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RODGER'S BIO
RODGER
MAXWELL
Award
Winning Songwriter
cowboy
& western balladeer
Traditional, contemporary, and
original songs of the American West are the music of award winning
songwriter and cowboy & western balladeer Rodger Maxwell. He
blends his rich descriptive baritone voice with his unique guitar
styling. Folks say that Rodger's songs take them back in time
to the old west.
Rodger is a Past President, and a charter member of, the
California Chapter of the Western Music Association. He comes
from a tradition of Saturday night family sing a longs, where all
the generations got together to sing, with his dad playing
guitar. Rodger describes himself as a second-generation
cowboy singer. “My dad had a show on WRNY radio, in the 30’s,
singing cowboy songs, so I am the Son of a Cowboy
Singer”.
Rodger grew up in the era of Hoppy, Roy, and Gene (Hopalong
Cassidy, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry). He enjoyed the old western
songs he heard his dad sing and the recordings of Gene, Roy, and
others. When his life took him west, he got interested in the
history, lore, and code of the west. So Rodger started singing
the songs himself and then writing his own story songs in the
tradition and style of the old songs.
Rodger , based in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles,
performs regularly at: the Museum of the American West (Autry)
hosting the 3rd Sunday of the Month Western Music Jamboree.
Rodger performs at many festivals, fairs, and clubs such as; Western
Music Association Festival, Arizona Cowboy Symposium, Vaquero Days,
Tombstone Cowboy Festival, Conejo Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival,
Coffee Gallery Backstage, and numerous campfires. He was
selected for the Musicians Roster of the Los Angeles County Arts
Commission.
He describes his musical influences as running the gamut from
Homer and Jethro to the Golden Gate Quartet, from Carson Robison to
Burl Ives, and from Gene Autry to Django Reinhardt. His songs
are word paintings and they don’t stick to one style.
He might surprise you with some whistling, banjitar,
banjo, ukulele, mandolin, acoustic bass guitar, or whatever else he
can get his hands on.
WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT RODGER
MAXWELL
"Here is one entertainer who lives up to his biography. When
he is on stage it's very easy to close you eyes and visualize being
around campfire on a trail drive 100 years ago. He certainly has the
ability to tell a story of the 'old west' with a song". John Payne, President, Arizona Cowboy
Symposium
"I thoroughly enjoyed your CD- it has an old-time
western flavor to it that takes the listener back in time", and says
of "Never Start", one of Rodger's originals, "...an outstanding song
that should receive coverage by lots of western artists. It paints
such a great picture of the pioneers. I played it over and over just
to make sure I caught every word. This one could become a classic."
Marvin O'Dell, Around the Campfire radio
program
"Rodger's ability to draw a clear picture of how western
music should be played took my attention from the very first track,
a heartfelt and moving story song. The whole album is intriguing
with its simplicity and the listening is a pleasure."
Remo Ricaldone host of Happy Trails radio show
on Susa Onda Radio, in Italy
"...your CD is infectious and delightful", Jack Wong Will James Society
"Thank you for the wonderful CD, I...love it", Rita Reiff, Western Riding
Club
"This is
a Western CD in full range-We like it-lots of good songs", MCWC Radio Sweden
"Fine
collection of Western songs worth spinning", Compagnie/Touch Radio
Netherlands
"Rodger
Maxwell is that rare musician who has learned his trade. He sings,
writes and plays with skill and enthusiasm that has earned him the
title of "Journeyman." He is a many faceted entertainer who is not
afraid to stretch and amuse his listeners with his sense of humor
and his music". ,
Bob Stane, Coffee Gallery
Backstage
Rodger Maxwell's CD is chocked full of good basic
cowboy music. By basic I mean that each cut is just Rodger and his
guitar (or one of several other instruments) There are no studio
musicians or fancy productions, Mr. Maxwell just sits down with his
guitar and sings. The results sounds like you're sitting around a
campfire listening to some fine new and old cowboy music.
Reviewer: Mary H - CDBABY
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