Border Legends of El Paso

Welcome to the 4th. annual Border Legends of El Paso Rock n' Roll Concert!

Every year this unique extravaganza gets bigger and better. So for 2012, we’re moving to a larger venue to accommodate the ever-growing number of music fans who come to party and listen to the music!

Rick Kern

Hi, I'm Rick Kern. Rod Crosby and I produce these concerts. This year we'll feature entertainment by a host of great Rock n Roll acts, old and new. Our Master of Ceremonies will be none other than Billboard Magazine's "Radio Personality of the Year", Sonny Melendrez.

Rod Crosby

Join us for a fun and memorable evening! Enjoy $10 BBQ dinner plates plus beer, wine, soft drinks and setups. Doors open at 3pm, and the music starts at 4pm. Come early to mingle with friends and musicians. Great food, drink and music. It's going to be a blast - and a real entertainment value!

Contact Rick for questions or comments at borderlegendsconcert@gmail.com

Listen to the Music!

Concert Information

Date:	Saturday, October 13, 2012
Place:	El Maida Shrine Auditorium
	6331 Alabama Street El Paso, Texas 79904
Time:	3pm - 11pm Free Parking

Admission: $15 at the door

For information, click on the name. Your Hosts:
Rick Kern	Sonny Melendrez	Rod Crosby

The Performers:
The Chains Mario Otero The Henchmen	Rod Crosby & The Intruders Frank Sotelo & Border Heat Bobby Rosales & The Premiers	The Iveys Truth Glenn Leffler

In 1966 I was a student at NMSU. While practicing electric bass one night in my dorm room, there was a knock at the door. There stood a broad-shouldered stranger named Ron Hilburn. Turned out he was a first-string Fullback on football scholarship who also played guitar. I wanted to start a hard rock band so when Ron began to wail on his '59 Telecaster, I knew he'd make an awesome lead guitarist. Brian Kelly was The University of Arizona Baseball Team's hot Center Fielder, but transferred to NMSU just to join us as our keyboard man. The sounds he coaxed from his organ's Leslie rotary speaker formed a cornerstone of our sound.

Most difficult was finding a power drummer. We tried out several but none fit. Then, Ted Wood ambled in for an audition, toting oversized drumsticks that looked like clubs. Without a word, he sat down at the drum set and attacked the skins. "Whack, crack, BOOM!" Sounded like a bomb exploded. This was the right guy. Finally, a college buddy named Pete Hutchinson bought an old pickup truck to haul our equipment, and signed on as road manager & equipment technician. The Chains were now complete.

To purchase a Chains CD, click here

Truth

Truth came together in Autumn of 1968, composed of five Parkland High School students who lived on the same block in El Paso - Sherry Karnes on vocals and keyboards, Rick Armstrong on drums, Jim Leeah on guitar & vocals, Gary Leeah on bass & vocals and Ron Logan on keyboards, guitar & vocals. They quickly gained popularity playing gigs at local high schools, colleges, military bases and night clubs. They did some big concerts too, opening for nationally known bands such as Vanilla Fudge, The Rascals, Nazz, Spiral Staircase, John Denver and Albert King. Recently, Truth performed once again at the Sun Carnival Coronation, their first gig together since 1971.

Looking back, singer Sherry Karnes has but one regret. "Our parents wouldn't let us quit high school for a Concerts West tour as opening act for Three Dog Night, who had just released their first album. I still want to kick my parents in the can for that one!"

Frank Sotelo and Border Heat

Frank Sotelo, well-known El Paso singer, songwriter and guitar player, will make his third appearance at this year's Border Legends of El Paso Rock n' Roll Concert extravaganza. He’s been entertaining audiences for over 40 years. Highlights have included recording the "Swift Rain Comin' Down" album and playing concerts with his band, Frantic Four, with Buffalo Springfield, Canned Heat, The Animals, Johnny Rivers and Black Oak Arkansas. In his band, Swift Rain, he played with Nazz.

Leon Ackerman will join Frank on bass guitar and vocals. Some of Leon's earlier bands include The System, Cotton Mouth, Desert Rock, The Chantz Brothers and Lost Dogs.

George Peel will round out the trio by playing drums. George has recently played in the popular bands, Bad Habits and Duck Domino. These three musicians continue the El Paso tradition of solid, hard hitting Rhythm & Blues combined with Classic Rock hits.

