Musicians with Addictions Find Hope

Posted by hollis on May 20, 2012 in Past Blogs | Comments Off

Whitney overdosed in a hotel bathroom. Amy died of alcohol poisoning. Lil Wayne admitted to his codeine addiction. It’s all too common that celebrity musicians — people whom so many of us admire, respect and aspire to be — die of drug overdoses. And it’s no surprise that the music world’s rich and famous are some of the most susceptible to addiction; they have money to spend, loved ones to miss on the road and lifestyles that can often seem fleeting, superficial and supportive of substance use.

Rockers In Recovery is a really cool organization that works in conjunction with the RIR Band, helps entertainers with drug and alcohol problems enter treatment programs.  “Those who work with celebrities say the key to dealing with drug abuse is early intervention, effective treatment and a support system. They say recovery is a lifelong process.”

That’s all true! But early intervention, effective treatment and a support system is key for any addict, whether or not he or she is famous.

If your a musician suffering from addiction, or a family member of a musician in need of help. Please feel free to contact us at 866-359-6320 or email us at ts@rockersinrecovery.com

Rockers In Recovery 2nd Annual Memorial Day Free Picnic

Posted by hollis on May 18, 2012 in Past Blogs | Comments Off

Rockers In Recovery   Memorial Day FREE Picnic and Free Music May 26, 10AM-4PM EST  By Invitation Only Event  Join Our Email ListEmail: Call 954-826-4920 for more information RIR would like to welcome our special guest Broward County Drug Court.  Special Guest Speaker- Broward County Drug Court Judge Gisele Pollack    Event Sponsor- Treatment Solutions Network  Food Sponsor- Miami Subs and Grill Venue Sponsor- 1ST Step Sober House   No Alcohol or Drugs Allowed Violators Will Be Asked To Leave..  Venue Location: Quiet Waters Park 401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 Call 954-826-4920 For More Information.  RIR Band Featuring:  Musical Director: Ricky Byrd ( 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominee with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts)   Richie Supa (Aerosmith and Richie Sambora) Muddy Shews (Southside Johnny)  Liberty DeVitto ( Billy Joel Band) Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge) Christine Ohlman (SNL Band)     (more…)

ROCKERS IN RECOVERY MUSIC FESTIVAL

Posted by hollis on May 2, 2012 in Past Blogs | Comments Off

ROCKERS IN RECOVERY MUSIC FESTIVAL 

 NOVEMBER 2-4,2012
Venue Location: CB Smith Park – Pembroke Pines,Florida

It’s a Recovery Palooza , minus the drugs and alcohol, but add meetings and fellowship! RIR Music Fest is a campout for ALL people in recovery or supporters of recovery.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Early Bird Ticket Sales

$60.00 Click To Order 3 Day Ticket- after July 1, 2012 – $70.00

$40.00 Click To Order 2 Day Ticket – after July 1, 2012 – $50.00

No Tickets Will Be Sold At Gate

If You Wish To Campout At The RIR Music Fest
*Separate Camping Reservations are Needed:

Camping at CB Smith Park: This 299-acre site is one of Broward County Parks and Recreation’s most diverse parks, as well as one of its most popular. The park offers a large campground, a tennis complex, a family golfing center, and many other amenities.

View Map

View Camping Prices

Please contact C.B. Smith Park 900 N. Flamingo Rd. Pembroke Pines, FL 33028 Phone: 954-357-5170 or click here.

3 Days of Sober and Clean Fun

RIR Band-Mark Stein, Liberty Devitto ,Christine Ohlman,Ricky Byrd, Kasim Sulton, and Richie Supa

RIR Music Festival Schedule

9am- 10pm Friday November 2, 2012:
Recovery Speaker -
Full Range
Jimmy Stowe & the Stowaways
Johnny B. and The Road Dogs
Sooner or Later
RIR JAM

9am- 10pm Saturday November 3, 2012:
Recovery Speaker -
Keep Coming Back
Thrown Alive
Black Finger
The Chillbillies
Selfish Steam
RIR Band – Mark Stein(Vanilla Fudge), Liberty Devitto(Billy Joel) , Christine Ohlman(Saturday Night Live Band), Ricky Byrd(Joan Jett and the Blackhearts), Kasim Sulton(Todd Rundgren and Utopia), Richie Supa
(Aerosmith and Richie Sambora) and special guests.

9am – 12pm- Sunday November 4, 2012:
Recovery Speaker -
Solo Acoustic Sets By:
Richie Supa
Ricky Byrd
Kasim Sulton
Count Down
Closing Ceremonies

We will be adding more bands to the lineup over the next month.

Rockers In Recovery (RIR) In The News

Sponsors and Vendors: If your interested in becoming a sponsor or a vendor call 954-826-4920 or Email john@rockersinrecovery.com no later then July 1st ,2012.

When I Go Away – Levon Helm

Posted by hollis on Apr 20, 2012 in Past Blogs | Comments Off

Levon Helm “When I Go Away”

Don’t want no sorrow
For this old orphan boy
I don’t want no crying
Only tears of joy
I’m gonna see my mother
Gonna see my father
And I’ll be bound for glory
In the morning
When I go away

The Beehive Queen Christine Ohlman Remembering Levon Helm

Christine Ohlman and Levon Helm

It was a crisp fall day in late 2008 when we gathered at Levon Helm’s studio in Woodstock to partake of his generosity in agreeing to sit in on two tracks for my CD The Deep End.

Andy York of John Mellencamp’s band, my longtime friend and co-producer was there with Paul Ossola (at that time the bassman in Levon’s band, but also a compadre of many years going back to The Scratch Band, Paul’s and my band with GE Smith. Paul was the catalyst for the session, having pitched the idea to Levon, for which I am eternally grateful). Also with us were Jeff Kazee (keys in the NYC Hit Squad and Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, and a fabulously soulful vocalist himself) and the great Marshall Crenshaw on second guitar and baritone guitar.

Levon had graciously lent not only studio space but himself as drummer on Marshall’s and my duet, “What’s The Matter With You Baby,” a Motown chestnut originally recorded by Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells (Marshall is a Detroit boy, born and raised, so I thought the song a good choice!).

Andy York, Marshall Crenshaw, Christine Ohlman, Levon Helm, Paul Ossola, Jeff Kazee

The studio in Woodstock is clean, beautiful space, almost devoid of the usual baffles and glass. Even the control room is just a balcony, completely open to the rest of the studio, which sits below it. Upon entering the room, Levon had greeted me so warmly, taking my hand in both of his and saying his name, “Leh-VOHN”, with that Arkansas lilt. I was captivated and charmed immediately by this lovely man, known as “Lee” to his friends.

The session moved quickly, and we soon had what we thought was a pretty good take. Lee seemed frail; he’d recently resumed playing after his first bout with the cancer, and I didn’t want to overtax him. We gathered in the control room, listened, and all eyes turned to Lee.  ”You’re singing your ass off on every take,” he said, fixing me in his sights with a chuckle, “but personally, I don’t think I did myself any favors with what I just played.  Would you mind if we took it again?” (more…)