By Lisa Morgan
When I first saw R Buckle Road perform at the Palm Canyon Road House, my impression was that of a group of guys having as much fun at their job as I do at mine. They seemed like a fun and easy going bunch armed with an arsenal of original songs that had a surprisingly, immediate likability in spite of the fact that I’d never heard any of them before. Professionally speaking, that’s not an easy accomplishment. Many venues opt to bring in bands that perform covers as opposed to local bands that play all originals; people/customers tend to like familiarity. They like songs they know the words to. But the songs these guys were putting out connected right away either via wit, attitude or because they were just fun and relatable. R Buckle Road’s lyrics are straightforward with catchy melodies and strong hooks, dynamic enough so that no one song sounds like the last. It was a good variety of country flavored ear candy with a nice, solid, rock and roll undertow. That combination is quite possibly enough for any band in Nashville to get a nod. But the musicianship supporting these songs… well, let me just say, the floor had to open up a little to make room for the depth displayed as I witnessed moments of greatness being performed during the instrumental solos. These guys didn’t even know I was watching them with consideration to write about them. They were just doing what they do and preparing for their upcoming performance at the International Date Festival Battle of the Bands.
Front man, Greg Vincent had given his go at the Nashville music scene back in the mid ‘90s. He had a couple of his songs cut by other signed bands and played about town here and there but nothing during his visits to the music city stuck. He was encouraged by a well-known publisher that he had the potential to make a go of it if he committed to moving there, but having started a family in California and bearing the responsibilities that ensued, Greg chose to step away from music. It wasn’t until after Stagecoach a couple of years ago that Greg and his friend/neighbor/drummer Dan Spriggel asked themselves, “Why aren’t we doing this?”
As Greg casually shared his story with me, Dan jumped in eager to give the bigger perspective on his talented friend and front man: “You’re such a sand bagger!” he referred to Greg. Then looking at me he said, “Like all truly talented people, they tend to sand bag. Greg and his wife supported me when I was in a local rock band. We were neighbors. We watched football together. Then one day, all of a sudden he says, ‘I’ve written a song or two.’ So he goes and pulls a box out from under the bed with these old, multi-track, 2” tapes in it and a CD with these 12 remarkable songs on it!” For Greg and Dan, the path of original music was the only way to go. They surrounded themselves with the quality musicianship of bass player, Ben Travis and brothers, Mike and Larry Pedersen.
The Pedersen brothers have been playing and performing music since they were 12 and 13 years old thus bringing those tenured moments of greatness that I referred to earlier. While Greg, Dan and Ben definitely bring that fresh contemporary edge to the R Buckle Road look and sound, Mike and Larry provide the polish that puts the shine on that “Buckle”. Mike has a natural, experienced touch and tonality that makes the electric guitar quite literally sing. Larry’s acoustic guitar style and harmonica add truly rich, fullness and character to the music. To share the musical experiences between these two brothers would necessitate their own article, but let me just say this: You would be hard pressed to find this kind of musicianship anywhere, Nashville included. It’s the kind of skill that comes from a God given ability combined with decades of dedication and passion. It cannot be taught or learned; it can only be earned.
As fun loving and just really, really likeable as these guys are, they are tenaciously hard working as well. Greg literally dedicates hours of his day just in promoting and securing bookings for the band. Sadly, in this day and age and location, the venues that support original music are few and far between. “There’s a whole lot of foot work involved,” shared Greg. “I go to a website called Festivalnet; it’s an industry site that posts all their events from parties of 50 to the large festivals and everything in between. I’ve submitted to over 70 events and several different original music venues throughout Southern California. You don’t get paid much. Maybe you’ll make gas money. I’ve also submitted to around 70 municipalities from here on up to central California for their summer concert series’. Those pay better. We’ve got lots of irons in the fire and there’s a whole lot of back and forth intensive follow up involved. Basically, there’s a thousand hours we put into this thing with no particular payoff.” Then he added with a smile and a gleam in his eyes as he looked at his band mates, “Well, with the exception of tearing down the Red Barn last weekend, did we not?!”
R Buckle Road has bookings all the way through this year with weekly gigs scheduled at Dillon Road House and Palm Canyon Road house. They’re hoping to solidify a sponsorship agreement with two liquor distributors doing a weekly three bar rotation; a “hangin’ with the band kind of thing”. The partnership hopes to help build up business for a bar on a traditionally quiet night with drink specials and R Buckle’s live music. It will also provide the band with performance practice for those big bookings like the one coming up June 29th where they will be opening for a major act (say…like Snoop Dog) at the Canyon Theater in Agora. The name of the major act (the likes of Snoop Dog) is to be revealed at a later date. Revealing the name (Snoop Dog) would be pre-mature at this time, but CV Weekly will definitely make sure to announce it (Snoop Dog) as soon as it is confirmed.
What are the aspirations for R Buckle Road? “The sky’s the limit,” says Greg. “I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t dream to headline Stagecoach or any other major venue. Am I going to let that dream get in the way of reality? No, but I’m going to keep playing. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by these guys. I’m not satisfied with playing local clubs for the next three years. At the same time, if that’s all we do and it’s as fun as it was this last weekend at the Red Barn, that’s great; as long as we’re working toward a bigger stage.”
Follow R Buckle Road on Facebook or Reverb Nation to watch videos and listen to songs and get an updated schedule. The recordings are a little rough, the videos are fun, but the best way to hear them is live!
