Backstage with Rosco Bandana at the House of Blues

To begin with, The Southland Music Line wants to thank Rosco Bandana for inviting us backstage to a really cool ‘green room’ at The New Orleans’ House of Blues.  Secondly, we want to thank The House of Blues for giving “The Line’s” photographer Stephen “Andy” Anderson signed permission to take photos of Rosco Bandana at the venue’s main stage.  We wanted to make mention of this evening, because it meant a great deal to us and it has always been a real pleasure being in the company of our friends, Rosco Bandana.

rb6Above: Rosco Bandana Live at The House of Blues in New Orleans, LA; Top Left: The House of Blues in New Orleans, LA (Photo by Stephen Anderson)

Recently in the Dec. 26, 2013 article: “The Southland Music Line: The Origin, Behind It’s Name& The Mission”,  I shared how Rosco Bandana had a positive influence on my most recent venture into the world of music reporting and what would become The Southland Music Line.  It was Jason Sanford of Rosco Bandana who introduced me to my colleagues Stephen Anderson and artist, Robby Amonett.  I am eternally grateful for many reasons, but most importantly, for the friendships and the similar love of music we share.

rb2With Jason Sanford of Rosco Bandana as Emily Sholes looks over set list of the nights show at The House of Blues. (Photo by Stephen Anderson)

Rosco Bandana’s story has been reported many times by a wide range of online and print publications, television segments, etc. Those who have followed the band and know about their winning The Hard Rock Rising Battle of the Bands a few years ago, which led to them performing in the UK and becoming the first band signed to Hard Rock Records, are also very aware of how hard this band has worked. They have traveled the U.S. from one coast to the next and everywhere ‘in between’ traveling, as so many bands do, in a big van pulling a trailer.  I remember the first time I saw their new van and how proud they were of it. That van has seen the miles and on a few occasions, I have found myself following it to a gig.  One time in particular, I was running behind and driving alone to a venue in Jackson, MS.  As I made my way up Hwy 49, I figured I was going to miss the first set, which is something I hate doing. As I approached the Jackson city limits, I looked to my side, there beside me was “that van”. Of course, I knew then, if the band wasn’t there yet, then I surely wasn’t going to miss any set of music. I followed the van, unbeknownst to the band, the rest of the way to the venue.

rb1The now famous van and trailer used by Rosco Bandana that has traveled many miles across the U.S. (Photo by J.G. Cole)

Rosco Bandana’s debut release from 2012, “Time To Begin”, was a great start to what hopefully will be a long musical journey ahead. The video to their song, “Woe Is Me” charted to #2 on the CMT Pure 12-Pack Countdown in 2013. Personally,I think the final track and the standout song on their debut is the incredible “Long Way Down.” After discussing this with many journalist friends from around the country, all seem to agree with me. They love this song!  I’ve always asked them the simple question: What song stood out to you the most?”…..same answer each time has been, “Long Way Down.”

rb16The sign outside The House of Blues advertising Rosco Bandana and many other bands set to perform at the venue. (Photo by J.G. Cole)

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about the months and years of following Rosco Bandana, has been seeing them grow into a highly entertaining live act. The first time I saw them at a place called  “Mezo’s Juke Joint” in Ocean Springs, MS, their member line-up and sound was slightly different. But it was evident that there was a certain fire and determination to become a great band. Unlike so many bands who achieve success, Rosco Bandana always showed humility and a friendly spirit not only to me, but to everyone who came to their shows. Easily,after beating out thousands of bands for the Hard Rock Rising event, Rosco Bandana could have been like many and thought too highly of themselves. They avoided that short-sighted attitude and realized it was just the start and remained humble. (It’s frustrating how many bands/artists take the other route and after achieving even the smallest of achievements become ‘full of themselves’, a sure sign of failure to come when adopting that attitude. I fear that for many I come across.) Thankfully, Rosco Bandana has never been that way. My observation is that their willingness to perform just about anywhere no matter the size of the venues; indoors or outdoors; small stage or no stage, and that it was always about the music, make them very special. Each show was given full attention whether it was multiple shows in a day and several each week. And an earmark of their shows is that they are from Mississippi, something they speak about often, being obviously proud of their Southern heritage and roots.

On Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 at the House of Blues (Main Stage) in New Orleans, LA, Rosco Bandana put on one of the most memorable shows.  Every band or artist knows each venue has pros and cons. Sometimes the sound isn’t to the liking of the band/artist or maybe some ‘behind the scenes’ things don’t work perfectly, but from an audience standpoint, on this night what we saw was a band that looked and sounded great.

hob12The list of many sold out shows at the House of Blues displayed in the stairway leading to the backstage green rooms. (Photo by Stephen Anderson)

Before the show, Stephen and I were invited backstage and soon thereafter, Robby showed up as well.  Being backstage and in the famous ‘green room’ at the House of Blues is quite an experience. For starters, the stairway leading up to green rooms are decorated with the names of every famous band  or artist that have sold out the main stage.Names like: Bob Dylan, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, Heart, Bryan Adams, Aerosmith, Kings of Leon, The Black Keys and many more. Really…and little ole me was there! I don’t know how the young performers who get to walk up those stairs to green rooms feel, but speaking from a fan of music like me, it was insane! I spent a great while reading the names.

hob14Above: The stairway located backstage at the House of Blues with the names of the many performers who sold out the venue.  Below left: Artist Robby Amonett backstage with Rosco Bandana at The House of Blues. (Photos by Stephen Anderson)

It was a very memorable night in New Orleans. Friends and family attended the show; Robby Amonett was able paint the performances of the bands that night; Stephen Anderson took many photos before and after; AND I, well was having one of those nights that makes me love what I do and want to continuing doing.

Thanks again to Rosco Bandana and The House of Blues.

UPDATE: Rosco Bandana recently signed with a new management company and continues to tour across the country. Early 2014, they performed in the Dominican Republic at Hard Rock Punta Cana. Also anyone who goes to a Rosco Bandana show, knows many of the songs performed live are ones that didn’t appear on the debut release. Well, they have recently recorded some of those songs on a soon to be released EP.

MORE PHOTOS FROM BACKSTAGE AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES:

rb78A great photo Jason Sanford and Emily Sholes before the show as they watched an episode of The Family Guy on the television in the Green Room. (Photo by Stephen Anderson)

hob3The hallway leading to the Green Room behind the Main Stage at The House of Blues. (Photo by Stephen Anderson)

hob11Another view of the famous stairway with the names of the many bands/artists that have sold out the enue. (Photo by Stephen Anderson)

hob4Inside the Main Green Room backstage at the New Orleans House of Blues where many famous bands/artists have enjoyed waiting to go on. (Photo by Stephen Anderson)

hob13The front entrance into the New Orleans House of Blues. (Photo by Stephen Anderson)

 

Upcoming Shows:
Fri. Mar 7th – Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company in Bay Saint Louis, MS.
Sat. Mar 22nd – Suwanee Spring Fest 2014 in Live Oak, FL. (Avett Brothers, Punch Brothers, Jason Isbell, Willie Sugarcapps)
Thurs. Mar 27th – Meyer Park in Gulf Shores, AL.
Fri. Mar 28 – City Park in New Orleans, LA.
Sat. Mar 29th – 59Twenty Music Festival 2014 in Meridian, MS. (Marshall Tucker Band, Nelo, Surviving Allison)
Fri. Apr 4th – Brewsky’s in Hattiesburg, MS.
Sat./Sun.  Apr 26-27th – Festival International de Lousiane 2014 in Lafayette, LA.
Thur. May 8th – Taste Of Alpharetta 2014 in Alpharetta, GA.
Fri./Sat. May 9-10th – Gulfport Music Festival in Gulfport, MS. (Kid Rock, Cypress Hill, Ludacris, Third Eye Blind)
Fri./Sat. May 23-24th – Banjo B-Que Festival in Evans, GA (Avett Brothers/Old Crow Medicine Show)

Official Website: Click Here
Rosco Bandana’s Facebook Page: Click Here and “Like”
To Purchase Their Music:
Amazon
iTunes

The House of Blues (New Orleans) Website: Click Here

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