots scene for many years, performing professionally since the age of 13. In addition Rogers' recently co-wrote the song "G'Nawin on It" (on 'Silver Lining') with Bonnie Raitt which was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Female Rock Vocal Performance category. Last fall, Rogers, who lined up such big-name collaborators as Carlos Santana, Keith Richards, and Los Lobos for John Lee Hooker, saw the release of 'Face to Face', a 15-track collection of outtakes mostly from the Grammy winning original Virgin Records Hooker sessions of the early 1990's, which he initially produced.

Rogers is currently being featured on 'Sierra Center Stage', the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company-sponsored television series which seeks to bring exposure to underexposed American Roots and World musicians. 'Sierra Center Stage' enjoyed over 170 broadcasts on public television this summer, being aired on over 50 stations and hitting more than 32 million households, according to Go Public!, the program's public television firm.

Rogers and his band, The Delta Rhythm Kings, are performing nationally to support the new television series and his newly released live album. Touring the globe since 1982 including performances in Europe, South American, Australia and as far away as China, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings continue to delight fans with their powerful performances. Rogers adds, "Clearly people are still moved by the blues - it doesn't matter if it was cut in 1942 or 1986 or yesterday. It is still music that means something. I feel very fortunate that I'm able to be a part of that." Inspired by the reaction of his fans, Rogers decided to record the shows in the Big Room and to compile them onto disc with special guest performances by pianist Phil Aaberg, harmonica wizard Norton Buffalo, vocalist Shana Morrison and fiddler Tom Rigney.

In addition Rogers has a weekly radio program called "Under The Influence". The Saturday morning radio show is heard on the KRSH FM radio station in Sonoma County and the North Bay and will be looking to syndicate in 2005. With over 80 shows already recorded, the program covers the 'influences' of music from jazz and blues, to rock and roll and swing music and everything in between with Rogers discussing the genres and the influences of each focus. "I'm having a ball with it" says Rogers.

For more info please contact Media Maven Katrina Markarian or Leslie Loy at Segue Entertainment (707) 578-6728; Katrina@segue-ent.com or Leslie@segue-ent.com.

###

News: Roy Rogers Partners with Guitar.com for Guitar Giveaway Contest

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers Garners Third Nomination for W.C. Handy Award and Partners with Guitar.com for Guitar Giveaway Contest

Novato, California - To celebrate the release of his Live! album and show his appreciation for public television and radio, Roy Rogers is partnering-up with KRCB to give a solo home concert for the first person to donate $1,000.00 in this year¹s annual fund drive. Rogers, an eight-time Grammy-nominated producer and guitarist, has been featured on albums with Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Zucchero and more.

Rogers has also joined with Guitar.com to give away an autographed Epiphone Blues Master guitar which he hand-picked from his personal collection. The guitar is a small-body guitar with a similar styling, neck and tonality and acoustic blues sound as his 0-16NY (New Yorker) Martin. It has a wide, fat neck and is joined at the body at the 12th fret instead of the 14th, a feature which Rogers is a fan of. The guitar was played once by Rogers, and is one which Rogers has cherished and has wanted to do something special with for quite a while. To enter the contest (which anyone can do), simply go to Guitar.com and click on the ³Get the Blues² promotion on their homepage. The contest will end on January 31, 2005.

In addition, join us in a warm-hearted congratulation to Rogers for garnering his third W.C. Handy Award nomination as Best Blues Guitarist in the Instrumentalist category for 2005. Rogers continues to build accolades for his latest release Live! From the Big Room at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company; the album has received four-star reviews across the country and has been played on over 200 blues specialty radio programs. Rogers also picked up a nomination for the prestigious W.C. Handy Award in the Best Instrumentalist Guitar category in 2003 for his release "Slideways", which hit #3 on the Blues Billboard chart.

Rogers and his band, The Delta Rhythm Kings, are performing nationally to support the new television series and his newly released live album. Touring the globe since 1982 including performances in Europe, South America, Australia and as far away as China, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings continue to delight fans with their powerful performances. Rogers adds, "Clearly people are still moved by the blues - it doesn't matter if it was cut in 1942 or 1986 or yesterday. It is still music that means something. I feel very fortunate that I'm able to be a part of that." Inspired by the reaction of his fans, Rogers decided to record the shows in the Big Room and to compile them onto disc with special guest performances by pianist Phil Aaberg, harmonica wizard Norton Buffalo, vocalist Shana Morrison and fiddler Tom Rigney.

Rogers has a weekly radio program called "Under The Influence". The Saturday morning radio show is heard on the KRSH FM radio station in Sonoma County and the North Bay and will be looking to syndicate in 2005. With over 80 shows already recorded, the program covers the 'influences' of music from jazz and blues, to rock and roll and swing music and everything in between with Rogers discussing the genres and the influences of each focus. "I¹m having a ball with it," says Rogers.

For more info please contact Media Maven Katrina Markarian or Leslie Loy at Segue Entertainment (707) 578-6728; Katrina@segue-ent.com or Leslie@segue-ent.com.

###

News: Roy Rogers Performs at New Orleans Jazz Fest

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers Performs at New Orleans Jazz Fest and Garners Third Nomination for W.C. Handy Award for Best Blues Guitarist

Novato, California - master slide guitarist Roy Rogers and The Delta Rhythm Kings will be performing three times in New Orleans at the end of April.

4/29/2005 The Parish, House of Blues, 10:30PM; tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased at www.hob.com.

5/1/2005 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; the show will take place at the Race Course at the Heritage Fairgrounds. Tickets for the Heritage Festival can be purchased at the Festival's Web site, www.nojazzfest.com, at all Ticketmaster outlets, and by phone at (800) 488-5252 and (504) 522-5555 in New Orleans. Advance daily tickets will be $25. Tickets at the gate will be $35.

5/1/2005 Rock 'N' Bowl Slide Guitar Summit with Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings and Guests, Mid City Lanes, beginning at 9:00PM; tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased at http://www.rockandbowl.com.

Congratulations to master slide guitarist and producer Roy Rogers for garnering his third W.C. Handy Award nomination as Best Blues Guitarist in the Instrumentalist category for 2005. Rogers continues to build accolades for his latest release Live! From the Big Room at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company; the album has received four-star reviews across the country and has been played on over 200 blues specialty radio programs. This Rogers also picked up a nomination for the prestigious W.C. Handy Award in the Best Instrumentalist Guitar category in 2003 for his release "Slideways", which hit #3 on the Blues Billboard chart.

Drawing on inspiration and material from a career that spans decades of performing behind him, Roy Rogers is considered one of the world's leading players of modern slide guitar. Now with this nomination, Rogers is oncemore recognized as a weighty contributor to the Blues community. "We were thrilled with the results of last year¹s event, and think it reflects the growing popularity and diversity of the genre," noted Kevin Kane, Blues Foundation President. "We look forward to a bigger and better show in 2005 and encourage everyone to go online to participate in the voting process and to purchase tickets before they are gone," he added. Online voting begins December 16, and is restricted to Blues Foundation members only. Voting, ticket and host hotel information can be found at www.blues.org.

Previously nominated for 8 Grammy's for his production and performance work in the recording industry, Rogers' has been immersed in the blues and roots scene for many years, performing professionally since the age of 13. In addition Rogers' recently co-wrote the song "G'Nawin on It" (on 'Silver Lining¹) with Bonnie Raitt which was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Female Rock Vocal Performance category. Last fall, Rogers, who lined up such big-name collaborators as Carlos Santana, Keith Richards, and Los Lobos for John Lee Hooker, saw the release of 'Face to Face', a 15-track collection of outtakes mostly from the Grammy winning original Virgin Records Hooker sessions of the early 1990's, which he initially produced.

Rogers and his band, The Delta Rhythm Kings, are performing nationally to support the new television series and his newly released live album. Touring the globe since 1982 including performances in Europe, South American, Australia and as far away as China, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings continue to delight fans with their powerful performances. Rogers adds, "Clearly people are still moved by the blues - it doesn¹t matter if it was cut in 1942 or 1986 or yesterday. It is still music that means something. I feel very fortunate that I¹m able to be a part of that." Inspired by the reaction of his fans, Rogers decided to record the shows in the Big Room and to compile them onto disc with special guest performances by pianist Phil Aaberg, harmonica wizard Norton Buffalo, vocalist Shana Morrison and fiddler Tom Rigney.

For more info please contact Media Maven Katrina Markarian or Leslie Loy at Segue Entertainment (707) 578-6728; Katrina@segue-ent.com or Leslie@segue-ent.com.

###

News: Roy Rogers Launches the New Slide Zone Website

Fri, 22 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers Launches the New Slide Zone Website

Novato, California - The new website of master slide guitarist Roy Rogers and The Delta Rhythm Kings is now online, having been successfully re-launched in anticipation of Rogers' upcoming performances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, The Parish Room/House of Blues and Mid City Lanes/Rock 'n' Bowl in New Orleans next week. The URL is www.roy-rogers.com.

