In the sleepy, laid back state of South Carolina, there's something going on... that bares watching by the world of music.
First of all we have Robbie Boyette... a hard rocker, that cut his teeth on the Rolling Stones, Zeplin, Seger and Billy Idol. With his expertise in lead guitar and uninhibited stage performance as lead singer, he soon became a local legend... riding florida's hot rocking music scene, big time.
As canned music and DJ's moved into the arena, this singer/lead guitarist changed locations and toured thru Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas. Changing bands several times, he was always the front man and entertained the crowds with his special brand of hard rock and unexpected antics on stage.
Never playing the same set two nights in a row, the crowd never knew what to expect and so they came, to see what this wild man would do next.
Having reviewed some of these bands in person, I can personally attest to the performances, as being right up there with the best. Even though the hard rock scene had simmered down, this musician was still riding a wave, created by fans of rock music and was sought after by many venues.
Right at the height of all this, there was a near fatal car accident and there followed an operation that saved his life, but limited his vocal endurance level. An artist less in love with the art, might well have thrown in the towel. Still one of the top guitarist in the business, Robbie Boyette, took stock of his options and set about re-inventing his musical career.
Enter Claudia... a young lady who grew up cutting "her" teeth, on country music. With her throaty Janis Joplin/Melissa Etheridge style, against a backdrop of rock n' roll sound... she added a new flavor of possibilities. Mix in Tony, a musical prodigy on sax and keyboards.
Stir well ... and there emerges an exciting bridge, between country and rock.
With Robbie on lead guitar, Claudia on vocals and Tony on keyboards ... the combined efforts of these talented artists have pulled together, the best of both worlds. An earthy and hard driving package of sound, that makes fans from both genres of music... stop and take a long, hard look.
This reporter checked it out and was lucky enough, to be granted an interview. Just remember where you heard it, when these names are up in lights.
"Switchgears" ... Music Reporter for the Key Note News