Country/Pop Sensation Balances Rock Stardom With Reality

Like many recording artists, Chris Gardner has seen the music industry from a variety of angles, during it’s good times and bad. He’s an independent song writer, musician and singer, and he can tell you what it’s like to work through the night, get up early the next morning and prepare for yet another show with little or no money to work with. For some music is a hobby, but Gardner, like most independent artists, has gotten use to the uncertainty of a hobby that he loves, but now greater than any other time in his life, he’s witnessing his big break, and life couldn’t be better. When many would have thrown in the towel, trying to record that platinum-selling album, Gardner formulated a plan to attract the vocal power that he needed to reach outside of his box of comfort. This plan included recording with the likes of world renound vocalist Sarah Dash, famous for her contributions to records by Rock Legend Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, The Marshall Tucker Band and LaBelle.

Well after 20 years of performing original music around Texas and New York, Gardner, is hot on the trail of promotion, performance and appearances for release “Belong”, recorded with industry veteran Sarah Dash. It’s not often that you see a duo in the industry delivering two different styles that borderline Pop and Country, but as a connoisseur of Country licks that put a whipping on the mind, Gardner brings about a twist in the writing to make his fans want to listen. Dash, on the other hand, a vocalist trained to do what she does with her eyes closed, is from the old school, and has her own style layering every record she touches with R&B, Pop and Gospel blessings that would make any singer jealous. Together they deliver vocals that will be sure to win you over. “ I feel very blessed and gracious to have Sarah as a vocalist on my record, “ says Gardner. “ She just has one of those voices that I’ve always loved. We made this process very easy for her. We recorded the music and most of my vocals in Texas and then we flew to New York to record hers. We had one day together, where she came into the studio and did her part. Then we recorded some together and it was done. It was short and sweet and she did a excellent job.”

Gardner was born as an Air Force brat in Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he grew up in Buffalo, New York. After school, he received a baseball scholarship, which took him to Texas. While in training, he blew out his shoulder in the first season. Since he loved music and was looking for a new opportunity to help pay for school, he began entering Country Music contests for a radio station to promote his music. The contest paid off, when he was nominated for 3^rd place in the state of Texas. Since then, he’s traveled between New York and Houston, working in clubs developing his style and sound. In the mid 1990’s he put music on hold for 12 to 13 years to work on family. During this time, he worked very hard to put all the pieces to his recording and music career back together. “This was a difficult period in my life, “states Gardner. “ I had just went through a divorce and got custody of my two children. When it came to recording, I would go record maybe 3 or 4 songs at a time until I had a full album of material so that when I was ready to get back out there again, I had all my work done. I did this for a while, along side being a father and coaching little league soccer, basketball, taking the kids to piano lessons and all that. But I’m really proud now because the kids (he has two) are doing well in school. One is a Junior on a Trumpet Scholarship at Stephen F. Austin University, and the other is a Freshman on an Academic Scholarship at The University of Houston”. He’s also worked with Patrick McGuire (Gabriel, Diamond Rio), Mark Matejka (Charlie Daniels, Lynryrd Skynyrd) and Mike Sack, (Goo Goo Dolls), where he recorded a demo CD for Chris with his former band, “Cultured Species. Gardner’s other job is that of owner and operator of Spectrum DHI, a locksmith company, where they install and trouble shoot-locking mechanisms for major corporations and construction sites. “I feel very fortunate that I have this other life, “ continues Gardner. “ The music and entertainment business is so hard right now and people are really starving. Then to have the music, I feel that I get my therapy (through music), have fun, and make a decent living at the same time.”

