Bobby plays GUITAR (vintage instruments mainly, like a 1968 Gibson 335, 1948 Martin D-18, a Randy Wood Archtop jazz guitar) and BANJO (an electric Deering and beautiful acoustic made by Harry Lane of Savannah GA.) His first instrument was the upright BASS at age 7, and he went on to learn to play the DRUMS before getting back to stringed instruments such as the banjo, MANDOLIN and guitar.
He performs only original music during his performances, (except for an occasional jazz standard depending on the occasion.)
Influences
in order of appearance on BLR's radar:
gospel
bluegrass
rock (James Brown's children were occasional playmates of the young Rodgers)
jazz
Though the above is a rough estimate of the earliest influences on Rodgers, he often cites that showtunes and classical music as huge influences. Most influential of all though are Jazz greats such as John Coltrane and Miles Davis. The Bobby Lee Rodgers Band is (as The Codetalkers were) probably one of the few (if there are any others) rock bands out there whose lead guitar sound is often that of an archtop jazz guitar. And when he does pick up a banjo, he plays jazzy lick on that as well! His sound has been called "pioneering" by music afficionados who recognize the fact that there is no other guitarist out there today who has created such a unique sound with his instrument, and so successfully incorporated the sensibilities of jazz into Rock and Roll music.
Sounds Like
Rock'n'Roll with intelligence; vigor and emotionality, Jazz sensibilities and Popular appeal, old school turned new sound. And you've never heard a guitar or electric banjo played like Bobby Lee Rodgers plays them. Set against the backdrop of a two-man rhythm section (Bass and Drums,) Rodgers' guitar sound is based on his deep roots in jazz as well as his younger days listening to Jimmy Hendrix and Pink Floyd, and is colored by the sounds created by the insertion of a Leslie organ speaker between his instrument and your ears. His music is very song-based, and Rodgers manages to paint a wide variety of pictures with his lyrics and compositions. COME HEAR FOR YOURSELF!
A gifted musician and songwriter , Bobby started playing when he was 7; his first instrument was the upright bass. He played the drums until his mother got sick of toting them around to practice (before he could drive) and he played the upright bass until the day he was nearly stabbed in the head by it's peg when his mom slammed on the brakes... Growing up listening to all sorts of music, much of which he inherited from the stashes of 8-tracks on the floors of the cars his dad would repossess, Bobby has incorporated a wide variety of musical tenets into his musical vocabulary. Given the timing of his high school years, it was almost inevitable that he gravitate toward the hard rock sounds of AC/DC and other hair bands, but it was one Melvin Hodges who changed Rodgers' life forever.
Hodges was the jazz band instructor at Bobby's high school, and it was through his insistence that that the young musician start focusing his talents and studies on America's finest art form-Jazz. From there, Rodgers went to study at the University of Georgia, and after graduating, headed to Berklee School of Music in Boston. Rodgers was awarded an honorary degree after auditing a handful of classes, and was quickly hired to teach in the Performance Studies department where he taught Jazz Improvisation. His gig at Berklee earned him quite a prestigious epithet: his hiring placed Rodgers among the three youngest instructors to ever teach at the famous music college.
As fans of Bobby's know, his obvious talent does not lie in his technical skill alone. A prolific songwriter, Rodgers' tunes number in the hundreds. They have been featured in commercials, movies and television shows such as The Real World and Road Rules (MTV productions.) The nascency of his fan base was during his years in Boston, when his band Bobby Lee Rodgers & The Herd toured throughout New England and earning a variety of top industry awards (all while teaching full time.) Eventually the call of the road became too strong and he left his position at Berklee. Rodgers moved back to the south, eventually landing again in his home town of Atlanta. Over the last 9 years, Rodgers toured full-time with his band The CodeTalkers. They appeared at both Bonnaroo and Vegoose, and Bobby was featured on NPR's Morning Edition (a huge compliment considering the host, Ashley Kahn, is a famous Jazz historian best known for his biography of Miles Davis) and had the opportunity to play in Tokyo on the invitation of their Japanese record label, which has released two CodeTalkers' albums to date. Through a variety of line-up changes, the band's single constant was the presence of his tunes; the fans who are responsible for carrying Rodgers through to where he is today always show their enthusiasm by singing along to their favorites and bringing their friends to the next show.