The website now provides streamlined navigation through Rogers' latest projects. It includes performance dates, press clippings, reviews and information for the media and provides insight into Rogers¹ history. There are also updates in the easy-to-use music store and information on all of Rogers' thirteen releases.

Check out the latest information on the public television series Sierra Center Stage' episode which featured Roy Rogers on over 170 broadcasts on public television last summer, after being aired on over 50 stations and hitting more than 32 million households, according to Go Public!, the program's public television firm. Sierra Center Stage is now taping 13 shows and will re-launch in 2006. (Visit www.sierranevada.com/sierracenterstage.)

In addition, the site provides information on Rogers' third nomination for a W.C. Handy Award as Best Blues Guitarist in the Instrumentalist category for 2005; results will be on May 5th. Drawing on inspiration and material from a career that spans decades of performing behind him, Roy Rogers is considered one of the world's leading players of modern slide guitar. Now with this nomination, Rogers is once-more recognized as a weighty contributor to the Blues community.

The new roy-rogers.com, designed by Steve Pennington of Quadramedia, will provide detailed information on his continued support for Sierra Center Stage, his new album Live! From the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's Big Room, and his radio program "Under The Influence", which airs every Saturday morning on KRSH FM radio in Sonoma County and the North Bay and will be syndicated later this year. A DVD release is in the works for release during the holidays 2005.

Join us in our celebration and visit the newly-renovated website of Roy Rogers at www.roy-rogers.com.

For more info please contact Media Maven Katrina Markarian or Leslie Loy at Segue Entertainment (707) 578-6728; Katrina@segue-ent.com or Leslie@segue-ent.com

###

News: Benefit for Drummer Billy Lee Lewis

Fri, 28 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Benefit for Drummer Billy Lee Lewis
Bay Area Musicians Gather to Take Care of Their Own
Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings
&
The Tommy Castro Band
Plus Very Special Guests
December 5th at Slim's in San Francisco

San Francisco, California - Highly regarded Bay Area drummer, Billy Lee Lewis, who has toured and recorded with some of the best known Northern California recording artists including Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane) and Tom Johnston (Doobie Brothers), has recently been diagnosed with cancer and has been in treatment for the past five months. For the last two years Billy has been touring and performing with Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings and for the previous seven years he performed with The Tommy Castro Band.

Billy Lee hails from Louisville, Kentucky, and has performed professionally in bands and on recording sessions for over 35 years (Billy has performed behind the likes of Booker T. Jones, Chris Isaak, Dan Hicks, Narada Michael Walden, among many others, and has garnered platinum albums with "Survivor" and Marty Balin). Married to singer/songwriter Jessie Turner, the couple live in Oakland with their 18 month-old son, Will; they have been struggling with the throes of endless medical appointments, treatments and the side affects of the extremely aggressive treatment that Billy has had to endure. This has all taken an enormous toll on their financial stability and family life. As a result, local artists have taken it upon themselves to take care of one of their own.

On Monday, December 5th, 2005 at Slim's (333 11th Street) in San Francisco, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings and The Tommy Castro Band will host some very special guests to raise funds for the Lewis family as they continue to confront this illness. There will also be a silent auction with signed guitars, trips to the wine country, exceptional bottles of wine, music memorabilia and more. All proceeds will directly benefit Billy Lee and his family.

Doors open at 7:30PM and the concert will begin at 8:00PM. Minimum donations are $25.00 and tickets are available online at www.virtuous.com, www.tickets.com, via email at sales [at] slims-sf [dot] com or by calling (415) 255-0333. Please visit the venueÕs website at www.slims-sf.com for directions.

Artist sites:
www.roy-rogers.com
www.tommycastro.com

For more information contact Katrina Markarian, Segue Entertainment, at Katrina [at] segue-ent [dot] com or (707) 578-6728.

###

News: New Release "The Best of Two"

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers Releases "The Best of Two": 'Slide of Hand' and 'Slide Zone'

A Compilation of 18 songs Featuring Guest Artists Allan Toussaint, Charlie Musselwhite and Bela Fleck

"Roy Rogers means the modern master in the art of slide guitar...His versatility with the technique is nothing short of astonishing." ~ All Music Guide

Nevada City, California - A stellar career enjoyed by few guitarists of our time, award winning producer and slide guitar virtuoso Roy Rogers is releasing "Best of Two." This re-issue is a compilation of 18 songs from Rogers' favorite releases of the 1990's - "Slide of Hand" and "Slide Zone" recorded during his years at Capitol Nashville/Liberty Records. These recordings have been unavailable for several years. Street date is October 9th. Distribution will be handled by Burnside.

Somewhat of a maverick in Contemporary Blues, Rogers' is known for his eclectic and distinctive slide guitar sound. He likes to 'shake it up a bit' with melodies, arrangements and songwriting skills. "Best of Two" features 18 original songs in the rock/blues genre. Featured on "Slide of Hand", there are two songs with the great New Orleans producer/composer/pianist Allen Toussaint entitled "Cure for An Achin' Heart" and "Bull Hog Grind." Featured on 'Slide Zone' are tracks with Charlie Musselwhite on "Livin' on Borrowed Time" and two tracks with banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck - "Ode to the Delta" and "Off the Cuff". Also, there is a rousing track featuring pianist Phil Aaberg (Peter Gabriel, Elvin Bishop) - entitled "Rough House."

Roy Rogers is one of the premier slide guitarists performing today. In February 2007 he was named by Guitar Player Magazine as one the the country's most admired "Unsung Heroes." His ability to electrify and move audiences to their feet is well known. He has 8 solo recordings and has been featured as a guest artist on many others including work with Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Sammy Hagar and Jason Newsted. His early film work included "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and also "The Hot Spot" which he recorded with Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker and Taj Mahal which garnered a Grammy nomination. (Photos of this session are posted in the photo gallery at www.roy-rogers.com)

In addition Rogers' is featured on the new public television series "Sierra Center Stage" now airing across the country (produced by The Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.) He has recently recorded a duet release with Ray Manzarek (The Doors) entitled "Ballads Before The Rain" and is working on a oral history recording with Ramblin' Jack Elliott.

Rogers' has been nominated for many awards in the U.S., France and Australia. He has garnered two Grammy nominations and 6 Grammy Award winning credits as the Producer for John Lee Hooker and Ramblin' Jack Elliott releases. He has also been nominated for three W.C. Handy Awards for Best Guitar Instrumentalist. He has appeared on numerous television shows (Late Night with David Letterman) festivals, and special events throughout the world including Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Notodden (Norway) and The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (USA).

"Rogers is an exceptionally articulate slide guitarist, either he's scorching Robert Johnson's Ramblin' Blues or taking a lovely, lyrical journey or rockin' it out. One of the rare guitar heroes who values felling over flash." ~ Rollling Stone

Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings consistently tour the U.S., Canada and Europe - this year performing in Italy, Brazil, Norway, Denmark and Australia. Please see current dates below and additional dates at www.roy-rogers.com:

September 12th - Santa Fe Station, Las Vegas, NV
September 13th - Boulder Station, Las Vegas, NV
September 14th - Humphries, San Diego, CA
September 21st - Batavia College Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, NY
September 29th - Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival, Sonoma, CA
October 19th - Arena Theater, Point Arena, CA
October 20th - Concord Oktoberfest, Tondos State Park, CA
October 22nd - Midtown Music Hall Bend, Oregon
October 26th - Lefty's, Salem, Oregon
October 27th - Upstage, Port Townsend, Washington
November 3rd - The Raven Theater - w/ Ray Manzarek
November 17th - Crystal Bay Casino, Lake Tahoe, NV w/ Ray Manzarek
November 24th - The Throckmorton Theater, Mill Valley, CA
November 30th - Adelaide International Guitar Festival, Australia
December 8th - Cultural Arts Center, Grass Valley, CA

* October 31 - November 2nd - Artist in Residence at Peninsula College, Washington

Look for these additions! Soon to be posted on You Tube and My Space:

"Bad Situation" Video - from 'Slide of Hand'
Footage from "Late Night"
Commercials from 'Coors' and 'Levis 501 Blues'
Roy Rogers & Norton Buffalo Video
Rare footage of Roy Rogers featured with John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt on "Late Night - A BBC Special" in which he was Musical Director

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News: Happy New Year to Our Fans and Friends Worldwide!

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

We've had a restful and terrific holiday season with friends and family, and we're now gearing up for a much more vigorous touring schedule in the United States and abroad for 2008. Already on the books are dates in Denmark and Norway, and we are working on dates in Italy, Brazil, and Spain, as well as all major U.S. festivals and special events. Roy is preparing for a new band recording, a film documentary project (to be announced soon), and continuing his producer role with a project for Ramblin' Jack Elliott.

