| |
 |
|
| |
| |
“The High Riders”
were formed in 1982,
when Roy Rogers Jr. was looking to form a road band. “The
High Riders” were named by none other than Dale Evans and
since their inception, they have had many different
members throughout their 25 years.
The
current members of “The High Riders” include Dom Calvano,
Sean Clavin, Phil Conti, Kirstien Renna, Nathan Agdeppa
and Gary LeMaster. These members come from a diverse
background of musical influences.
As with most groups, “The High Riders” have a wide
variety of personalities, which enhance their
stage presence and chemistry as a group. We have
our clowns (Dom & Sean), our quiet one (Phil), our
serious one (Kirstien), our ladies man (Gary) and
Nathan rounds the group out being the nice guy.
“The High
Riders” are currently performing western music in
Branson, MO.
at the “Happy Trails Theater” with Roy Rogers Jr.
In addition to being well versed in western music,
“The High Riders” are also known for being a top
40 country band. Their talents comprise other
types of music as well including, Rock, Blues,
Classical and Gospel. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Drums and
vocals: Dom Calvano
Dominick Calvano was born in Los Angeles California sometime during
the late 1950s, exact date unknown. Dom's father and uncles were
all musicians, and watching them playing and having so much fun
was a huge factor in forming his passion for music. Dom first
started playing guitar, then switched to drums when the band he was
in with his brother, needed a drummer. From high school until age
23 he toured all over the country with a club band. The years of
being away from home and missing his family brought him back to
Victorville, California where he began to work in the family
business, a wonderful fresh produce store that was a landmark of
the High Desert of California for many years. |
In 1984, Dom met Matt Starner, who at that time was the steel
guitar player for The High Riders. Matt introduced Dom to Roy
Rogers Jr., and at that time he became the newest member of The
High Riders. As well as managing The High Riders, Dom has also
produced all of their music. In addition, he also produces radio
jingles for Chameleon Productions from his recording studio, 23rd
Productions. Dom has also produced for numerous artist from all
over the country, and he welcomes new clients to contact him and
visit his studio to begin their own projects.
Dom has two wonderful daughters, Mandy and Kristi-Lynn. Mandy
manages a health-care business, and Kristi-Lynn is in high school,
playing drums for the high school band and drum line. |
|
|
 |
Backup vocals & guitar: Kirstien
Renna
Kirstien, a California native, started her musical career at a
very young age singing in church and also in her fathers bluegrass
gospel group, "The Kings Ambassadors". The group traveled
throughout Southern California performing at various churches and
missions.
Now transplanted to the Branson area, she has performed with The
High Riders for over 10 years as lead vocal and backup vocals to
Roy Rogers Jr., as well as playing guitar. Prior to joining The
High Riders, she performed with several bands in Southern |
|
California and has been the opening
act for such notable entertainers as Toby Keith, Crystal Gayle and
Hal Ketchum. |
|
|
 |
Lead Guitar:
Sean Clavin
Sean was born in 1962 in Woodbridge, England. His father was a
fighter pilot and his mother a homemaker. He is the fourth child
with 2 older brothers, one older sister and one younger sister.
His family lived on Cape Cod until they settled in Apple Valley,
CA in 1968. Sean first picked up his older sister's guitar at the
age of 11 and never looked back. After she showed him a few chords
he started to play in the church youth choir where his sister was
the director.
|
Entering High School Sean joined several local country and blues
bands and was playing professionally by age 16. Sean's main
influences were Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters and Andres
Segovia. Playing every chance he got, Sean taught himself
classical guitar as well as country, blues
and rock. After graduating high school, Sean continued to play in
bands and started to play all over the west coast.
Wanting to share his passion for the guitar, Sean started private
instruction in the mid 80's, teaching six days a week with over
80 students per week. Sean also started doing session work for a
local recording studio playing on many recordings, TV commercials,
radio jingles, his own instructional CD's, and has co-written a
song for a motion picture. Still playing guitar in several local
bands, he met current High Riders bass player Phil Conti in a band
called Bullseye. A few years later playing in another band he met
Dom Calvano, the High Riders
drummer. Dom asked the both of them to join the High Riders in the
mid 90's, and they have been playing together ever since.
During the show you can see Sean sing, play electric guitar,
acoustic
guitar, lap style dobro, classical guitar and even clown around a
bit.
Moving to the Ozarks with The High Riders in 2003, he still plays
in his church choir, does session work for 23rd Productions, and
teaches on a limited basis. He and his wife Theresa have 5
children; Courtney, Justin, Patrick, Thomas, and Tyler, and 2
grandchildren; Steven and Laila |
|
|
 |
Electric &
Upright Bass: Phillip W. Conti
Phil was born in 1961, and was raised in Barstow California. He
grew up in the restaurant business, as his parents owned and
operated a restaurant and cocktail lounge where he also worked.
The bands that played at the lounge, sometimes including Phillips
brother Paul, were a large influence in his decision to become a
musician.
