Entertainment

Lou Gramm, born in Rochester, New York, was a founding member of Foreigner. He began his musical career as a drummer in the late 1960s then while drumming for a band called Poor Heart, he transitioned from drums to vocals. In the late 1970s after meeting future bandmate Mick Jones at a Spooky Tooth show in Rochester, Lou was recruited to join a new band, which ultimately came to be known as Foreigner.

Gramm was the lead vocalist on all of Foreigner’s hit songs, including “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice,” “Long, Long Way from Home,” “Hot Blooded,” “Double Vision,” “Blue Morning, Blue Day,” “Head Games,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Urgent,” “Juke Box Hero,” “Break It Up” and “Say You Will.” He co-wrote most of the songs for the band, which achieved two of its biggest hits with the ballads “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” which spent ten weeks at #2 on the 1981-82 American Hot 100, and “I Want to Know What Love Is,” which was a #1 hit internationally (US & UK) in 1985. Their first 8 singles cracked the Billboard Top 20 (4 went Top 10), making them the first group since the Beatles to achieve this in 1980.

By 1987, Gramm released his first solo album, Ready or Not, which received critical acclaim and contained a top-five hit single with “Midnight Blue.” He recorded one more album with Foreigner, 1987’s Inside Information , but having tasted solo success and the satisfaction of song control, he knew he needed to move on.

Through the years, Gramm continued to perform with Foreigner on-and-off, as well as pursue his solo projects. He left Foreigner again in 2003, and has been touring the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. As of 2013, Lou Gramm continues to tour with his band, performing many of his old Foreigner hits.

THERE’S ONLY ONE ALL-FEMALE HARD ROCK BAND FROM THE 80’S WHO: Sold over a million albums, had six #1 videos on MTV, and four songs in Billboard’s Top 100. Vixen was founded in St. Paul, Minnesota, by high-schooler guitarist Jan Kuehnemund. The desire to achieve the rock star dreams like so many before her, Jan took her group to Hollywood but soon retooled the line-up, which included; vocalist Janet Gardner, drummer Roxy Petrucci and bassist Share Ross (Pedersen). In 1987, a pair of big brass balls at EMI Records decided to roll the dice with Vixen, despite all the stereotypes regarding bands fronted by chicks, was then initiated into the male-dominated club of hard rock. EMI released their self-named debut album Vixen featuring the groups’ first hit “Edge of a Broken Heart” penned by Richard Marx and Fee Waybill (The Tubes). MTV became Vixen’s playground and so coupled with exhaustive touring Vixen embarked on their ride. Piling on more hits the band charted Billboard at #22 with ballad, “Cryin’,” and “Love Made Me” at #36. The road continued to call opening for Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, Eddie Money and many others. Vixen has firmly distinguished themselves as a premiere rock act to be taken seriously. With the pistons still popping, Vixen released their second album; Rev It Up was a success with “How Much Love” as the prized single performed live on The Arsenio Hall Show. The group Vixen-ize their fans on worldwide tours with heavyweights KISS and Scorpions, which fueled the international frenzy. The ballad, “Love Is A Killer” rose on the charts along with the rocker “Not A Minute Too Soon” once again establishing Vixen as not just performers but hit songwriters.

IT’S LIKE 20 CONCERTS IN ONE NIGHT!

A band puts on a concert – Hairball puts on an event! Hairball is a Rock & Roll experience you won’t soon forget. The lights, sound, smoke, fire, bombs, and screaming hoards of avid fans…to merely call it a concert would be like calling Mount Rushmore a roadside attraction!

Vocalists Kris Vox, Dave Moody, and Drew Hart lead the band through a 2+ hour, mind-blowing, and dropdead accurate homage to some of the biggest arena acts in the world. Van Halen, KISS, Motley Crue, Queen, Journey, and Aerosmith are but a few of the acts fans will see brought to life. The Hairball stage becomes an entirely new rock concert before your very eyes countless times throughout the night.