The release of two of Roy's favorites last fall, "The Best of Two," was terrific—on the national Living Blues Chart (#12)—a lot of great reviews across the industry. The disc was played on over 90 stations across the country, including Blues Deluxe, a syndicated radio program that goes to over 101 stations. Really outstanding for a reissue from Roy's early recording career, and we appreciate all the support (and love!) out there! Stand out tracks that were favorites were "Get Back in Line"; "Cure for an Achin' Heart," featuring Allen Toussaint; "Rockin' at the Hey Hey!," about that legendary Houston club; and "Livin' on Borrowed Time," featuring Charlie Musslewhite. Thanks for all of your great response to this recording!

Look for our new CD Winter Sale to be posted this week in Roy's music store!

January includes some stellar shows, so if you're in the area, don't miss them!

January 11
San Francisco, California
Roy Rogers & Ray Manzarek
At the Fillmore
Benefit for the Bill Graham Foundation
Headliners include Linda Ronstadt/Aaron Neville, Phil Lesh, Jackie Greene, Ramblin' Jack Elliott and more

January 12
Newman, California
Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings
At the Newman Theater

January 19
Redwood City, California
Ray Manzarek & Roy Rogers
At Little Fox

January 26
Santa Cruz, California
Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings
At Moe's Alley, Santa Cruz, California

There's a lot more to report in the coming weeks. For booking, please contact Stephen Gordon at Savoy Music: gordoom@aol.com. See you soon! "Roy Rogers' guitar work combines the speed of Olympic lugging, the slashing rhythm of a speed-skaking spent and the acrobatics of a downhill skiing." –Art Tipaldi, "Blues Revue," March Review of "Best of Two"

"An amazing collection of songs..." –The Blues Hound, KPFT, Houston, Texas

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News: Just Announced: Worldwide Virtual Performance at Videoranch on January 26!

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Just Announced: Worldwide Virtual Performance at Videoranch on January 26! Live Performance at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz, California, on January 26!

Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings will be playing LIVE in Videoranch on Saturday, January 26, at 3 p.m. Pacific Time. This is a virtual concert, so you attend by logging on from a computer. You do not have to leave your house!

Showtimes Around the World
Pacific Time: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Mountain Time: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Central Time: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Eastern Time: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
UK: 11 p.m. to 12 p.m.
European Continent: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
New Zealand: Sunday, 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Sydney AU: Sunday, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tokyo: Sunday, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

What is Videoranch?
Videoranch is a membership-based, 3D virtual world on the Internet, where LIVE musical performances are video-cast, seamlessly embedded, and viewed, in real-time, by a virtual audience made up of people logging on from all over the world.

To attend the show, you need a high-speed Internet connection and a newer computer with Windows on it.

Watch It Live: Go to www.videoranch.com, click "Enter," then click "Visit Videoranch3d." This will take you to a page where you can download the browser and log in as a "Visitor." You can become a "Ranch Regular" by signing up for a FREE 7-Day Trial from the same page. No payment information is required. Ranch Regulars have unlimited access and full software functionality! Note: 7-Day Trials are set up manually by Videoranch, so please sign up well in advance of the show.

Interact with the Artist: Once inside Videoranch, you can move around, dance, cheer, chat, and meet other Videoranch patrons. Roy Rogers and the band will be able to see your Avatar and read your comments LIVE, so be sure you let them know how much you are enjoying the show and Videoranch! Ranch Hands will be on duty to help you and will greet you the moment you log on. Find out more information by emailing vr3d@videoranch.com.

And here is a blurb from the upcoming issue of Singer and Musician magazine:

"Imagine a place where the air is clean, the temperature is always in the pleasenties, you are surrounded by nice folks, and there's a live band that knows you by name. Plus, there are free movies and hot-air-balloon rides. It's Videoranch, a virtual world cooked up by Michael Nesmith (onetime member of the Monkees and, more importantly, music-video pioneer). Feel free to roam the ranch at your leisure, and then check out the event calendar for upcoming live groups. I popped in on a Sunday afternoon and was immediately greeted by name (my chosen nickname) by the house band, Ranch Dressing (these guys are great!). A bit later, the Refugees took the stage for a full hour live show. Other performers have included the John Jorgenson Quintet, Eliza Gilkyson, James McMurtry, Laurence Juber, Laura Love, Mumbo Gumbo, the Greencards, Ledward Kaapana, Tony Furtado, and Jason Nesmith. What makes this so unique is that the band is actually playing in real time from a studio. And, as they know who is coming and going, they can interact with you (actually, your avatar). It's very much like just hanging with some friends and listening to some great music is in an intimate, outdoor atmosphere. And, after the band has gone home, you can stroll the ranch's tree-lined cobblestone walkways in search of some interesting and fun surprises or even get a look at the virtual facility from in the sky onboard a hot-air balloon." –Robert Lindquist, Singer and Musician magazine

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News: Fall Update

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

On October 3rd don't forget to go see Roy and Norton at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley. Norton's been on the road all summer with The Steve Miller Band, and Roy's been touring with The Delta Rhythm Kings - so this is a rare treat to see them together. See details on the site or venue websites.

On October 4th - Roy will be sitting in with the Peter Welker Big Band, a benefit for the Carosel Fund at the Petaluma Community Center. This will be a great one - and you can be sure Roy will have a blast playing with a large orchestra type of setting.

Just in - the festival in Halifax festival has been canceled this week -end.

Financial woes to be sure! So sorry!

More highlights this fall and early winter includetwo special benefits at the end of September, a run up to the Pacific Northwest at the end of October (23rd Whidbey Island, 24th & 25th at The Upstage in Port Townsend) - Nov. 14th at Crystal Bay Casino with Pinetop Perkins (A Blues 'Ball') , and a Thanksgiving week-end show on November 29th at the lovely 142 Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley; also a New Year's Eve Show at the Center for The Performing Arts in Grass Valley, California.

Thanks so much for supporting live music! We feel very lucky to have all of you as our supporters, continue to spread the word to your friends and family (it really helps!) and know that the 'Roy Man' is movin' and a shakin' it down!

All the best, Gaynell Rogers

News: Hello - WOW It's August!?#!!

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

in Three Forks, Montana - Rockin' at The Rivers (8/8), up in Grant's Pass, Oregon at the Rouge Theater (8/16), a new venue in Corvallis - The Tyee Wine Cellars (8/17 among other dates (check the show date page!.) On 8/21 it's back at the Copia Center in Napa, Ca. in the middle of the beautiful wine country. Also this month a wonderful benefit for our new place of residence - The Nevada City Land Trust - great organization (8/23), and The Long Beach Blues Festival (30th) and Eurekas' Blues By The Bay on the 31st. Please come up and say hello - and pass the word on to your friends. Our fans are our best street team to spread the word for your favorite slide guitarist. And, as always, thanks!
All the best, Gaynell

News: Happy Summer!

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The summer is off to a great start with special events, festivals and such going really well. Had a great time at Coloma Blues Live! where Roy had Curtis Salgado sit in on a tune or two. It was smokin'!! The band is now leaving for a tour of Norway where they will eat lots of salmon, drink with the locals and try to make their cell phones work in the fjords. :) Also, Jessica Rogers is the roadie! (Her graduation present - get to work girl!) So see you all in July and thanks as always for supporting live music.

News: Festival Season off to A Stunning Start!

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It was great to see a lot of old friends this past Memorial week-end at the new Yoshi's in San Francisco (wow what a club!!) and at the Sonoma Jazz Festival. Thanks for coming out!! Two amazing shows to be sure. The show at Yoshi's was just astonishing - the band just kicked it in to gear full boar and it was big fun. At Sonoma Jazz Bonnie Raitt had Roy sit in as a special Guest. They performed "Walkin' Blues" acoustically (amazing!!), 'G'Nawin On It" a song they wrote for her release 'Silver Lining' - with her band, and "Never Make Your Move Too Soon" for the encore. All I can say is that it was pure unadulterated magic. Bonnie is singing and playing better than ever before - she is so stunning, solid and impressive - and Roy just made it a "combustible combo baby!!" - adding his stellar tasty slide to hers. Such great fun and damned inspiring. Next show should be a great one as well at Coloma Blues Live on June 7th where Roy and The Delta Rhythm Kings are sharing the bill with Los Lobos, Tommy Castro and others. This is a great intimate festival nestled in the Sierra Gold Country in the Lotus Park area on the American River. Come on down! Thanks once again for supporting live music. Yours from The Slide Zone, Gaynell Rogers

News: Yoshi's / Sonoma Jazz & KFOG Appearances This Week!

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

as well at around 8 am - ish!! The summer gets off to a roaring start at Coloma Blues Live on June 7th where Roy and the Delta Rhtyhm Kings join Los Lobos and Tommy Castro and others. Then it's to a favorite Bay Area haunt - The Little Fox on June 13th. So dust off those winter blues and come dance up a storm, get your heart rates up and support live music in Northern California! More news to come....

