Archived News 2012-2014

Riverrock is honored for being included in Deb Goodrich Bisel's new book on Kansas Music history. There's a great section on the Kansas Music Hall of Fame that includes Riverrock and Glow (KC). Dan Smith got to name drop his brothers Philip Lincoln Smith and Steven Conan Smith. There's also cool pictures of Riverrock. Donna Lee Daugherty and David H. Moore will owe Dan a spanking for spacing out their credits, because he's just not used to having his picture in a book (outside of mugshots). But, they will probably get credit in the eBook version and a second printing. Many thanks to both of them for being fans and photogs. Here's where you can order the book and edjumucate yourself about Kansas Music: 

https://www.historypress.net/catalogue/bookstore/books/Location/Midwest/Kansas/Kansas-Music/9781626191778 

Thanks to my Riverrock partners, Allen Blasco, John Mumma, Paul Mumma and alumni, Steve Hall, Jim Blanton, Rick Harrelson, Scotty Yates, Joe Callahan and Frank Brown along with the Dixie Cadillacs for coming together to put on such a great show at Riverrock's 40th Anniversary/Reunion at Knuckleheads Saloon. And, thanks to all our fans for keeping the dream alive after 40 years! 

 We are pleased to announce that Roger Carson, the morning drive host on 106.5 The Wolf, will be Master of Ceremonies at Riverrock's 40th Anniversary/Reunion show at Knuckleheads Saloon on Friday, September 5th. 

 Things are coming together for the 40th Anniversary/Reunion Show on September 5th at Knuckleheads Saloon.  The award winning Dixie Cadillacs have been added as the opening act.  

Formed in the mid-1980s, The Dixie Cadillacs are a popular and influential country-rock and honky tonk band in Kansas City. The indestructible Dennis Dressler, drummer and band leader of the Cadillacs, has kept the band rolling down the road in its many forms for decades and can boast some of the best road stories and brushes with fame that few bands can duplicate.  Some of Kansas City's best musicians have played a part of the band's history, including Steve Covey, Phil Vandel, John Sage, Dan Doran, Kenny Tuna and X Factor winner, Tate Stevens. 

Frank Brown of the Dixie Cadillacs is ready and excited to play as an opener and as a guest with Riverrock.  He was a member of Riverrock a chunk of the 1990s and came to Kansas City in the early 1980s after a five-year stint in the Gilley's house band in Pasadena, Texas, where he backed every guest star they had (that's where they filmed "Urban Cowboy").  He's also the keyboard man on Riverrock's "Shuddup & Party!" CD.  Frank was born blind, but plays keyboards and fiddle (as well as sings) like very few sighted musicians

Just confirmed:  Riverrock's 40th Anniversary/Reunion Show!
Come celebrate with Riverrock and former members including Rick Harrelson, Jim Blanton and Steve Hall!  All members of the Kansas Music Hall of Fame!  The date is Friday, September 5th at Knuckleheads Saloon.  Check the Schedule page for details and watch for updates.

It's time to look ahead to spring and summer.  Don't forget to check out our schedule page.  We have shows at old favorites like, The Longbranch Steakhouse, Frank James Saloon, Isle of Capri, Ameristar, The Humboldt County Fair (IA), Stevens County Fair (KS) and Linden Square.  Also, Riverrock returns (after many years) to Old Shawnee Days and we will also play the North Central Kansas Free Fair.  There's also a new venue that we've added for several dates starting in April; Murray's Tables and Tap! 

It's almost time for the Kansas Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony!  Congratulations to this year's inductees; Beast, Bon Ton Soul Accordion Band, Junior Brown, Jimmy Dee & Fabulous Destinations, Glow, Clif Major, Sanctuary and the Wichita Linemen.  

Glow's drummer, Phil Smith, is the "baby" brother to Riverrock drummer, Dan Smith.  The ceremony and concert is at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday, March 1, 2014. Tickets for this year's show are on sale at Liberty Hall (no credit cards) or Ticketmaster.  Tickets are $30.  Ticketmaster has service charges.

Help Keep the Kansas Music Hall of Fame Going

In 2011, Riverrock was honored with being inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.  That same year, inductees included Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Chely Wright and the Rainmakers.  In other years, the likes of Kansas, Brewer & Shipley, Mike Finnigan, Gene Clark (of The Byrds), Melissa Etheridge, Martine McBride, Marilyn Maye, Pat Metheny, Shooting Star, Oleta Adams and Bloodstone, along with dozens of regional acts that left a legacy of great music and great memories were inducted. 

Membership to the KMHOF is only $25.00 per year and every member is eligible to vote for the nominees to be inducted for the year of membership.  More importantly, membership helps with the expenses of maintaining the website, the weekly newsletter and promoting the annual induction ceremony, held in Lawrence, Kansas in late winter.  It is hoped that one day, with enough membership support, a brick and mortar Hall will stand and house a museum of artifacts pertaining to the Hall of Fame Inductees and to preserve the legacy of talent that has graced or originated in Kansas and Eastern Missouri. 