Growing up, Phillip played a variety of instruments, including the
violin, keyboards, and guitar, until finding his niche with the
electric bass. Phillip that the great fortune to have studied under
Colgan Bryan, a Guitar Institute of Technology graduate. |
| When Phillip moved to Riverside California in 1984 to manage his
uncles and restaurant, which he did for over 18 years, he had been
playing bass in various country and rock bands. Years later, while
playing in a band called Bullseye, which also eventually included
Sean Calvin, (fellow current High Riders band mate) they met Dom
Calvano, who was (and is) The
High Riders drummer. Dom invited both of them to join The High
Riders. Accepting the offer, this has brought about the biggest
change in Phillips musical career. Recording and traveling all over
the country has been
very exciting and rewarding for Phillip. The move to Branson
Missouri in 2003 with his longtime soul mate Kaz, has opened up a
whole new chapter in his life and career. |
|
|
 |
Guitar &
Vocals: Gary LeMaster
Gary was born into a musical family in Ashland Kentucky on
September 20, 1942. Near the age of six or seven Gary came into
possession of an old Regal guitar which further inspired his
interest. By the time he had graduated from high school he was
"banging on the piano," though he admits he never really mastered
the instrument, and at the same time he was becoming rather
proficient on a number of wind and string instruments.
By the time he was 13, Gary had formed his first rock band, The
Bandits. In 1959 he assembled a professional sounding group, The
Jewels, before going on to be a part of The Hollywood Argyles,
|
who in 1961 had to hit record "Alley Oop." During this time he was
perfecting his guitar techniques, and by concentrating on just the
one instrument, he soon became a better than average guitarist.
In 1964, he served in Vietnam with the 16th infantry of the "Big
Red One," quartered out of Fort Riley Kansas, remaining in the
Army until 1966. After the Army, he soon became a member of The
Nov-elites, a vocal and comedy group headed up by Frankie Carr.
Gary's influence in his own abilities led him to form a trio in
1976, and when Sam and Bill Boyd build a country and western
nightspot called Sam's Town, Gary was appointed entertainment
director while still performing with his new quartet, the fourth
spot filled by his wife Valerie.
In November of 1986, he joined the western singing group "The Sons
of the Pioneers", started of course, by Roy Rogers, Ken Spencer and
Bob Nolan. He was with them for 20 years before joining The High
Riders in 2006. |
|
|
 |
Fiddle Player: Nathan Agdeppa
Nathan was born in 1974 around San Diego California area. His
mother, a retired concert pianist, was a big influence on his
musical career. At the age of six his parents decided to move the
family to Arkansas. This is where Nathan picked up the fiddle, and
was fortunate enough to study under three-time Arkansas State
fiddle champion Wayne Massengale. He has also studied guitar, bass
guitar, and piano as well.
Nathan has been performing professionally since the age of 14,
starting out in campgrounds and amusement parks. In 1994 he began
performing in Branson Missouri, and has been in many shows over
the past 13 years. Currently he performs with |
|
The High Riders, as well as the Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down in Eureka
Springs Arkansas, a group which he has been affiliated with since
2003. We are proud to have him with us, and we know that you will
enjoy his charm, and his great fiddle playing. |
|
|
 |
Roy "Dusty" Rogers Jr.
Roy Rogers Jr. (better known as Dusty), is the oldest natural son
of famed western stars Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Dusty grew up in
the San Fernando Valley of California with his five sisters and
one brother. Dusty admits that he wanted to get into show business
since he was 16.
Dusty's first professional taste with a small part in his father's
TV series, " The Roy Rogers Show " on NBC, while he was very
small. In those early years he appeared in movies like, "To Kill A
Thief" and " Arizona Bushwhackers " released by Paramount
pictures. He even starred in his own television variety show
entitled, "The Roy Rogers Jr. Show".
As Dusty's career began to grow, other hidden talents began to
develop. Following the footsteps of his dad and mom, Dusty began
his recording career which opened new opportunities to appear in
many major rodeos, state fairs, conventions, concert halls and
|
dinner houses throughout the United States and Canada. His
autobiography, "Growing up with Roy and Dale" enlightens us to
what it is like being the son of such famous parents. Dusty also serves as the President and Executive Director of the
Roy Rogers-Dale Evens Museum. Since the passing of his dad and
mom, Dusty acts as the main spokesperson for the entire Rogers
family.
Whether appearing by himself or with his band, "The High Riders",
you will experience a wide variety of emotion as you listen to
Dusty sing, and appreciate his transparency as he shares some of
his family's moments. Dusty continues the legacy of Roy and Dale
by providing quality entertainment for the entire family.
Since June 2003, Dusty and his band has been performing twice
daily, five days a week, in the "Happy Trails Theater", which is
housed inside the Roy Rogers Dale-Evans Museum in Branson
Missouri. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
FOR BOOKING INFO CONTACT
US@THEHIGHRIDERS.COM |
|
|
|
|
|