News: Jessica Lee Rogers Graduates from College

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

You can send your greetings to jessicaleerogers@gmail.com or you can mail her a greeting at Jessica Rogers/1007 Cuerto - Unit'C', Ft. Collins, Co. 80521. Including her semester abroad at Middlesex University in London last fall, she's completed in 4 years and has worked extremely hard. So congratulations Jess from all of us!!!

News: Hot May Shows & New Release 'Ballads Before The Rain' from Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

May brings a wonderful slew of opportunities to come out and support Roy and the band in the Bay Area.
For the first time Roy will appear at the new Yoshi's in San Francisco May 23rd - so please make your best effort to support that show- this is a new club in SF and we'd love to show it some great support. Also, one of our Sonoma favorite's is The Mystic on May 9th. And on May 25th Roy will be the Special Guest of Bonnie Raitt at Sonoma Jazz.

'Ballads Before The Rain" , on the Friday Music label distributed by Ryko/Wea - from Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers is now out! It's available in our Music Store and also in actual 'stores' - if you can FIND a music store these days!! The nine instrumental works are beautifully recorded and cover a wide range of genres. The much emulated keyboard style of Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers' unique guitar work carry on throughout all of the works contained in the debut release. No foreign to the classics, the two even combine their talents and visit Eric Satie's Grossienne No. 1 , as well as deep blue etchings by Roy Rogers on 'Remembering You' and 'Ruby Red Nails.' There are also two stunning 'Doors' covers. They will be performing tour dates later in the year.

News: Roy Rogers Shows Not to Be Missed

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The 2008 schedule is filling up, and we'd like to highlight some of the more unusual shows that you may not want to miss.

Coming right up are dates in Las Vegas (at Boulder Station on February 28); Bakersfield, California (at Double Tree Ballroom on February 29); Tuolumne, California (at the Black Oak Casino on March 1); and Tahoe City, Nevada, for great co-bill with Marcia Ball (at the Crystal Bay Casino on March 8). The band then heads to Calgary for a March 14 concert at Quincy's, and to Bow Island in Alberta, Canada, on March 15 for the Blues at the Bow Festival—a great run for this time of year.

There are also some great West Coast regional dates, including one of our favorite venues in Seattle, the Triple Door (a two-night run on April 24 and 25); the Rouge in Grants Pass, Oregon (August 16); the Sierra Nevada Brewery "Big Room" in Chico, California (April 28); and the Coloma Blues Festival on the American River in Lotus, California (June 7)—so lots to check out and plan for. We advise to check the site often for updates every week.

Some other unusual festivals to look forward to include a date in Montana called Rockin' the Rivers Festival in Three Forks (August 8) and the Great Atlantic Blues and Beyond Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia (September 21). More festivals and special events are coming in weekly, so stay tuned.

On April 8, look for the new release Ballads Before the Rain, a duet from Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers, being released by the Friday Music Label distributed by Ryko/Warner Brothers. It should garner some interesting media attention, as the duet covers some different musical soundscapes. This instrumental recording is filled with richly textured tones and features a beautifully recorded acoustic grand piano with acoustic and electric guitar accompaniment. Material includes mostly original compositions by Manzarek and Rogers, as well as some select covers, including "Gnosssienne" (Eric Satie), "El Amor Brujo" (Manuel de Falla), "Riders on The Storm" (the Doors), as well as a magnificent solo-piano version of the Doors' "Crystal Ship." Another creative stretch for this contemporary slide guitarist.

So that's all the new that's fit to print so far. Check the site often, and remember—we encourage you to always support live music!

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News: KVMR Live Broadcast April 28th! from The Big Room at The Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Time to pull back the rugs in your living room and put on your dancing shoes! Our Sold Out show, April 28th in The Big Room at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico will be broadcast with Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings concert LIVE! on KVMR in Nevada City and KZFR in Chico and brought to you for your listening pleasure worldwide on the internet. Go to www.kvmr.com / www.kzfr.com. It also happens to be our 24th wedding anniversary so expect some special things that night!

News: Our favorite new media write-up

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0800

See our favorite new media write-up below. Thanks for all the great comments on PBS' Sierra Center Stage—it's all going very well, and the broadcasts are widespread across the country!

From The Good Times/Santa Cruz County's News and Entertainment Weekly Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings at Moe's Ally in Santa Cruz: "I know what comes to mind for some of you when you hear that a blues act is playing Santa Cruz: Great, another headful of predictable 12-bar strolls, recycled guitar licks and stale-beer howlings from some guy who can't find his baby. Well, like the gunslinger of the same name, slide guitar badass Roy Rogers is going to blow you right off your high horse. Thirty seconds of Rogers' music will show anyone with working ears that he kicks some down-home Delta tail. Rogers fires a few warning shots from his six string and then tears into a hellacious roadhouse rocker, playing like a man who wants to take over the world. There are the kind of guitar fireworks that get you making ooh-damn faces and contemplating a soul mortgage at the cross-roads." —Damon Orion, Good Times News and Entertainment WeeklyThanks Damon! All the best, Gaynell Rogers

News: Pollstar: Roy Rogers: Slide Guitarist Extraordinaire

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers: Slide Guitarist Extraordinaire

Roy Rogers has been playing the blues for over 30 years. Known as one of the leading slide guitarists in the world as well as for producing records for John Lee Hooker and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Rogers is the epitome of the modern traveling blues musician, playing gigs big and small throughout the world. Recently, he released "Split Decision," which he describes has having a bit more “edge” than his previous recordings.

Roy Rogers

"There’s nothing better than when you’re playing in front of a crowd ... If that ever gets old, you better give it up."

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We recently had the pleasure to speak with Rogers when he called from his home in Nevada City, California, right before he hit the road with The Delta Rhythm Kings.

Not a lot of blues artists can say they were born in Redding, California, and grew up in Vallejo.

That’s where the influences came from. A lot of came out of Vallejo, or were in and around Vallejo. One of my first guitar teachers played with Sly Stone. That’s going back to the late ‘50s, early ‘60s.

A lot of bands came out of Vallejo. Vallejo was always the place where R&B performers played. I caught the tail end of that stuff when I was a kid. Actually, a little bit before my coming up. Vallejo, for the shipyard thing, was always one of the stops for the circuit. James Brown used to always hit there in the old days. Bobby "Blue" Bland – people like that. I got to see B.B. King the last time he played the local vets hall. Right before he played the Fillmore. That was ’66, maybe 67.

How old were you when you first picked up the guitar?

I was 12.

Was it always blues?

No. I was a little rock and roller at the beginning. I got into a band early on, like ’63. We were wearing gold lamé jackets, doing steps and doing Bo Diddley, Righteous Brothers and Chuck Berry. And then I got into the blues soon after – John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed – people like that. Didn’t get into delta blues until a few years later.

That whole period was such an exciting time. It used to be you could go to the library and get those great Library of Congress recordings. Those would flip me out. You had to find the right record store to find the stuff. You couldn’t go to just any record store and find Bobby “Blue” Bland or Little Walter.

But to make a long story short, my older brother brought home Robert Johnson: King of the Delta Blues Singers, and that was it. I said, “What is this? This is something completely different.

What’s your vision of the perfect blues club?

Plays all different kinds of music. It has to be music that is not just in a certain genre of blues defined by somebody. It has to be in a broad context. It’s gotta be open to new stuff coming down the pipes as well as old stuff.

The young guys are always going to redefine the music, as they should. I would have a club that is open to all kinds of music within the genre. A lot of people sometimes want to put it in a box, and I’ve never been one of those.

A Man On A Mission

"They never had to tell me to practice. I loved the guitar. I loved practicing. When I got into a band it was like, “Wow! What was that?” All these guys are playing together."

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One of the first blues artists you worked with was John Lee Hooker.

Yes, but before that I worked with Luther Tucker, but just played local gigs. Luther never really hit the road. Then in ’82 I joined Hooker’s band.

Was it kind of daunting to work for an already established act like Hooker?

Naw. Not at all. It felt real comfortable. I was steeped in John Lee’s music, and I was hired to play in his band. I actually met him at the first gig in Detroit with the band. I can see where it might seem formidable, but I knew his music, and was so steeped in that stuff that I was excited about it, and I didn’t see it as a daunting task.

Everybody who has played with Hooker has stories to tell.

John really knew the power of his music. For me, the story about John Lee Hooker is that he is one of the few men I’ve ever met that was so in touch with himself. He could move people across the board with his music. And he knew it. He knew the power of that. He respected it.

And he could draw upon that source anytime he felt like it. He didn’t always feel like it, maybe. But anytime he felt like it, he could get down as deep as you can get. I saw him do it in the studio when I was producing him. On gigs, the hush of the crowd that was, you know, boisterous and drinking and having a good time, all of a sudden you could hear a pin drop. Very few cats can do that.

