About Me
Memphis born, Rodd Bland was destined to become a musician. Playing drums at the age of three rapidly developed into his passion. The passion, talent, and dedication that Rodd exudes comes directly from his father, blues legend Bobby Blue Bland. As a boy, Rodd often followed his father to rehearsals and concerts. His boyhood infatuation with the drums, led young Rodd into configuring pots and pans and anything else into make shift drum sets to play on. Growing tired of replacing battered items, Rodd’s father invested in his son’s future. Mr. Bland decided to purchase young Rod a Slingerland drum set.Along with the drum set, Rodd began his training under John Jab O’ Starks, Harold “Peanie†Portier, and Tony Coleman. These gentlemen have all played with Bobby Blue Bland, B.B. King, and James Brown. At age five, Rodd made his professional debut playing drums along side Tony Coleman in the Bobby Blue Bland Orchestra. The mentorship young Rodd received eventually lead him to play more with his father, as well as with B.B. King, Mel Brown, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Slash, Bobby Rush, and Johnnie Taylor.Rodd’s discipline combines strength and enthusiasm towards drumming. Other than Rodd’s teachers, his drumming style is inspired from different drummers such as Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Steve Ferrone, Matt Cameron, Matt Sorum, and Mitch Mitchell. Rodd is credited with variations of: heavy backbeats, consistent steady grooves, and a strong shuffle. Eclectically crossing over into various musical genres, Rodd demonstrates multiple ranges in blues, rock, jazz, r&b, funk, hip-hop, and country.Seasoned at a young age, Rodd’s solid musical foundation interacts with his real world experience. Young and grown, Rodd has toured internationally with his father. As a grown man, Rodd has been on the road and blessed with associations of many diverse artists. These affiliations include: Van Morrison, Ray Charles, Babyface, Carl Thomas, John Lee Hooker, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Little Feat. Additionally, Rodd has appeared on Austin City Limits and VH1’s Route 97 festival both with Bobby Blue Bland, WREG’s Live at Nine with the Corey Osborn Band and most recently with the Kirk Smithhart Band. Rodd’s versatility has extended to the Eugene Gales Real Blues Project, Preston Shannon & the B.B. King All-Star Band, James Govan and the Boogie Blues Band, as well other Memphis artists. As a Memphis native, Rodd pays homage to his Memphis musical roots.Rodd’s exclusive expression is executed aggressively with dynamics, using boundless invention and all available means. Rodd’s improvision and energy sparks from equal ties to blues, soul, rock, and funk. Rodd’s style has been crafted, covering everything from Bobby Bland to the Van Halen. While demonstrating due appreciation of each song’s origin, Rodd’s arrangements and interpretations showcase his talent with his own artistic twist. The seeds of his enduring talent are sown deep in the blues and extend out to many genres. Rodd’s first passion remains with the blues and extends with each experience in various genres. The diversity that structures Rodd’s background makes him an accredited artist amongst the musical community.I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
