Music Style creative and musical rock

Musical Influences kiss, bon jovi, loverboy, heart, duran duran, tears for fears

Similar Artists tonic, collective soul, creed

Artist History Rodger “Roddy” Roeser Bio/History The Beginning I could sing before I could talk, mimicking sounds from the old low fidelity stereo system my parents could afford in the early 1970s. Growing up on a small farm outside Cleveland, I was not exposed to the music I would later write and love. With the local radio dominated by country music and AM ‘70s gold, I sang into a handmade microphone memorized songs from Glen Campbell, Elton John and John Denver. It was not until I witnessed an odd looking New York band did I make up my mind what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I wanted to be a rock star. From songs like Detroit Rock City, Strutter and Love Gun, when I first saw and heard Kiss, my life changed. I realized that music was the way I would fulfill my only child syndromes – craving attention, overcoming inferiority and have an outlet for my creativity. Even at the ripe old age of nine, I discovered that I was a very good singer and when I sang, girls would swoon. I figured it was a good job. So, I participated in school plays and musicals, formed my own rock and roll band (complete with makeup, of course), and sang anywhere and everywhere they would let me perform. By the time I was a teenager, I began experimenting with writing real songs. I had no idea how to write a song, I knew what kinds of songs I liked. I was influenced by the techno pop at the time, bands like Tears For Fears, Duran Duran, The Cars, and an obscure band at the time called U2. But, at the same time, I liked the harder material, such as Kiss, Loverboy, Bon Jovi and Pat Benatar. Somehow, my material became a blending of these two rock genres. The Transition It was around this time I reluctantly took guitar lessons. I just wanted to be a lead vocalist but my band mates insisted I learn. I learned bass guitar because the band didn’t have one – a logical enough reason – but what it did in reality was allow me to tap into things that I had never thought of as a singer. It seems so obvious now, but such things as learning musical phrases, understanding song progressions, listening to how notes “go” together to create good music, and developing my musical “ear” were all outgrowths from something I never expected to learn. All have been integral for me as I grew musically. It also kept me gainfully employed as a musician – bassists are hard to come by in these parts. And I found that paying gigs were too. Upon embarking on college where single dormitories were larger than the entire town I was from, I had a handful of original songs and even a live band playing a mix of then-current rock and original material. The problem was, we couldn’t seem to get gigs. I would call clubs and try to book the band and they would ask where we had played. We were caught in bad Catch-22, so my mind started working overtime on how to get shows. I was terribly na�ve to the music industry and the local scene, but I figured we needed a record contract and a demo tape. So, I did both. I created my own “label” and went into the studio to record a song – Give In To Me. I issued press releases that I had been signed to a record deal, and that my first single was coming out. I secured quite a bit of press (which figures into the story later) and rented a hall and sold tickets. The local Top 40 station even put Give In To Me into rotation and would give away tickets to the show, which was a tremendous success. Almost 1,000 people attended the concert and I had the videotape to prove it. I had a song on the radio and a full press kit. I began sending it out to clubs throughout Cleveland, and the floodgates opened. We played often, typically four to five shows a week, and the money went toward upgrading equipment, studio time and, I’m proud to say, college. Unfortunately, I became so enraptured in performing live that I never, until today, sent my material to a record company. I continued to write songs, putting out several demo tapes that we sold at shows and garnered airplay from the local rock and roll stations. I would estimate to have sold 5,000 copies of various tapes during that time. In 1997, I made an eight-song CD and last year, a 16-song CD for which I actually crafted not only all the vocals and bass, but also all the drums, guitar and piano. So, for the past 10 years I have been performing live quite regularly, and although I have lost count, I would say about 3,000 shows total. More importantly, I’ve been honing my craft as a songwriter and performer, and allowed myself time to make sure my head was screwed on properly. The Bottom Line But, something inside never allowed me to send it to those who could actually harness what I have learned and take my music career to the next level. I could say it is as simple as “reality” getting in the way of the “dream,” secure in my career as a successful public relations executive who develops integrated and strategic marketing programs for national clients. Wearing a suit and tie, a nice corner office in a downtown high rise and an attractive salary are my reality. In all honesty, I would say that it was the fear that something I dearly love and do for me would not “pay the bills.” What if no one likes my material? Am I willing to trade reality for a dream? Yes. I pulled out an old photo of me at age 15, wide eyed and knowing that music was my true calling and something that I could call my own – something that I was very good at. I stared at the photo and asked that young man if he would like me. He was sad that I had the talent and means to move forward, but hadn’t. I made a promise and “quit my day job.” I believe I am an amazing singer, with powerful presence, a strong vocal range and excellent intonation. I write solid songs. Catchy and melodic songwriting, with meaning and purpose, combined with a live performance that is already strong and can be molded into something spectacular. I believe the best is yet to come with the proper direction. I am willing to do whatever it takes to succeed, and hired the best public relations and marketing executive I know to get me there – me. I am ready to put my tireless work ethic and my craft to work for you. I am prepared to take rejection and learn from it. I am prepared to do what it takes to put out a successful and lucrative product. And now, I can finally say with conviction that my name is Roddy Roeser, I’m a musician – it’s a twelve-step program.

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Piano, Drums, Vocals, Backing Vocals

Albums The Grey Man

Location Elyria, Ohio - USA

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