Gardner worked tirelessly in the studio with two time Grammy Winner Andy Bradley to pin his recent album release entitled “Nothing For Free”, which includes singles “Miracles”, “Wastin Time”, “ It’s Alright”, “ Human”, “Take Me Away’, “Bottle Bag”, “ Right Outside your Door”, “ Stinky Guy”, “Nothing For Free” and “Belong”, with Dash. “This was a fun project for me, “ states Dash. “ I love Chris’s song writing. He’s a very positive person. We did this song in New York, and he had it all together, and I love working with people when they are this professional. We sang together two times and I let the spirit lead me and we got the project done. I like it when those I work with come with a complete package. Like past projects that I was called in to do that were not R&B or Pop, this project gives me that fortunate opportunity where I get to broaden my horizons and reach markets that otherwise I would not have. I’m moved by who is watching me as a singer and performer. And it’s a good feeling. My talents are being heard and appreciated by so many people that it’s just incredible. It was a chance meeting that I met Keith Richards, but he instantly knew of me and wanted to work with me because of my voice. This was similar. Chris stated he was a fan of my work on LaBelle’s Lady Marmalade, and he knew then that he wanted some day to do a duet. So I feel very blessed and fortunate that people recognize me and want to work with me.”

Gardner has released five projects in the past, where some have received moderate play on college radio and others have gotten national attention. He further explains where he would like to take “Nothing For Free. “ I can already see where this is going to be the break through project for me, “ states Gardner in closing. “ We shot a video in the later part of last year and waited until this year to release the album. We’re getting a lot of people who like what they’re hearing and things are getting better and better everyday. I love the Internet and it’s an incredible tool. I feel that I’ve somewhat missed it, but it’s an awesome tool to promote your work. I do see this as a means for young people to hold on to their dreams that they can make it in this industry. For me, writing songs is about my life and the things I go through are like therapy for me”. Where Dash leaves final comments. “ When I was offered this opportunity, I began doing research on Chris, and he’s a great song writer. That’s the era I come from. I’m a product of great songwriters, singers and performers and I believe he’s that caliber of entertainer”.

For more information on Chris Gardner, visit http://www.chrisgardnermusic.com.

For more information on Sarah Dash, visit http://sarahdash.net/

Red Carpet Treatment for Apollo Drummer’s “Soul Snacks”

If you’ve ever been to the World Famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, on show nights, it’s straight lights, camera, action and the who’s who of the music and entertainment industry could be standing just a few footsteps away. Ralph Rolle, the Show Time At The Apollo Veteran Drummer and businessman has gotten use to all the star-studded hoopla after 18 years of playing with the best in a line up that has included hundreds of performers, established and new comers. He’s also no stranger to making cookies, and watching how the tasty treats bring a smile to everyone’s face lucky enough to eat one. Yea that’s right- a drummer who bakes cookies? Wow, now that’s original and for sure worthy of a day in the spotlight. Rolle is the proud owner of The Soul Snacks Cookie Company, a sweeter secret than he and his family ever imagined. To celebrate the return of the company, Rolle is working harder than ever to balance a career in music while becoming a king in the snack industry.

“This is a recipe that came from many generations of my family, “ explains Rolle. “Baking cookies is just something that I was taught since I was kid growing up”. The Soul Snacks Cookie Company was founded in 1996, while Ralph was living in an apartment. Today the company is housed in a bakery in Long Island City, New York. “Yea this was something that I had my former girlfriend to help me with, “ as he continues. “ We were baking cookies out of the house and people loved them. I actually had a music studio in the house and all the different musicians and singers that came by, we didn’t go all out and get expensive foods or any of that, we just gave them cookies. So people were like ‘ you need to sell them cookies’, and finally we put our heads together and took a shot at it”. What resulted was people throughout the surrounding areas began asking for the tasty treats and Rolle was in business. The business lasted, but the then relationship failed. The cookie flavors cover a variety including the Down Home Double Chocolate Chip, the Georgia Oatmeal Raisin, the Miami Raisin Nut, the Chunked Up Chocolate Walnut, the Peanut Peanut Butter cookie, the Grampy’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie, and the recently added Sweet Potato Cookie. Cookie tins are $12.50 each, or you can purchase a gift box, which includes an assortment of cookies for $65.00.