The motor that drives the Hairball dragster consists of HBK on the electric bass, Billy on the drums, and Happy on the lead guitar. These Rock & Roll soldiers pride themselves on nailing some of the most memorable licks and chops of all time, while adding their own style and flare that they’ve cultivated over decades of tireless performing. This isn’t a side job. These guys eat, sleep and breathe Rock & Roll!

2023 finds Hairball celebrating its 23rd year of rocking hundreds of thousands of people across the country. Constantly adding more characters, more pyrotechnics, more lights, more sound, more props, more surprises…more everything! While Happy often tells the audience “Today is the first day is the rest of your life!” Hairball performs every show as though it could be their last. Every night is a 100% full-on, no-holds-barred, exciting, chaotic, fiery party that has to be experienced to be believed!

As important to Hairball as the music, are its fans. While many bands claim to have the best fans in the world, Hairball actually has! Whether they are 10 years old or 100, Hairball fans bring an unparalleled enthusiasm and energy to the show that enhances the arena experience. Hairball knows it wouldn’t exist without its fans and takes every opportunity to let them know that.

Whether it’s a pre-show meet and greet, hanging out at the merch booth, or chatting online, Hairball has a lot in common with its fans and it’s always a good time when they get together. Don’t confuse Hairball with the countless “80’s Tribute” bands across the country. Hairball is an experience, an attitude, and expression of music that isn’t simply a retro flashback, it’s a way of life!

*Black Smoke Sinners* return to High Seas Rally after a triumphant debut in 2022, ready once again to embrace the Classic Rock ethos and deliver it with the musical muscle to match! Forged through lifelong friendships, a shared brotherhood, and a deep love of motorcycles and music, this Texas-born band truly embodies a life spent in pursuit of the freedom to live life ‘in-the-wind’…and on the road. Delivering an unmatched high-energy show, as well as songs torn from the very fabric of Rock History, High Seas Rally host (and bike builder) drummer Xavier Muriel joins forces with dynamic frontman Robert Wagner, and guitarists Hunter St. Marie and Nick James to bring a sonic stew of sublime twin-guitars, thundering rhythm, and transcendent, soaring vocals. Flatly stated: Black Smoke Sinners bring a true rally rock-party experience! Along with HSR, Black Smoke Sinners have rocked the Main Stages @ Bike Week in Daytona Beach, The Lone Star Rally in Galveston,TX and The Republic of Texas Rally in Austin, TX.

Formed in the early millennium by founding members Rod, Johnny and Whit, Steel Rod is a Los Angeles-based classic rock and R&B band. They teamed up with the Mondragon brothers, Billy and Eric of DW3 in 2010, to create an explosive powerhouse band. As Steel Rod recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, the band continues to play the Los Angeles club scene while also performing on cruises. Covering a wide variety of music from classic rock to Motown, this group is without a doubt the ultimate party band!

In a rare meeting backstage at Cincinnati’s Music Hall, music legend Prince asked Southbound 75 singer-songwriter, Mark Lorenzo, “Do you believe the cream will rise to the top?…” After responding that he did, Prince continued, “…Then you have nothing to worry about.” It’s pretty rare when more people dance to the originals than the cover songs… But that is pretty typical at a Southbound 75 show. The band has traveled throughout the country including the heart of country music – Nashville, Tennessee, playing the The Ryman Concert Series, Wildhorse Saloon, NBC’s” Today in Nashville” and the famous “Whiskey Jam.” The Southbound guys have been on quite a roll by playing a ton of high-profile shows including; WQYK’S Guitar Pull, The New Country 103.1 Rib Round-Up, The Field Of Dreams Country Festival and have just been booked to play the High Seas Rally Cruise. They have shared show billings with artists such as Bailey Zimmerman, Lainey Wilson, Jordan Davis, Jimmy Allen, Chase Matthews and a ton more. Southbound 75 is receiving airplay in the U.S. with their latest single, “That Summer” on the syndicated show, “New Country Brew’” and overseas on the X Sussex Country Show and multiple other stations. The song is in the top 20 on the UK Charts. Currently, they are in the studio with producer, Jimmy Ritchie (Jake Owen, Pam Tillis), working on their next release. Their latest full-length release,“Tales From The Black Swamp,” (The Orchard) was described as, “One of the year’s standout albums.” By Country Music International. Three videos from the album premiered on The Country Network and, “Spilled Champagne” and “Missing Carolina” were both added to CMT.com. The record’s first single “Spilled Champagne” was featured on CMT’s “The Roundup” playlist on Spotify that includes the week’s biggest releases like Old Dominion, Carrie Underwood & Hardy. It has already received airplay on 50 US Music Row/Indicator/Non- Reporter Stations. The band is endorsed by Taylor Guitars, Gone Country Hats, Red Monkey Accessories & InTune Guitar Picks. The band is currently planning a U.S. Tour in 2024 with Reviver Records artist, Bowman.