You’ve been touring for three decades. Does the fire still burn? Does it feel as new as when you first started?

Maybe the travel gets old, but not the gigs. I can truthfully say that. There’s nothing better than when you’re playing in front of a crowd. Whether it’s a small club, a festival, a big club – it doesn’t matter. There’s nothing like that communication that can happen between a performer and an audience. That will never get old. If that ever gets old, you better give it up.

Every gig is still like waking up in the morning, saying, “I’m alive. It’s a new day. It’s a new audience.” You give it your best shot. You never rest on your laurels. Ever. That’s the worst possible thing a performer can do. And you always stretch it.

A lot of people ask me, “How do you produce a record?” And I say, “good question.” Ask about a hundred different producers and you get a hundred different answers.

While performing, do you still transcend the moment, leave civilian Roy Rogers behind, and transform into something bigger onstage?

That’s the allure of the live performance. You’re always going for that, and that’s something that doesn’t happen all the time. Nor could it happen all the time. Yes, that’s what you’re striving for. That’s an intangible thing. How does that happen? I hope that always remains the secret. I hope nobody unlocks that key or has a microchip that says this is what will get you there.

Bonnie Raitt, Roy Rogers

Fundraiser for widows and orphans of the terrorist attacks.
October 7, 2001

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You’ve been touring for more than 30 years. How has the concert industry changed during the past three decades?

Dramatically. You had a fundamental change, not only in the powers that be, but local promoters, festival sponsorship, how people approach certain festivals in certain musical ways. You had a contraction, certainly, of people who were marginal … and now they’re out.

But I think, in general, the concert business is still healthy, because people will always go out and see live music. I think the contraction of it, though, has lessened, in some degree, the breadth and variety of music that’s available for people to listen to.

Even with the Internet, it’s a big thing. It’s harder for people to advertise and get their music out there. They still have to go through the same type of difficulties of staging a show or advertising a club. How are they going to define the audience?

We have the baby boomers that have grown up, and now you have the younger generation that has a different type of music. So, how does a club define what audience they’re going to draw? Can they draw an audience? It’s really defined on where you are and where you’re at.

You have to have a game plan. You’ve got to define what you’re going for. That’s really a big change. But in reference to any kind of artist, it’s more calculated in a way. It was a little looser. Economics define that, in a large part.

There are fewer radio stations. If you compare the amount of radio stations playing music today. I couldn’t quote the numbers, but it’s got to be 10 to 1.

Maybe if you’re talking about terrestrial radio, but there’s Internet and satellite.

There is satellite radio, but not everybody gets satellite radio. And with Internet radio, you have to know what you’re looking for. I think that’s going to come on strong.

In reference to concerts, it was much more ‘out there,’ if you will, in a non-defined way. I’m not saying it was better, necessarily. That’s just a dramatic way in how you promote things.

But blues has always spread through word-of-mouth, with fans discovering and telling other fans about new music. And the Internet boosts that experience to the 12th power where word-of-mouth is a global connection.

That’s still going to happen. It’s very similar. It’s on a grander scale. Like taking a record and saying, “check out this guy.”

Caution: Fingers Working

"Every gig is still like waking up in the morning, saying, “I’m alive. It’s a new day. It’s a new audience."

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You’ve worked with people who are not considered blues musicians – Sammy Hagar, Linda Ronstadt – is there a pop record you’re on that nobody associates with you? Like a secret hit, because you played on somebody else’s record that shot up the charts?

Speaking of Sammy, when he left Van Halen, he wrote a song called “Little White Lies,” and I was on that recording, and that was a pretty good size rock hit for him. I don’t think people realize that I’m on that record.

I get a lot of calls and comments about a soundtrack that was just a real blessing to be on. There was a movie a few years back. Actually it [the soundtrack] was nominated for a Grammy. It’s called Hot Spot. That was with Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal and myself. A lot of people don’t know about that, but the people who do say it’s one of their favorite soundtracks. The movie was with Don Johnson and Virginia Madsen. The movie is OK. The soundtrack is superb.

Dennis Hopper was the producer. He wanted to have his favorite jazz musician – Miles Davis – and his favorite blues musician – John Lee Hooker. Basically, Taj and I were in support of those guys. If you check it out, you would dig it.

What can you tell us about your new album, "Split Decision?"

It’s got a lot more edge than my previous albums. I went for a different kind of sound. Guitar-driven stuff. It’s a normal, Roy Rogers eclectic mix of songs and material, I’ll tell you that. I’ve never been a straight-ahead blues guy. I wrote and recorded all the songs.

I do a duet with Ottmar Liebert, which is slide and flamenco, which is kind of cool. It’s got my band rocking away. You gotta have those big grooves to have what you want to do, song wise.

We got a saxophone on this record. George Brooks, a very good jazz saxophonist plays on a couple of tunes that are instrumentals. I did an all-instrumental record a few years back – Slideways – that was kind of cool to explore without vocals.

So I did a combo play. But I think overall, it’s got an edge. I wanted to tell more stories, songwriting wise, not your average boy-meets-girl kind of thing. I wanted to explore some new topics and songwriting wise, it’s taken it to another place for me. It really comes out of the sounds. There are lots of guitars.

Roy Rogers

"I still think in terms of a complete album. I don’t think in terms of tracks. The sequence is super important in a recording for me. The overall sound and how the sounds go together."

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I still think in terms of a complete album. I don’t think in terms of tracks. The sequence is super important in a recording for me. The overall sound and how the sounds go together – I’m very conscious of that. Always have been as to how the record comes together.

It’s like when you used to put a record on. It takes you on a journey where you’re going somewhere. You have the ups and downs of what you’re listening to. Hopefully, you’re in a better spot in the end, musically. I really approach it in that way.

You go in with a certain idea in your mind. It always changes in the studio. You put the things together, and you say, “Yeah, that sounds great.”

But you gotta go in with a plan. You just don’t say, “Let’s record a bunch of tunes.” That’s not me.

Do you layer tracks? Do you work in the studio with a full band?

I work with a full band and layer afterwards. Always cut the tracks live, with basics, then layer the guitar parts. I play a range of guitars, so it’s always how they go together.

You’re known for taking several guitars on the road. How many do you have onstage?

Usually a minimum of three, but anywhere from three-to-five. I always have a 12-string with me. These days I’m playing a double-neck, which is all over the record. Of course, the signature Martin 0-16 New Yorker. I guess you could call that my signature axe. That’s what I’m know for. Playing that little guy.

You started playing guitar when you were 12. When did you start to sing?

I started to sing when I was 13. I was really lucky. My guitar teacher was a guy in Vallejo by the name of Joe Wagner. Knew R&B music and knew a lot about blues. Loved Johnny “Guitar” Watson. He’s saying, “This is Freddie King. This is Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson.” Of course, I had no clue as to who these guys were.

Lo and behold, I get into a band the next year. I’m talking about a little eighth grader, 13-years-old, and I’m playing in a high school band with 16-year-olds who are driving cars. It was a fast learning experience.

Did you ever lie about your age so you could play a nightclub gig?

Only one time, but I was much older. I wasn’t 21 yet and we got a gig at a nightclub. I didn’t have a fake I.D. – the guy just said, “you’re hired.”

What’s a Roy Rogers road trip like?

I keep it pretty simple. Whether it’s overseas or the States, I travel light. It’s a trio. Steve Ehrmann on bass has been with me a long time, a dear friend of mine. On drums is Billy Lee Lewis, formerly of Tommy Castro Band. Billy’s been playing with me for five years.

We keep it light, we travel light. We travel as a trio, plus my road guy, Ralph, whether I’m flying or not. We don’t have a big bus. We have a small van, although I do fly to a lot more gigs than just hitting the road like we used to. That’s another change. It’s not cost-effective to hit the road, so to speak, for long periods at a time, with the economy as it is.

I’m not playing as many small clubs these days. I keep it real compact, we run a tight ship, and we let ‘er rip.

Roy Rogers On The Road

"I keep it pretty simple. Whether it’s overseas or the States, I travel light."

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How did you land in Nevada City?

I lived in the Bay Area most of my life. I still love the Bay Area, and I still wanted to be close to the Bay Area, but I didn’t want to live there because it just got too crowded for me. My kids are grown. My daughter just graduated from college. My son is 33. We didn’t have the kids at home anymore. We said, “what’s a good place where we can still be close to the Bay Area, but enjoy the outdoors?”

Nevada City – you’re close to Tahoe, the Bay Area and other places. I love living up here – the clean air and everything that goes with it. It’s great to come home off the road, fly into Sacramento airport, then come up here to the big trees. I’m very fortunate to be able to have done this. We moved here two years ago and have not looked back.

What’s next for Roy Rogers?

I’m thinking of doing a Christmas record. I’m thinking about orchestrating it in a way that would be way different. Guitar with some type of orchestration. It would definitely be left of standard.

