June 17, 2024
Music & Arts Rock Road Show 2024: The Wrap-Up
Buck Johnson rocks Birmingham, Ala., in June.
This year, summer started with a bang thanks to a new live event series from Music & Arts, Gibson and D’Addario. Rock Road Show 2024 kicked off in June and traveled throughout the Southeastern United States, thrilling music fans and inspiring musicians to pick up and commit to their instruments.
Throughout six Rock Road Show events, fans got the chance to connect with artists Buck Johnson (Aerosmith, Hollywood Vampires), Dean Cramer (Bret Michaels Band) and Damon Johnson (Lynyrd Skynyrd). The events featured live performances, educational clinics and Q&A sessions where attendees learned instrument tips and industry insights from these experienced musicians.
Each Rock Road Show artist offered his own unique lessons and guidance. At his events, guitarist and vocalist Damon Johnson stressed the importance of self-confidence and taking pride in one’s personal musical gifts. He also discussed how crucial it is to be a good hang—meaning the kind of reasonable, easygoing person you’d want to tour with—and performed some of his original music.
Singer, pianist and acoustic guitarist Buck Johnson also performed original tunes, and told stories of pinch-me moments from throughout his career, featuring Aerosmith, Ringo Starr and other greats. Dean Cramer reflected on his formative years in the 1980s, when guitar heroes like Eddie Van Halen, Slash and Yngwie Malmsteen blew his mind and gave him the musical elements he could use to create his own sound. He also stressed that a career in music is often a long haul, full of challenges and setbacks that need to be overcome before you score the big gig.
Fans were also treated to exclusive gear giveaways and discount opportunities. Music & Arts partnered with D’Addario to create prize packs filled with essential gear for all rock ’n’ roll musicians, including guitar strings, a cable, a tuner, a guitar strap, drumheads, sticks and a practice pad. Attendees also received special day-of-event deals like 40%-off top gear. And everyone who attended was entered to win the ultimate prize—a Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s Plain Top, valued at $2,599.
“D’Addario was thrilled to partner with Music & Arts on the Rock Road Show,” said Pat Zerbo, New Business Development Manager at D’Addario. “What a great opportunity to inspire musicians of all levels, hear some amazing stories and listen to great live music!”
Sweepstakes & Prizes
Among all the prizes offered during the Rock Road Show events, the most sought-after was the Gibson Les Paul.
The winner of this gorgeous guitar was Josh Walraven, a musician and longtime customer of the Ken Stanton Music & Arts in Marietta, Ga. Congratulations on the new axe, Josh! We can’t wait to hear what you’ll create with it.
Josh Walraven, center, with his grand-prize Les Paul.
Words of Wisdom
Even though Rock Road Show 2024 is over, we didn’t want the fun to end. So we caught up with the artists to share their words of wisdom for aspiring musicians.
Guitarist Damon Johnson of Lynyrd Skynyrd remembers growing up playing music with family and friends in rural Alabama, never dreaming of becoming a professional musician. “It felt like a total pipe dream,” he says. Eventually, Johnson’s talent, work ethic and ability to forge personal relationships led to opportunities with Thin Lizzy, Carlos Santana, Alice Cooper and many more. “To make it in this business, you need to work hard and treat people with respect,” he shares. “I would show up early and stay late. I would keep in touch. Every one of those opportunities happened because I had kept in touch with someone.”
“My biggest piece of advice is to listen to a variety of bands and styles of music,” said Dean Cramer, guitarist and backing vocalist for Bret Michaels Band. “Expose yourself to everything that’s out there and figure out what resonates with you. Those influences will naturally find their way into the music you create, whether you realize it or not. Also, learn at least some basic music theory and how to apply it. Whether you’re playing, writing or on the production side of things, theory will help you communicate with others and boost your creativity.”
Buck Johnson of Aerosmith and Hollywood Vampires stressed the importance of dedication and professionalism. “My advice is simple: Work hard, be persistent, be yourself and stay humble,” he said. “Who you are off stage and how you treat others is more important for sustaining a career in music than what you do on stage. A lot of people want to be rock stars, but not everyone is willing to put in the thousands of hours required to even have a shot. When you land a gig, be professional and rehearse thoroughly. And remember, in our profession, if you’re on time, then you’re late!”