Beyond his passion to bake cookies, Rolle is a gifted and inspiring musician who has traveled the world, working with a variety of artist, including Biggie Smalls, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, India Arie, Roberta Flack, and is the drummer for Showtime At The Apollo along with Ray Chew and The Crew. “ I started playing drums in 1978 after experience from the Drum and Bugle Corp, “continues Rolle. “This group was everything for me. I learned so much and it gave me so much exposure to all kinds of people and techniques. My first professional job was when I turned 19 years old. I was on the road and I played with anyone that would give me a paycheck. Back in those days playing the clubs and bars was totally different, and after playing all night you might have $100.00. So in doing the roadwork, I landed the job of A&R for Jive Records. One of my major accounts at the time was that of the group High Five, which really gave me an opportunity to gain exposure and experience. The next project was Robert Kelly (R. Kelly), I had a hand in working with him as well.”

Rolle has been a musician for 33 years, where he got his start in music as a member of the Drum and Bugle Corp. He remembers how at age 9 he would visit The Apollo Theater for the first time. “When I was young my mother would only allow my sister to go to the Apollo if she would take me with her. So for me this was great because I will never forget one of the shows we went to, which had on the marquee, The Jackson 5, and I thought to myself, why do they have a Gospel Group as the headliners? We went inside and I saw this little small kid named Michael Jackson, singing, tearing the Apollo up. I was hooked, and I’ve been going ever since. For me, The Apollo is like our very own Smithsonian Institute, with all the lights and everything. It was very fascinating and exciting for me. The way I got the gig as drummer for The Apollo, was that the lead drummer at the time, Buddy Williams, was real busy, and he asked if I would sub for him. The Executive Producer of the show and Ray Chew got together and decided they liked what I was doing and I worked well with the other musicians and they hired me on full time”. But the magic is in what Rolle would love to do for today’s generation, “ My other passion is working with our youth, “ as he continues. “ Something that I have not done and wish to establish is something like the Drum and Bugle Corp, similar to what I had growing up. With all the music programs being cut in the schools, and money for the arts slowly being cut everywhere, I feel that young people would really benefit from such a venture. So to establish a funding source for kids to get instruments would be a program I could see investing in for the future”.

Searching for that perfect solution to merge entertainment and baking, Rolle depends on family to make all of his operations run smoothly. His nephew is owner and operator of Jaia Distributing, which is responsible for delivering his Soul Snack Cookies throughout the city and other areas, while his sister handles the day-to-day business administration duties. In building his brand, he utilizes the skills and talents of PR guru Angelo Ellerbe and Double Exposure Public Relations. Just a few of the celebrities who have enjoyed Rolle’s tasty snacks include Singer Gladys Knight, Academy Award Winners’ Whoppi Goldberg and Monique, Actor Chris Rock, TV personality Lou Dobbs, Actress/Singer Jennifer Lopez, Actor Steve Harvey, Singer Roberta Flack, Singer D’Angelo, DJ Kid Capri, Rapper Doggie Fresh and others. “We’re one big family, “ says Rolle. “ I’m so busy and I can’t do it all so I have other people who help me make it all happen. But with technology today, I might be out of the country, but with the Blackberry, and computers, I can still do what I do even though I’m not there. The way I see it there are no excuses any more. We have the tools; you just have to be willing to put in the time. Sometimes sleep is a commodity in my life. I have started a many businesses sitting on the phone and on the computer at the same time. So it can be done, we just have to be willing to put in the time to make it work.”

For the future, look for Rolle as he continues his gig at Showtime At The Apollo. In closing he says, “ Live with passion. I don’t want a single day to go by that I didn’t do something good in the world”. Upcoming events for Ralph Rolle include touring with Recording Artist Nile Rodgers and Chic in China and Japan. He’s also in the process of completing some voice over work and recently created an online social networking company entitled http://www.imgiggin.com/. His company, Rolle Entertainment is currently developing and working with singer Danielle Ashley and Singer/Counselor Dr. Eric Turner. The Soul Snack Cookie Brand (888-SOUL-NYC) or (http://www.soulsnacksnyc.com/Soul_Snacks/Home.html) is soon to be available nationwide via The Chef’s Warehouse Distributing Company. For more information about Ralph Rolle visit http://web.mac.com/phatkatproductions/Ralph_Rolle/Welcome.html