Sonny Melendrez

Sonny Melendrez was Born to Serve!

Making people happy has always been an important element in the life of this dynamic radio and television personality. Sonny travels across the country and around the globe to entertain both on and off the air, but chooses to live in San Antonio, where he grew up. Twice named Billboard Magazine’s "Radio Personality of the Year", his enthusiasm for life is evident as host of various radio and television programs. He has the honor of being in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as one of the Top 100 Radio Personalities Of All Time.

Blessed with multiple talents, Sonny is equally at home serving as TV host, actor, radio personality, writer, commercial spokesman, comedian, motivational speaker, or cartoon voice artist. His inventiveness and energetic style make him a sought-after performer and we're honored to have him hosting our 4th annual Border Legends of El Paso Rock Concert.

www.sonnyradio.com

Sonny & Cher with The Henchmen

The Henchmen

The Henchmen formed in 1965 as a Top-40 cover band. Founding members were Paul Dillon on lead guitar & vocals, and David Dyer on drums. They later added Mike Ekdall on rhythm guitar, keyboard & vocals and Mike Ballard on bass. The group quickly gained local popularity, playing every weekend for nearly three years.

The Henchmen's strength was their soaring vocal harmonies by Ekdall and Dillon, which enabled them to duplicate the sounds of The Byrds, The Everly Brothers and many British Invasion bands of the era. Mike Ballard’s affinity for more "underground" music expanded the group's repertoire to include music by Cream, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix.

Career highlights included performing at the world premier of the Sonny & Cher movie, Good Times, and as opening act for big venue concert acts including Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Gary Puckett and The Union Gap and Mitch Rider and the Detroit Wheels. The Henchmen played together until the Summer of 1968, when Dyer left El Paso to continue his education. To this day, The Henchmen are considered by many to be one of El Paso's greatest rock bands.

Glenn Leffler

Glenn Leffler is the rebel guitarist of the El Paso music scene. He continues to grow in his craft, attending The Chet Atkins Appreciation Society meeting in Nashville every year and he has befriended some of the greatest guitar players on the planet. "Playing on the edge of your ability pushes you forward" is the motto he lives by, saying: "I would rather fail miserably playing something challenging than succeed playing mediocre music."

Glenn received his first boost in blues guitar riffs from Mike Bloomfield: "Michael taught me how to bend a string and make the note sing." Glenn never fit into the popular rock bands of El Paso, but played with a number of rock and blues greats including Long John Hunter, Orange Tuna Band, Terminal Blues and Southwest. Over the years he jammed with Eric Johnson, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Albert King. In 1978, he formed the progressive jazz band Magic, along with Henry Santaella, Robert Vance and Andre Casillas.

Glenn has released one CD of solo acoustic guitar music and is recording another. He also performs regularly with The Automatics of Las Cruces. Says Glenn, "It’s not about me. I’m just a guitar player. The music is the magic the audience feels and takes home with them… I am just a very blessed and privileged person who gets to present the gift".

www.glennleffler.com

The Iveys

The Iveys are a Texas-based rock band with a sound all their own, and they’re carving a national name for themselves. They’ve already performed over 200 shows around the country, and whether acoustic or with the full band, this group has big goals. They're young, hungry and immensely talented, and are gaining the songwriting prowess and performing chops needed to reach new and exciting heights. The Iveys' music has been shaped by multiple influences. "Every song you listen to impacts you," says Jessica, one of the three siblings that make up the group. "You might not even realize it, but it affects you," Jillian agrees. "Of course we’re still inspired by the music we grew up listening to, but recently we’ve been listening to more Indie artists. We love the images and stories these artists create through their music."

Writing music based on their life experiences has come naturally to them, and band leader Arlen Ivey says their new music is a bit different than previous work, an evolution in progress. "Every day we grow a little more as songwriters and musicians, and just overall life experience," says Jillian. "We want our new songs to showcase where we are now as people and as artists, and we want to get our music out to as many people as possible".

www.theiveysmusic.com

Rick Kern

In the 1960’s and 70’s, Rick Kern emerged as a respected El Paso drummer and played with several local bands including the popular Westhampton Barge. His singing was also notable and he worked tirelessly with bandmates to create rich vocal harmonies. Upon completing college in 1972 he went on the road, touring with three different vocal show groups; Sounds Royale and two named Tapestry. The last group's brush with stardom came in 1977 when they were signed to appear on a Captain &Tennille TV special with Neil Diamond.