This year, I placed the Kansas City fusion/rock band, Glow, into nomination.  Glow, was a “musician’s” band.  Besides the band’s long standing gig at The Walrus Inn in K.C.’s Waldo area, where they attracted a very loyal following, including the city’s rock elite, Glow performed with Shooting Star, Alan Holdsworth and Missouri at venues like Memorial Hall, Parody Hall and the Uptown Theatre.  Glow took first place in the KY-102 “Best of Home Tape” competition in 1983 with their song “Questions”. And, they were finalists in the Miller High Life “Rock-to-Riches” contest.  Glow was also on KKCI’s “Moonshine II” LP with their song “Touch You Once More”.  Their original music attracted the organizers of the 1984 Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and Glow performed in front of enthusiastic audiences on two of the festival’s stages that summer.  Steve Morse of the Dixie Dregs sent a note to the band upon hearing them that said; “Glow – You guys are good.  Keep playing and try to avoid the artistic pitfalls that identify the 80’s”. 

I’m asking for your help with the Kansas Music Hall of Fame, for the future of the recognition of musical talent in our region and that you also take into consideration Glow and cast a vote for them.  Please be aware that the ballots are mailed November 1st and voting ends on November 30th.  So, please don’t delay. 

For more information, go to http://www.ksmusichalloffame.org/  and check out Glow’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Glow-KC/270283503021681 and then scroll down past the year 2011 for a bundle of great music videos showing the wonderful sound this band made during their time.

- Dan Smith

Announcing:  Jerry's Westport Country Playhouse Family Reunion at Knuckleheads Saloon on Friday, Octrober 11.  Showtime is 6:30 PM.

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Featured acts will be Fred Ermontrout, Fields, Riverrock, Denver Locke, The Jolly Brothers Band and special guests, New Medicine with Janet Jameson

The passing of George Jones was a flashback for those in Riverrock.  In the summer of 1977, Riverrock was signed to the management of the Jim Halsey Company.  They had names like the Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, Freddy Fender and Hank Thompson in their stable.  It was a very exciting time. 

Riverrock was billed on Jim Halsey's Tulsa Opry for several shows, opening for names like Hank Williams, Jr., Minnie Pearl and The Oak Ridge Boys.  One show headlined "No-Show George" Jones who, of course, didn't show.  The Tulsa Opry shows were broadcast live on KVOO radio.  There was no bigger agent/promoter than Jim Halsey at that time. Nobody could believe that George Jones would dare miss a gig like this.  But, it happened. R.I.P. Possum. 

Here's Riverrock posing at their display on April 21st.  This is one of two Riverrock signs that were on the outside of Riverrock's Country Junction nightclub in Martin City in 1981. The glass case has articles about the River Quay entertainment district, where Riverrock was a house band at Huck Finn's from 1974 to 1975 and the case also has a bumper sticker from the Country Junction as well as a 45 RPM (single) of Riverrock with the song's "Come On In" and "Pine Mountain Railway" from 1977. — at Kansas City's Union Station in the "We Want To Rock!" gallery at the entrance to the "Science of Rock & Roll" exhibit.  (Photo by Michael D. Rutherford) 

 Riverrock congratulates fellow KC area musician, Tate Stevens, on winning the X-Factor last month.  Tate, of Belton, Missouri, is a former member of the Dixie Cadillacs and has shared the stage with Riverrock on several occasions.  The photo is from a New Year's Eve show in 1995 when Riverrock and the Dixie Cadillacs were billed together.  In the photo is Kenny "Tuna" Crouch, Tate Stevens and Riverrock's Dan Smith on the Washboard. 

Come see the latest exhibit at the Union Station. Riverrock is featured at the entrance to the exhibit as part of the Kansas City section, "We Want to Rock", which also includes the original mirror ball from the Cowtown Ballroom. This is the world premier of The Science of Rock & Roll. It will blow your mind! 

Members of Riverrock were treated to a special night at Knuckleheads Saloon in KC on July 18 when Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's John McEuen and his sons Jonathan and Nathan, promoting their new CD "The McEuen Sessions", tapped talent and gear from Riverrock. Jonathan used Paul Mumma's Telecaster guitar and Allen Blasco's Music Man amp and Dan Smith sat in on his washboard. (photo by Peggy Stevinson Bair) 

Bureman & O'Rourke's new CD, "Shoulder to Shoulder" is out.  Guest musician's include Mike Brewer and Tom Shipley ("One Toke Over the Line" fame) as well as Riverrock's John Mumma, Paul Mumma and Allen Blasco.  The project was recorded primarily at Dan Smith Agency Recording Studio and also at Down Home Studio and the homes of Mike Brewer and Tom Shipley. 

Riverrock mourns the loss of bluegrass patriarch, Earl Scruggs, who died March 28 in Nashville, Tennessee.  Following is a post by Riverrock member, Dan Smith, on the Earl Scruggs memorial website:

I only met Earl once at a show in Kansas City with the Earl Scruggs Review. His influence on my band, Riverrock, is immeasurable. His legacy is not only his masterful body of work and the launching of thousands banjo playing careers, he also passed on his musical talents to his sons.

Riverrock was graced by his son Randy's many talents in the recording studio many years ago and that memory is still sweet in our minds. 

~ Daniel Smith, Raytown, Missouri