A sound that clearly defies classification. These guys are a true crossbreed of all roots music tightly wrapped up into an exciting four piece band. The best way to try and describe them is EDGY AMERICANA! A band with great musicianship, stage presence, attitude, and some of the nicest guys you will meet off the stage. They have carved a niche by creating their own unique versions of cover songs that are entirely fresh but still recognizable to the masses. The band will commonly take a country song and do it with a rock flavor or a rock song and perform it as a Jazz Ballad. Then turn around on a dime and crank out a soulful Blues number. Truely music for people of all ages and musical appreciations! Where else would you find; a veteran Country front man and two time Yodeling Champion with an over 4 octave vocal range, an over the top country-rock guitarist, acrobatic rockabilly-blues upright bass player, and professionally schooled multi-dimensional drummer? This diverse band performs Country, Roots Rock, Blues/Jazz, Cowboy/Western, and Rockabilly music so well that they are at home in a music festival lineup in any of these musical genres. In their short career since formation they have performed several outdoor concerts, Major Hotel/Casino events during National Finals Rodeo, diverse Clubs, and even at Blues functions.
Let's meet the band:
BOBBY KINGSTON - Lead Vocals, Acoustic/Electric Rhythm Guitars
Originally from Canada and now a U.S. Citizen, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist,Bobby Kingston, has been performing at just about every type of venue imaginable over the past ten years. Bobby is a tremendously talented performing and recording artist with a powerful and over four octave vocal range. In the late 1990s Bobby received a prestigious grant as a Jim Beam Emerging Artist and Talent in Music. In 2006, Bobby was selected as the Western Music Association's Male Yodeling Champion. Bobby has been an active member in the Las Vegas Blues Society, the Western Music Association, the Western Folklife Center, and the Southern Nevada Bluegrass Music Society. He holds a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering and is also a professionally licensed electrical engineer in the State of Nevada. Bobby is experienced in all facets of live sound and recording. He operates a professional recording studio in Las Vegas and has produced all of his own music, including his CDs "Since I Lost You," "Lounging Around," "Different Kind Of Cowboy," the forthcoming "Down The Road," and the band's debut CD "Rocky Tonk." Bobby Kingston follows in the footsteps of his father, former Canadian Country Music star, Jack Kingston. Jack Kingston recorded two gold singles, was the first Canadian Country Artist signed to Capital Records, and is currently up for induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. In the 1950's Jack Kingston had numerous appearances all over the world including; the Louisiana Hayride, WWVA Jamboree, Big D Jamboree, and the famed Grand Ol' Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, among others. Bobby Kingston has performed with Cross Currents, Bobby K & Country Tradition, and The Bobby Kingston Band. Bobby is proud to use Gibson/Martin/Fender guitars with LR Baggs pickups, Fender guitar amplifiers, Shure microphones, Mackie sound equipment, and JBL speakers.
JOHNNY ISAACS - Vocals, Electric/Acoustic Lead Guitars
Born and raised in Indiana, Johnny Isaacs learned to play the guitar when he was 9 from his uncle Henry Toler and his grandfather John Gabbard. Johnny played with Marty Stuart in 1993 and on TNN in Nashville, TN in 1993. He joined the Air Force in 1994 where he played in various bands all over the upper USA and then moved to San Antonio in 1998 and spent one very memorable year playing acoustic guitar and mandolin with the all acoustic band, The Arbuckle Boys, an 1880's era authentic cowboy band. During this time he also played electric lead guitar and steel guitar with Jim Earl and the Cadillacs performing strictly 1940's and 50's Golden Area country music. In 2000, he joined the Creed Henry Taylor band as lead guitarist. In August of 2002, Johnny formed the Texas band, 10 City Run, that incorporated the stylings of the Byrds and Little Feat with Texas country music. After a lot of playing out all over Texas, 10 City Run was signed to Universal South in October of 2005 and the CD was released the following year. Johnny's greatest influences are; Clarence White, Marty Stuart, Redd Volkaert, Johnny Cash/Luther Perkins, Waylon Jennings/Ralph Mooney, Merle Haggard/Roy Nichols, Buck Owens/Don Rich, Willie Nelson/Grady Martin, The Jayhawks, Wilco, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Hank Williams Sr, Jr, III. Johnny has recently relocated to Las Vegas where he initially met Bobby, then Rob, through MySpace. Aside from a multitude of interesting effects pedals, Johnny is proud to play Fender/Gibson guitars, Fender guitar Amplifiers, RGW Electronics and Bill Bores Steel Innovations B-Benders.
TERRY GREENE - Steel Guitar, Lead Guitar, Mandolin, and Harmonica
The newest edition to Rocky Tonk, Terry predominantly plays Steel Guitar and doubles on several other instruments. Terry has played around Las Vegas for many years with popular bands, such as; Calamity Jane, The Bush Band, and Deadwood. Terry is proud to play Fender Guitars and Amplifiers.
ROB EDWARDS - Upright Bass
Rob Edwards is a self-taught and extremely high energy upright bass player that has played around the Las Vegas Area professionally since 1984. Rob has also played in many areas of the United States, Germany, and Austraila, including the famous Viva Las Vegas rockabilly event. Rob enjoys songwriting and is a major contributor to the bands original song repetoire with both lyrics and arranging. He has performed or recorded with many acts, including; The Edwards Brothers, The Ruffnecks, Narvel Felts, Pete Contino Band, The Pickadillos,Terry Green, Skip Eaton &; Soul'd Out, Dean Z & The Sin City Beats), Rockin' Roulettes, Rockin' Roosters, Al Ek & The Blues Allstars, and Chuck Berry. He has been in acts that opened for; the Stray Cats, Ted Nugent, the Paladins, Rev. Horton Heat, Chuck Berry, and the Mavericks. Rob has been writing songs since 1985 and had two songs published by Warner/Chappell music in 2000. Rob plays a Kay Upright Bass with an Underwood pickup and Eurosonic strings. He uses Digitech effects, a Behringer bass amp, and a Nemesis speaker cabinet.
BRETT BARNES - Vocals, Drums
Brett Barnes holds a Masters Degree in Percussion and a Bachelors in Music Education from The University of Arkansas. He has performed in many major Las Vegas hotels including Mandalay Bay (House of Blues) and the Hard Rock Hotel (The Joint). Brett has also performed at the famous Grand ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. He has performed with; Ernie Watts, Bill Wattrous, Ray Stevens, Aretha Franklin, Rick Danko, Andrea Bocelli, Seminiferous, Junior Brantley (fabulous Thunderbirds & Jimmy Vaughn), Moody Scott, and The Pickadillos. Brett has been involved as a performer with the shows; Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, Purple Reign (prince tribute), and Toni and Tina’s Wedding. Brett teaches as a music specialist for the Clark County School District and is President of the Nevada Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society. Brett Barnes is proud to play MRP Custom Drums, use Evans Drumheads and Vater drumsticks.