Gary Michaels, is the ONLY Biker Comedy Hypnotist in the World and his stage show will NO DOUBT leave you in stitches and have you talking about his performance for years to come. Gary is not only an accomplished Comedy Hypnotist he is also one of the most recognized voices in the nation as well as an accomplished Magician, Comedian, Voice Over Artist, Narrator, Radio/TV personality, Actor, Master of Ceremonies, Writer, Producer and also sings in a Rock/Southern Rock/Country band. Gary hails from Lexington, KY and has be the recipient of innumerable accolades, ranging from the Distinguished Service Award for his selfless efforts in raising more than $250,000.00 to help save the life of a terminally ill child in less than a week, to being named the #1 Radio Personality in four states. Gary is sought after by many for his voice as evidenced by his presentations on four different national networks including Ted Nugent’s “Spirit of the Wild Show” for the Outdoor Network.

Brian Wilk began playing piano as early as he could reach the keyboard. When he couldn’t sleep, his parents played “Midnight Rider” in his dark nursery. When he was old enough to drive, he hit the open road like a “Bat Out of Hell.” Pursuing a life in music, he began performing with the ComedySportz improv troupe. But he was “Born to Be Wild” and “Hell Bent for Leather,” so he revved up his music career and kept “Heading Out to the Highway” to share his love of music with new audiences in new places all around the country. There is almost no song Brian doesn’t know (or can make up the words to). On the High Seas Rally, he will continue his quest to bring ‘Freewheel Burning’ rock to dueling pianos. When Brad Heron was a baby, legend has it that his parents kept him swaddled in biker leather onesies and pushed him around in a custom chrome stroller. It wasn’t long before he started reaching for a Casio keyboard, and he could play Foghat’s “Slow Ride” and Molly Hatchet’s “Flirtin’ with Disaster” before he could even drive. As Brad grew to manhood, the freewheelin’ lifestyle stayed with him. He hit the open road and took any job he could find, learning a lot but ultimately being let go because of his insistence on wearing leather vests and randomly shouting, “I feel the need for speed!” But it was all for the best, because eventually his gift for music led him to working as an entertainer for cruise lines, where he was free to play every song possible.

Kevin Hamel picked up his first guitar at 15 and has spent his musical career transforming his passion for music into a lifelong drive to becoming a truly diverse entertainer, playing in rock cover bands in New England in his college days to high-energy acoustic shows at clubs and bars from Maine to Key West, including: Sloppy Joe’s; Irish Kevin’s; Willie T’s and Sugarloaf Mountain, to name a few. Focusing on the audience, his wide repertoire of genres and ability to play most of his show through requests, helps to make the connection with the crowd and make them part of the show. Add in some infectious sing-alongs and the music you once sang into a hair brush in front of the mirror (and maybe still do), and you’ve got an experience that will make you put your phone away and sing like a rockstar! Kevin was a paratrooper in the US Army. He currently lives in Bangor, Maine, with his 2 children, Riley and Kayla.

Travis’ love of music started very early in life with a piano in his living room and the ability to pick out countless songs on the keys, without having received a formal lesson. At 19, he worked at Blockbuster Music where he was able to listen to every CD in the building with the goal of learning every track. Soon thereafter, he started his DJ career. Over his 26 year career, Travis has played some of the biggest weddings, private events, and New Year’s Eve parties, creating some truly unforgettable experiences! In addition, he’s taught school children about music history.