Are you thinking of doing standards? Are you considering some obscure Christmas songs, or writing a Christmas song?

All of the above. Secondary do that, I’m thinking of doing a record of standards, but in a bluesier direction. To me, Gershwin can be bluesy. I think it would be fun to do that.

What would you tell a 12-year-old Roy Rogers just picking up the guitar today?

Have fun playing. It’s not fun to begin with. That comes later. But you gotta have fun to peak your interests in something. Especially when you’re a kid.

They never had to tell me to practice. I loved the guitar. I loved practicing. When I got into a band it was like, “Wow! What was that?” All these guys are playing together.

Roy With His Martin

"That’s what I’m know for. Playing that little guy."

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The next thing I would say is play with other people. Find other people to perform and rehearse with. We can reach all the analogies we want about performance, about touring, about interacting with people – it really comes down to that. You can be the best-doggoned player on the planet, but if you’re there in your own little room, who cares? You have to communicate and music is a means of communication.

I don’t want to get philosophical on you, but that’s what I would tell the kid. Have fun to begin with, then settle down and work at it, and then learn it to wherever you want to take it. Listen to all kinds of music. Don’t just listen to one kind of music. The more music you listen to, as we know, the more you realize music is so interrelated. You don’t know that to begin with, but you’ll learn it when you listen to different kinds of music. That would be my advice.

Click here for Roy Rogers' official Web site.

--Jay Smith

News: New CD New Site and It's Spring!

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Spring is finally here and with it comes a bucketload of new things to share with Roy Rogers' fans. Welcome to the new site! 'The Slide Zone' now has refreshed features and more user friendly navigation. The Music Player features some new tracks. And please check out the video section with our exclusive Webisodes and the Roy Rogers You Tube Channel. Also, new ticket links are provided for the shows. Roy's My Space and Facebook is currently being updated as well.

Please also make sure you sign in to the mailing list, as more new music and some VIP fan give-a-ways are being coordinated around the release of the new CD 'Split Decision' available April 21st on Blind Pig Records. In the next few months we will also be offering some exclusive downloads to Roy's loyal fans that will only be offered on the website. Share the love, and bring in your friends and family to the new 'Slide Zone.' As always, thank you for supporting live music and hope to see many of you at all of the shows and especially at The New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival this month! Come on down! XX Gaynell

News: Blind Pig Signs Roy Rogers

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Blind Pig Records has announced the signing of virtuoso guitar player and Grammy-winning producer Roy Rogers. Under the agreement, the label will release Split Decision, Rogers' first studio recording with his band, The Delta Rhythm Kings, plus special guests, in seven years. The new album, scheduled for release on April 21st, was recorded at Studio D in Sausalito, California in December of 2008.

"Split Decision was really about the songwriting and I aimed to create a much more edgy cross-genre style," says Rogers. "I really wanted to craft strong stories, mix it up a bit with a lot of different guitar tones - and still have some solid roots oriented grooves...it's a very eclectic record." Special guests on the record include Phil Aaberg on keyboards (Elvin Bishop, Peter Gabriel), George Brooks on saxophone (Etta James, Zakir Hussain), and World music multi-platinum recording artist, guitarist Ottmar Liebert. The Delta Rhytm Kings are Steve Ehrmann on bass and Billy Lee Lewis on drums, long standing members of the band.

The deal marks a reunion of sorts between Rogers and Blind Pig, as the label released some of Rogers' first recordings in the late 1980's. Since then he's gone on to worldwide acclaim as one of the best slide guitar players around, garnered multiple Grammy nominations for his work as a producer for his one-time boss John Lee Hooker and for Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and received numerous accolades for songwriting and his work on movie soundtracks and television.

Publicity: Debra Regur pigpress@blindpigrecords.com 415-550-6484
Radio: Peter Robinson radio@blindpigrecords.com 773-772-0043
For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com.

News: Roy Rogers Wins Players' Choice Award from Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

http://www.acousticguitar.com/pca/

News: Steve Miller to Headline All-Star Benefit/Tribute to Norton Buffalo

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Rock 'n' Roll icon Steve Miller is organizing an all-star benefit and tribute in honor of his long-time harmonica accompanist and "partner in harmony" Norton Buffalo, who passed away on October 30th near his home in Paradise, California.

Another Planet Entertainment, in association with Steve Miller Management, has announced a show date of January 23, 2010 at The Fox theater in Oakland, California. Headlining the show will be the Steve Miller Band, the Doobie Brothers with special guests Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, plus friends George Thorogood, Elvin Bishop, Roy Rogers, Charlie Musselwhite, and Norton's road band, The Knockouts. Wavy Gravy will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Buffalo was a featured peformer and principal soloist with the Steve Miller Band for 34 years, performing before many hundreds of thousands of fans during that span. In a heartfelt tribute on the home page of his website, Steve Miller wrote, "There are some people who pass through this world who are so unique and special they defy description and Norton Buffalo was one of those poeple. He gave more than he took and brightened the world whenever he played his harmonica or sang a song"

Tickets are on sale now and available through THEFOXOAKLAND.COM or any Ticketmaster outlet. Ticket prices: $125.00 for Reserved Loge, $65.00 for main level general admission and reserved seats in the Mezzanine, $49.50 for Reserved Balcony. Limited VIP ticket packages are also available through Ticketmaster for the Loge and Mezzanine at $450.00 and $225.00. Limited VIP Meet and Greet packages are also available through emailing info@slotix.com for more information on these packages.

100% of all net proceeds will go to Buffalo's family. Contributions are non-deductible.

News: Norton Buffalo

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0800

I wish to express my great sadness at the loss of my dear friend Norton Buffalo to all fans and friends.

Norton fought the brave fight against cancer with amazing grace, never losing his great sense of humor - - this in spite of his grave health condition. He was not only a friend, but a true brother in music and life. He can not be replaced. He and I traveled and performed around the world for many years and I am grateful that I knew him. I believe that his musical legacy will increase in the future years, but more importantly, people will realize how great a human being he was, as well as a great musician.

Gaynell and I send our love and affection out to Lisa, Norton's wonderful wife, and all of his family in this sad time. RR

News: Blue Revue Cover Story on Roy Rogers

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Good News! Blind Pig recording artist Roy Rogers is featured on the cover of the Dec/Jan issue of Blues Revue magazine. The magazine will be mailed to subscribers on October 21st, and will be on the nation's newsstands in early November. Article is entitled "Slide Show" How Roy Rogers Is Keeping An American Music Tradition Vital."

The multi Grammy-nominated slide guitarist has appeared recently on national radio broadcasts ("House of Blues Radio Hour" and "West Coast Live"), and his latest studio album, Split Decision, has been acclaimed in USA Today, Billboard, Guitar Player & Pollstar as well as on National Public Radio and over three hundred radio stations across the country. The release continues to get rave reviews and is recently on the Grammy list for entries for 2010 in 'Contemporary Blues Recording of the Year' among other catagories.

In late October Roy and Gaynell Rogers take a rare holiday in to Mississippi to enjoy the Delta in the Fall and attend the Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium at The University of Mississippi in Oxford. This years food conference theme? "Music & Food" of course! See more at www.southernfoodways.com

News: Falling In To Fall

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Thanks to all of you amazing fans who came out Labor Day week-end. The end of summer is here, and it's been an fantastic one for us thanks to all of you and the support for the new release 'Split Decision.'

Also, we send heartfelt thanks for all the e mails and calls about our dear friend Norton Buffalo. Recently diagnosed with lung cancer, we are awaiting more test results and news from him this week. If you'd like, for more updates on his health condition and to send him some love and light & prayers - please go to his website at www.norton-buffalo.com where he will be posting news. And more from our corner of the world soon about events, funds and/or benefits for Norton - right now it is too soon and nothing planned as yet - but things are in the works. Stay tuned.

Press: New direction for slide guitarist Roy Rogers - Marin Independent-Journal

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0800

New direction for slide guitarist Roy Rogers - Marin Independent-Journal Blues musician Roy Rogers, who once lived in Novato and has garnered critical acclaim for his work with the slide guitar, found rich material in his life ...and more - Marin Independent Journal

News: Labor Day Week-End Shows

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Travel safe to live music this holiday week-end! Roy and the band in Eureka on Saturday, Rancho Nicasio on Sunday afternoon and Monday in Upper Lake. All shows & links posted in the 'show' section.

Thanks to the 300 stations AAA/Americana & Blues Specialty shows now playing 'Split Decision' nationwide! What a fantastic response to the new release!

Bring your dancing shoes and Hope to see you at the shows!

News: Roy Rogers' News and Notes

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0800

"Split Decision includes some of the strongest songwriting of Rogers' career and a dazzling array of guitar tones." Offbeat

"This first studio recording from the band and Roy in 7 years, this is one eclectic Americana and contemporary blues recording, and at it's finest." ~ Bluestown

Watch for some calendar changes and updates on the site - we hope you all will support live music as much as you can as festivals & special events, town plazas - as well as clubs are having a tough time this summer - however live music is still doing well and we really appreciate all of you showing up!

