Rock & Load University

by Susan Ruth
(Nashville, TN)

The Rock & Load University is an opportunity and event to provide for those who have a desire to grow their skills and knowledge, in songwriting, guitar, bass, drums, vocals, production, engineering, artistry and the Music Business.

Helmed by industry veterans wishing to pass the baton FORWARD, The Rock & Load U will provide an ongoing mentorship program intimately set through workshops, seminars, and clinics, by the Best of the Best, who have spent their lives creating, performing, and executing records, live shows, contracts and everything in between, from behind the scenes to in front of the stage and microphone.

The Rock & Load University will take place in Nashville, TN, at Sound Check, on May 7 & 8, 2010. Attendees can take clinics and workshops with some of the best players, songwriters, engineers and business people in the industry. Classes include Understanding the Business, Vocal Exploration, Songwriting, Drums, Bass, Guitar, as well as many other aspects of the creative and business process.

This two-day event will kick off on Friday, May 7th with The Rock & Load U banquet with Bill Halverson. Bill engineered some of the most memorable music ever produced. Artists that Bill has worked with include, Crosby, Stills Nash & Young, Cream, Beach Boys, and REO Speed Wagon. Halverson’s Keynote Address will be followed by a Writers Round with the following hit songwriters: Larry Weiss ("Rhinestone Cowboy" – Glen Campbell, "Evil Woman" – Spooky Tooth, “Hi Ho Silver Lining” – Jeff Beck, “Help Me Girl” - Eric Burdon, and the million-seller “Bend Me Shape Me” by American Breed); Stan Webb ("One Of These Days But Not Tonight" – George Jones, "I'm From The Country" -- Tracy Byrd, as well as songs for Marie Osmond, T.G. Shepard, Terri Gibbs, The Forrester Sisters, The Osmond Brothers, Silvia, Michael Johnson, and Pam Tillis).

On Saturday, May 8th, the workshops and seminars begin. Presenters include well-known entertainment attorney Philip Lyon of Lyon & Phillips, PLLC, who has represented such varied clients as Mike Curb, Roy Acuff, George Jones, Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Waylon Jennings, Porter Wagoner, Bill Gaither, CMA, ACM, Black Oak Arkansas and more. The Producing/Engineering Clinic will feature Bill Halverson (produced and/or engineered CSNY, Cream, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell, America, REO), Neal Cappellino (Alison Krauss, Joan Osborne, John Waite, Brad Paisley, Jonny Lang, Jewel and Vince Gill). The Songwriter Panel includes; Duane Hitchings ("Do you Think I'm Sexy" -- Rod Stewart. Duane also played with Rod, Cactus, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Hendrix, among others); Stan Webb (George Jones) and Larry Weiss. The Drum Panel includes Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Quiet Riot, Blue Oyster Cult, and countless others), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart, Cactus) The Guitar and Bass Panels feature Kent Wells (who also produces Dolly Parton, Reba and Kenny Rogers), Charlie Crowe (Brooks & Dunn), Abe White (Zak Wilde), as well as several other presenters.

Wrapping up the event on Saturday evening, there will be the Rock & Load Show, featuring the weekend’s educators, who will take the stage and share their talents along with the Rock & Load Band, a grand finale to a great weekend!