Retiring The CodeTalkers at the start of 2009, Bobby is currently involved in projects with Joe Craven and Ike Stubblefield. He has been in the studio recording with both and has plans to tour with Ike and drummer Marcus Williams beginning in late May. Look for the Rodgers/Craven project to release a CD later in the year and for the long-awaited studio album from Bobby (featuring drummer Mark Raudabaugh) to come out soon as well.
Rodgers is deeply appreciative to every single fan who has continued to support him through all the changes that are inevitable in an industry such as this. He writes for himself, but he performs for you. We look forward to seeing you on the road!
The BLR Band w/ special guest Roosevelt (The Lee Boys) THURS/ATL
Roosevelt (The Lee Boys/pedal steel) will be joining the Bobby Lee Rodgers Band at Smiths Olde Bar in Atlanta Thursday March 5th!
For a preview of a possible part-time project, come out Thursday night! Roosevelt and Bobby connected in Orlando this weekend and played a surprise late-night show at a local festival and now want to get their collaboration out to their fans.
The BLR Band w/ guest Roosevelt (The Lee Boys) THURS/ATL
Roosevelt (The Lee Boys/pedal steel) will be joining the Bobby Lee Rodgers Band at Smiths Olde Bar in Atlanta Thursday March 5th!
For a preview of a possible part-time project, come out Thursday night! Roosevelt and Bobby connected in Orlando this weekend and played a surprise late-night show at a local festival and now want to get their collaboration out to their fans.
i have just come to realize i am going to have to make a trip up to see you...don't make me come up there young man! come to new orleans! give my love to the family. love and light,dee
showin' me some of them chords when i see you guys in Fernandina - come back please ! They fixed the crazy noise ordinance!!!!!!!! "VICTOR THE SNAKE MAN"!!!!!!
You know the people that say utopia isn't possible have already given up. Living sustainably in balance with our environment and food sources will bring us the freedom to live in harmony, and provide the opportunity for all to excel in their efforts, dreams and life path. Utopia is not only possible but it is the very essence that should guide our dreams and vision for ourselves and with each other. It is the horizon we should all strive for everyone and every nation. Anything short of that will lead us astray.
*February, 18, 09:00 PM - Gottrocks, GREENVILLE, SC THE RODGERS/SIPE PROJECT: featuring Bobby Lee Rodgers, Jeff Sipe, Shannon Hoover and Charles Hedgepath
*February, 19, 08:30 PM - 123 Pleasant Street, MORGANTOWN, WV THE RODGERS/SIPE PROJECT: featuring Bobby Lee Rodgers, Jeff Sipe, Shannon Hoover and Charles Hedgepath.
*February, 20, 08:30 PM - Jaxx Concert Hall & Nightclub, SPRINGFIELD, VA THE RODGERS/SIPE PROJECT: featuring Bobby Lee Rodgers, Jeff Sipe, Shannon Hoover and Charles Hedgepath
*February, 21 2009 08:30 PM - Sonar, BALTIMORE, MD THE RODGERS/SIPE PROJECT: featuring Bobby Lee Rodgers, Jeff Sipe, Shannon Hoover and Charles Hedgepath. w/ The Davisson Brothers
*February, 22, 08:00 PM - Kirk Music Hall, ROANOKE, VA THE RODGERS/SIPE PROJECT: featuring Bobby Lee Rodgers, Jeff Sipe, Shannon Hoover and Charles Hedgepath
*February, 27, 08:00 PM - Grand Cypress Hotel, ORLANDO, FL - JB and Friends/Hannah's Buddies BOBBY LEE RODGERS & FRIENDS
*March, 20, 08:30 PM - Savannah Music Festival, SAVANNAH, GA BOBBY LEE RODGERS & FRIENDS w/ Ike Stubblefield and other guests TBA