Rick and his wife Sharon returned to their hometown of El Paso in 1978 to start a family. He entered the communications business and today owns Windsor Marketing LLC (www.windsormarketing.net), a full service radio communications company. He also runs Windsor Productions, a film production enterprise.

About 6 years ago, Rick started networking on the Internet with El Paso musicians. Sharon suggested that he produce a concert featuring them. The result was the birth of the Border Legends of El Paso concert series. Rick now co-produces these shows with Rod Crosby. While Rick focuses on show development, talent and promotions, Rod handles the backline, lighting and sound. In January 2012, Rick also became Production & Promotions Director of the El Paso Scottish Rite Theater. Bringing great musical acts to El Paso has become his passion.

www.elpasomusicians.blogspot.com

Rod Crosby

If there's one El Paso rock musician who deserves to be called an icon, unquestionably its Rod Crosby. He has performed more good music for more people and for a longer time, than any other local musician. For over 50 years Rod has appeared on El Paso stages in every imaginable venue, from smoky rock n roll bars to the big stage with nationally known acts. He's respected by his peers for his wide vocal range, tasteful guitar playing and laid-back management style.

As a boy in California, Rod started out playing Gospel Music on the Hawaiian lap steel guitar, but soon switched to electric guitar. Gifted with a great voice, by 1960 he was performing in El Paso as lead singer and lead guitarist for The Intruders, which eventually became Rod Crosby & The Intruders. Over the years he has performed with all of the area's top musicians, playing various styles from Rock to Country. On stage, he has always demanded high quality sound, and this has led to his current venture.

Crosby Sound Production (www.rodcrosbysound.com) provides concert sound, lighting and video systems, backline equipment rentals and related audio services. Rod runs the company with his wife, Patricia. For young, up-&-coming musicians, he offers priceless technical expertise based on years of first-hand performing experience. Rod also co-produces the Border Legends Concert Series with Rick Kern. Rod handles the backline, lighting and sound, while Rick focuses on show development, talent and promotion. Fortunately for us Rod still occasionally performs on stage, as he will at this year's Border Legends Concert in October.

Mario Otero

New Mexico born and Texas bred, Mario Otero is distinguished as one of the elite steel string acoustic guitarists of our time. His group, La Vienta, earned a Grammy nomination in 1994 for their recording "Jazzmenco", which reached #17 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Charts. Based on the talents of Otero and German born, Texas-bred Stefan Schyga, the group has performed from New York to San Francisco, always to sold-out concerts and standing ovations. These guys are hot!

Jazz Times Magazine said, "The stated mission of La Vienta is to capture the feel of the desert Southwest. Through the guitar-based compositions of Mario Otero and Stefan Schyga, that wide-open romantic flavor is achieved with finesse. Many of La Vienta's tunes are as light and ethereal as the wind, which translates into the band's Spanish Moniker".

As a soloist, Mario Otero performed at the 3rd annual World On A String Guitar Festival with the famous Brazilian guitarists Sergio and Odair Assad, Scottish born classical guitarist David Russell and Mexico’s finest classical guitarist, Rafael Jimenez. We are indeed fortunate to have a musician of Mario's caliber performing at this year's Border Legends Concert.

www.mariootero.com

Bobby Rosales & The Premiers

Bobby Rosales is a legend among El Paso musicians, and little wonder. Music is in his blood. His mother was a professional Flamenco guitarist; his brothers also played. Bobby started on the piano at the age of 12 and was soon performing on stage. He joined a popular band, The Premiers, eventually taking over as leader and re-naming it Bobby & The Premiers. This was a strong 9 piece band with a big horn sound and they won numerous battle-of-the-bands competitions.

Bobby & The Premiers recorded several successful records and made numerous radio and TV appearances. In California they played at the Hollywood Bowl, the Hollywood Palladium, and shared stages with such greats as James Brown, The Shirelles, Stevie Wonder, and The Coasters. Today, Bobby is President of B & R Glass Company in El Paso, but he still plays music with vigor and enthusiasm after 58 years on stage. We look forward to hearing Bobby & The Premiers at this year’s Border Legends Concert.