'Split Decision' continues to get rave reviews across the board and it's now being played nationally on over 300 stations in the AAA, Americana and speciality blues and roots shows.

Enjoy the last dog days of summer.... & Thank you!

News: Roy Rogers on The Radio & Shows This Week

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Over 300 stations across the country are now playing Roy Rogers' new release "Split Decision" thanks to the great work of the folks at Blind Pig Records and Max Horowitz and his team at Crossover Media. Thank you!

Get your groove on with two Bay Area shows this next week - on July 28th in Sonoma Plaza and on July 31st at Yoshi's Oakland.

Look for Roy on radio this week on the KRSH in Santa Rosa, Wednesday afternoon July 29th. Also, he appears on San Francisco's KFOG on Thursday morning July 30th (early!) at 8 am.

As always, thanks for supporting live music and don't forget your summer dancing shoes!

News: House of Blues Radio Feature on Roy Rogers July 11th & 12th

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Listen to the House of Blues Radio Hour nationwide on July 11th and 12th where Roy Rogers will be interviewed talking about the new release 'Split Decision' now being played on over 300 blues, Americana and AAA stations as well as BB King's Bluesville radio cable channel. Find a station near you at their website at www.bluesmobile.com.

Press: Roy Rogers' Split Decision

Sat, 16 May 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Press: Roy Rogers' New Album

Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The first studio recording from Roy and the band in 7 years this one is eclectic Americana and contemporary blues recordings at its finest. Edgy guitar tracks, deep grooves, tense rockin' blues and ballads. Surprises include jazz instrumentals.... - Bluestown

News: New Release Hits The Charts, Guitar Player Feature & Free Download!

Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 -0800

"It's a signature project..." ~ Billboard

Roy Rogers' new release "Split Decision" is gaining great momentum and has climbed to the #10 position on the Billboard Blues Charts, #4 on the Roots Blues Music Charts, and #12 on The Living Blues Chart. AAA and Americana Charts to be announced next week. Keep those calls coming in to the stations in your area - it helps! And thank you!

Get your copy of the July issue of Guitar Player Magazine where Roy is interviewed about the new recording. In addition there is a Free download available in the Music Store in the 'Split Decision' area of the track 'Requiem of a Heavyweight" as an free MP3 - enjoy and please share! And of course, get your copy on Amazon, the Blind Pig website, or right here in our Music Store.

Here's some of the recent press raves about the new release:

“New age phenomenon Ottmar Liebert pops up on the virtuoso slide guitarist’s first studio album with his band, The Delta Rhythm Kings in seven years. Rogers opens with a raucous ‘Calm Before The Storm’, then moves through a diverse set of jazz-inflected blues tunes...” ~ USA Today

“Slide guitar whiz Roy Rogers has a strong album with "Split Decision," and it's a signature project... The album opens at a furious pace with "Calm Before the Storm," a wall-of-sound number punctuated by Rogers' stinging slide guitar. - Billboard

“Split Decision includes some of the strongest songwriting of Rogers’ career and a dazzling array of guitar tones.” ~ Offbeat

“Slide guitar ace Roy Rogers wowed a packed house in the blues tent (New Orleans Jazz Festival) with new Little Queen Bee and Calm Before the Storm (sung by son Sam),
a sizzling version of Robert Johnson's Terraplane Blues and rousing tunes with pianist Marcia Ball.” ~ USA Today

“Rogers is not only a fine musician and producer, he knows how to write then deliver each track with just as much emotion with singing as playing. This music is like the deadly venom of a rattlesnake bite, the kind that feels good, like sweet pain but it spares your life in the end and gives you the blues so you get try to dodge the bullet just one more time.” - E Jazz News

“ Rogers is such a monster slide guitar player he’s mentioned with the likes of Sonny Landreth or legends like Robert Johnson. A slide-guitar aficionado’s dream come true.” - Houston Press

“The man plays slide like Big Ben plays football... ~ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

More to come very soon! All the best ~ Gaynell

Press: Jazz Fest on The Upswing

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0800

NEW ORLEANS — Veterans, lathered in SPF 30, clutching a daily lineup with scribbled priorities and lugging nothing heavier than a folding camp chair, can always spot the newbies. They're the ones with sunburned limbs, stiff footwear and iPods. The common ground? Mile-wide smiles, ringing eardrums and grease-stained T-shirts. Slide guitar ace Roy Rogers wowed a packed house in the blues tent with new Little Queen Bee and Calm Before the Storm (sung by son Sam), a sizzling version of Robert Johnson's Terraplane Blues and rousing tunes with pianist Marcia Ball. - USA Today

Press: Roy Rogers' Split Decision

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Slide guitar whiz Roy Rogers has a strong album with "Split Decision," and it's a signature project. - Billboard Magazine

Press: Roy Rogers' Split Decision

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 -0800

There is nothing like a good blues-rock album to get your blood circulating and if it’s good enough it can serve as aphrodisiac. In the case of the first Roy Rogers album with The Delta Rhythm Kings in seven years, all of the above are applicable. Split Decision is well crafted for more than your typical hot blooded blues audience, this has some gripping songwriting and outstanding guitar playing, most notably some blistering slide with both acoustic (“Your Sweet Embrace”) and electric (“Patron Saint of Pain” and several others) that would appeal to a wide array of listeners. - E Jazz News Toronto

Press: Roy Rogers: Slide Guitarist Extraordinaire

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Press: Split Decision

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Slide guitarist Roy Rogers has been described as playing riffs that “could peel a crawfish.” Pretty nice (and accurate) compliment for the Redding-born musician who’s made a name for himself not only for his great slide playing, but also for his singing and songwriting, and for producing albums for music icons John Lee Hooker and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. Rogers’ band, The Delta Rhythm Kings, joins him on his latest album, Split Decision, an eclectic collection of original tunes. - Chico News & Review

Press: Roy Rogers Wins Players' Choice Award from Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

ANNOUNCING THE 2008 WINNERS! Thousands of guitarists voted in the Acoustic Guitar 2008 Players' Choice Awards, and here are the winning companies, players, and products. The Players' Choice Awards are the way you, the players, tell the world which guitars, accessories, instruction resources, and amplification and recording gear are making your musical lives richer and more enjoyable. And this year, you also chose your favorite guitarists in all styles. Check out this year’s winners right here! - Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Press: The Sultan of Slide

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It's rare that The Entertainer spills over on to the Opinion page. Rarer still when it involves a debate about a musician's identity, or whether he's even still alive. That's just what happened last week, when a reader wrote in to ask if the Box Office listing for Roy Rogers' upcoming performance wasn't some kind of typo. Hadn't the singing cowboy been dead for a number of years now? My response was simple: That I would gladly pay money to see the original Roy Rogers raised from the dead. Either fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how macabre you are, that wasn't what the Box Office listing was referring to. No, slide guitar master Roy Rogers, who's a mere 58 years of age, is actually the one playing at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at Tyee Wine Cellars south of Corvallis. And though Rogers lives in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, the Internet delivered our Opinion page conversation to his door, prompting his own response, as well as responses from several of his local fans. - Corvallis Gazette Times

Press: Roy Rogers the latest, greatest slide guitarist

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

"Everybody is looking for something that rings true to them," said Rogers, who performs with Perkins on Nov. 14 at the Crystal Bay Casino. "In my case, I couldn't get enough of Elmore James and Muddy Waters. (Howlin') Wolf, too. His early stuff had that slide." - Tahoe Daily Tribune

Press: Roy Rogers Digs In to Gibson ES-137

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Legendary Slide Guitarist Roy Rogers digging on the Gibson ES-137 during a break from recording his new album at Studio D in Sausalito, Calif., on Monday, Dec, 1. Roy loved adding the Memphis guitar to his sound for the new project. Roy's last CD was with Ray Manzarek of the Doors. He has recorded with John Lee Hooker, Keith Richards and Bonnie Raitt to name a few and USA Today says, "Pundits who bemoan the scarcity of guitar gods haven't laid ears on Roy Rogers, whose slide riffs could peel a crawfish." Photo Credit: Pat Johnson - Gibson.com

Press: Roy Rogers & Phil Aaberg Headline Blues & Brews Festival

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Bay Area bluesman Roy Rogers joins with longtime musical ally Philip Aaberg once again for the 13th annual Blues and Brews fundraiser tonight. The 49th Street Blues Project opens the show. Advertisement Rogers last appeared at Blues and Brews with pianist Aaberg in 2000 with a rhythm section assembled by Aaberg. This time around, Rogers brings his touring band, the Delta Rhythm Kings: Steve Ehrmann on bass and Billy Lee Lewis on drums and percussion. "When you use your own players ... you have a whole different subtlety and dynamic that come out through the music," Rogers explained in a phone interview. "It gives you the opportunity to take it to higher ground." - The Great Falls Tribune

Press: Interview of Roy Rogers in Blueswax

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

"You've got to listen to what moves you. Listen to a wide range of music." - Roy Rogers Roy Rogers grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where he started playing guitar at age twelve and was exposed to a wealth of musical styles, most notably Blues, which became his passion. Since his first recording in 1976 he has become one of the finest practitioners and innovators of modern slide guitar. In the 27 years he's been playing professionally, Rogers has been nominated eight times for Grammy awards and three times for the prestigious Blues Music Awards. - BluesWax

Press: Interview in Modern Guitars Magazine

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

I thought you all would enjoy this recent feature story on Roy written by Mike Shea for Modern Guitars Magazine. It's an extensive interview with lots of personal insights and a variety of perspectives on the state of live performance. - Modern Guitars Magazine

Press: Deepbluereview

Tue, 26 Mar 2002 00:00:00 -0800

Whether you compare this disc to anything else Roger's has released, compare it to other slide guitar releases or compare it to other blues CD's released this year, it is not hard to justify a five star rating. This release is simply heads and shoulders above the rest.

