Ralph Roddenbery
| Status | is playing at Smiley's Acoustic Cafe in Greenville, SC on Thursday 11/12, in Thomasville, GA at The Covey/Justins on Friday, 11/13 and then at Zuffys in Atlanta with RRB on Saturday, 11/14. |
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Bio
The Ralph Roddenbery Band is a dynamic blend of Americana, roots rock, and a twist of the blues. By combining four part harmonies with energizing riffs, captivating lyrics, remarkable stage presence and a driving rhythm section, RRB is able to connect with their audience in a way that makes them feel as if they are having a one on one conversation about life. The Ralph Roddenbery Band consists of Ralph Roddenbery (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Ted Norton (lead guitar/vocals), Richie Jones (drums/vocals), Tommy Jones (bass) and Samantha Alessi-Jones (vocals).
Ralph Roddenbery is a unique and impressionable singer/songwriter who has been part of the Athens and Atlanta music scene for many years. He honed his songwriting & performance skills under the tutelage of Bill Berry (R.E.M), John Keane, Randall Bramblett, Davis Causey and Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) while he was living in Athens.
RRB’s lead guitarist, Ted Norton, spent the nineties touring with The Grapes and has a sound that has been compared to the likes of David Gilmore and Jerry Garcia. Tommy Jones gives RRB its smooth bite with his 5 string modulos bass and Richie Jones uses a powerful and dynamic rhythmic approach to his drumming. The voice of Samantha Alessi-Jones is reminiscent of Emmy Lou Harris and Kate Wolf, yet she still has her own unique sound.
RRB primarily tours in the Southeast U.S. playing major clubs, theatres, festivals, and private events. As of late, RRB played at Suwannee Springfest, Magnolia Festival and The Variety Playhouse, and has shared the stage with Larry Keel, Joe Craven, Donna Hopkins, Tishamingo and David Blackman. Ralph Roddenbery currently has three releases: Fix Myself, Live at Tree Sound Studios and Let It In. RRB released their new album “For So Long” in December 2008. The album was recorded at Bakos Amps Works in Atlanta and mastered by Rodney Mills Masterhouse.
About
Ralph Roddenbery is a hyper, yet laid back, singer/songwriter/performer based out of the Atlanta/Athens area. You will usually find Ralph fronting RRB, but he also performs solo and with other side projects. Some of the music festivals that Ralph or RRB have played in the past are SpringFest, Magnolia Fest, Asheville Music Jamboree, Shakori Hills Grass Roots Festival, Bear Creek Music Festival, Down on the Farm Festival, HarvestFest and AthFest.
Rlaph released his first album in 1996, Fix Myself, recorded at John Keane Studios and produced by Davis Causey (Sea Level) and Paul "Crumpy" Edwards, who both influenced Ralph's music in many ways. Ralph claims that that record saved his life and is forever grateful to the Athens folks who helped make it happen. He then recorded Ralph Roddenbery "Live in studio record at Tree Sound Studios" in Norcross Ga., , ..this record captures the storytelling and candied look into Ralph's world. His third album, Ralph Roddenbery Band, Let it in~Live, was also a live performance captured by Dynasonic.. Lots of emotion flowing on this one. This was recorded at Smithes Old Bar in Atlanta Ga with Shelly Wolfe, Chris Rotch, Ted Norton, Samantha Alessi Jones, Richie Jones, Tommy Jones and special guests Donna Hopkins and Chris Larson. His latest release is Ralph Roddenbery Band "For So Long"., a 14 song studio journey produced by band members Ted Norton and Richie Jones and Stop Drop and Roll's Scott Mcreedy. Ralph says "This record has been waiting to be born ..you know.......for so long".
Recently, Ralph co-wrote and recorded the track "Wake Me Up" at George Clinton's studio for inclusion on The Big Ol' Nasty Getdown's first album. The Big Ol' Nasty Getdown project has musicians from various bands such as P-Funk, Dumpstaphunk, Lee Boys, Galactic, Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, and other bands all mixing it up together to create a new album. He has been very fortunate to be able to work this last year on projects with both Donna Hopkins and Diane Durrett, and Charlie Wooten.
In addition to regular gigs, Ralph has worked at local schools teaching song writing to elementary children. Ralph also wrote and recorded the title track for "I Feel Better With Music", a children's picture based storybook and music set created specifically for preschool children diagnosed with cancer. Ralph volunteered this year at Pepperland Farm Music Camp in North Carolina teaching kids songwriting and will be returning again this year.
Ralph reaches all kinds of people through his music and with his self-effacing humor. Whether you first discover Ralph at a music festival, bar, music venue, or even surrounded by children in an elementary school, you will come away with the same impression. He is a born comedian, story teller, and performer. With his talent of improv and his ability to transfer his emotions into the songs themselves, he is able to take the performance to the highest level.
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