- Deepbluereview

Press: All Music Guide Review: 4 Stars

Mon, 31 May 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Roy Rogers is somewhat of a rarity in contemporary blues; he's not only a monstrous guitar player, but is also possessed of a distinctive singing voice. In addition, he differentiates himself from the Chicago-style hordes by concentrating primarily on Delta-influenced slide guitar. By no means simply a revivalist, however, he's managed to take the best of Son House and create a unique style that is much more than the sum of its influences.

- All Music Guide

Press: "Roy's Slide Takes Center Stage"

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0800

"There isn't a slide guitarist in history who didn't sound better live than on record, and Rogers is no exception...The dozen tracks here are well selected, giving equal weight to his many fine solo albums...The band members, veteran road rats all, are tight...and Norton Buffalo and Shana Morrison do indeed show up for cameos. But it's Roy's slide that always takes center stage..."

- OffBeat

Press: "A Worthy Live One from a Master of Slide"

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0800

"A Worthy Live One From A Master of Slide....This is a long awaited release for longtime fans of Roy Rogers. His live shows are the stuff of legends and his signature slide playing is from the top end of town...Live albums are mostly hit and miss affairs...but Rogers' has sensibly recorded in the same venue on consecutive nights to make this release very solid and a worthwhile addition to any CD collection."

- FolkWax

Press: 5 Notes! (Out of 5!)

Sat, 20 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0800

"This is a fine example of live Mississippi Delta Blues by one of its foremost practitioners. Rogers is a marvel on the guitar and his compositions are authentic Delta blues of the highest quality. Ehrmann, Sanchez, Aaberg, Rigney, Buffalo, and the others are worthy companions in this exciting live performance. The sound is great and the enthusiasm of the audience is infectious. If you couldn't be part of that audience, the next best thing is to put Live! at the Sierra Nevada Brewery Big Room on the stereo and put yourself on the mood for a great time."

- Roots 66

Press: Blues Revue Magazine recently reviewed Roy's show at The Triple Door in Seattle, WA.

Mon, 27 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0800

"Like his music, Rogers' storytelling is crisp, entertaining, and all of a piece. Still, his powers of expression are strongest in his hands, and he proved throughout the two sets that it's possible to be simultaneously flashy and genuine. His low-key showmanship highlighted dazzling technical prowess but also made it accessible."

- Blues Revue Magazine

Press: Roy at Tampa Bay Blues Festival

Mon, 21 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

"Can the day get any better! Well yes it can and Roy Rogers proved it. Guitar Player magazine said, "That's not a slide on Roy Rogers pinky, it's a time machine. With it Rogers transports you to the Mississippi Delta's past and future." No matter if he picks up his Martin 016 New Yorker six string or the Gibson 12 string Dobro made in the mid-'60's, Rogers has no equal. Slide music just can't get any better or cleaner. Rogers was the only act of the festival that I sat down and watched the entire performance."

- Blues News

Press: Roy Celebrates 25 Years of the Blues

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800

"My first reaction was, 'Wow, he's white,'" the New Orleans native now called Gaynell Rogers remembers of that first sighting in 1980 when the Vallejo-reared slide guitarist was celebrating the release of his bluesy album with harmonica player David Burgin. "I'd heard the record on the radio, it was a great record, and when I saw Roy I thought, 'How is this guy playing guitar like that? He's not Southern, and he's not Afro-American.'" And he's not that Roy Rogers, although he was named after the singing cowboy to please his older brother Billy, a cowboy wannabe. This year Gaynell and Roy celebrate the 25th anniversary of that introduction, and the 21st of their marriage. It's a silver anniversary also for the Delta Rhythm Kings, the trio fronted by Roy and in significant part promoted and publicized by Gaynell."

- San Francisco Chronicle

Roy Rogers - RSS Feed

News: Holiday Week End Shows!

Show: Sep 16, 2010 @ Lakehills Green Above Town Center

Show: Dec 31, 2010 @ Miner's Foundry

News: In The Studo

News: Roy Rogers' Back from Canadian Festivals!

Show: Sep 21, 2010 @ Pebble Beach

News: Roy Rogers HD PBS Special - Taping Thursday

News: Summer is Here! Gearing up for PBS Special!

News: Italy Tribute Concerts for Umberto Tonello

Show: Oct 09, 2010 @ Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse

Show: Sep 25, 2010 @ Black Oak Casino

Show: Sep 12, 2010 @ Redding Veterans Auditorium

Show: Sep 18, 2010 @ World Records Festival

News: Ray Manzarek & Roy Rogers In Studio

News: Roy Rogers Delivers Great Performances!

Show: Sep 11, 2010 @ Umpqua Wine & Art & Music Festival

News: New Co Partners for Mardi Gras Valentines Day Costume Ball

News: Ray Manzarek & Roy Rogers Head To Northwest

News: A Celebration of A Life - Tribute To Norton Buffalo

News: A New Decade Upon Us!

News: Happy Holidays To You!

News: November 2008 Update

News: Roy Garners Third WC Handy Nomination

News: Roy Rogers Partners with Guitar.com for Guitar Giveaway Contest

News: Roy Rogers Performs at New Orleans Jazz Fest

News: Roy Rogers Launches the New Slide Zone Website

News: Benefit for Drummer Billy Lee Lewis

News: New Release "The Best of Two"

News: Happy New Year to Our Fans and Friends Worldwide!

News: Just Announced: Worldwide Virtual Performance at Videoranch on January 26!

News: Fall Update

News: Hello - WOW It's August!?#!!

News: Happy Summer!

News: Festival Season off to A Stunning Start!

News: Yoshi's / Sonoma Jazz & KFOG Appearances This Week!

News: Jessica Lee Rogers Graduates from College

News: Hot May Shows & New Release 'Ballads Before The Rain' from Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers

News: Roy Rogers Shows Not to Be Missed

News: KVMR Live Broadcast April 28th! from The Big Room at The Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

News: Our favorite new media write-up

News: Pollstar: Roy Rogers: Slide Guitarist Extraordinaire

Roy Rogers: Slide Guitarist Extraordinaire

Roy Rogers

A Man On A Mission

Bonnie Raitt, Roy Rogers

Caution: Fingers Working

Roy Rogers

Roy Rogers On The Road

Roy With His Martin

News: New CD New Site and It's Spring!

News: Blind Pig Signs Roy Rogers

News: Roy Rogers Wins Players' Choice Award from Acoustic Guitar Magazine

News: Steve Miller to Headline All-Star Benefit/Tribute to Norton Buffalo

News: Norton Buffalo

News: Blue Revue Cover Story on Roy Rogers

News: Falling In To Fall

Press: New direction for slide guitarist Roy Rogers - Marin Independent-Journal

News: Labor Day Week-End Shows

News: Roy Rogers' News and Notes

News: Roy Rogers on The Radio & Shows This Week

News: House of Blues Radio Feature on Roy Rogers July 11th & 12th

Press: Roy Rogers' Split Decision

Press: Roy Rogers' New Album

News: New Release Hits The Charts, Guitar Player Feature & Free Download!

Press: Jazz Fest on The Upswing

Press: Roy Rogers' Split Decision

Press: Roy Rogers' Split Decision

Press: Roy Rogers: Slide Guitarist Extraordinaire

Press: Split Decision

Press: Roy Rogers Wins Players' Choice Award from Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Press: The Sultan of Slide

Press: Roy Rogers the latest, greatest slide guitarist

Press: Roy Rogers Digs In to Gibson ES-137

Press: Roy Rogers & Phil Aaberg Headline Blues & Brews Festival

Press: Interview of Roy Rogers in Blueswax

Press: Interview in Modern Guitars Magazine

Press: Deepbluereview

Press: All Music Guide Review: 4 Stars

Press: "Roy's Slide Takes Center Stage"