The Dave Rawlinson Band

Kittitas County’s Dave Rawlinson Band “Rocks on” to regional competition in Los Angeles in FORTUNE Magazine’s Battle of the Corporate Bands

by Lyn Derrick

The dream never dies. But, sometimes it gets buried under the accumulated layers of life. That’s been the standard life experience for individuals in most generations.
Then along came “The Boomers.” They’re redefining this typical life experience – just like they’ve redefined everything else.
The latest experience being redefined by the ‘booming’ generation is the whole concept and experience of middle age. They’ve turned it into “the age of discovery.” It’s no longer a time to think about quitting, instead it’s a time to think about really getting going. And getting going in a way that was, perhaps, only a dream when they were younger.
This means that all over the country there are 40 and 50 year olds who are redefining their lives and realizing their dream to be a writer, a farmer, an herbalist, a helicopter pilot and even a rock star.
That’s certainly true for the five members of Kittitas County’s Dave Rawlinson Band. While they might not be totally comfortable with the label of rock star, they are completely committed, die-hard rockers who have, both individually and as a group, remained true to the music of their generation.
“It’s Boomer Rock,” said the Band’s drummer, Bob Lupton. “In the beginning, we thought we’d just play a few dances once in awhile, and mostly cover songs.”

Boomer Rock
That was two years ago, when the Dave Rawlinson Band began. Now, they’ve moved beyond cover songs to writing and playing their own original music.
“The first song Dave wrote was Pearl Street Woman,” said Lupton. That’s Pearl Street, as in Pearl Street in Ellensburg.
“I’m such a perfectionist,” joked lead singer, songwriter and rhythm guitar player, Dave Rawlinson. “Actually, these guys can outdo me in that department. When we were doing just the cover songs, we’d have a lot of arguments because we were trying to get it exactly right. Then, I thought, hey, let’s do our own original songs and then we can play them any way we want to.”
So that became the new direction for this Boomer Rock band. Rawlinson said, “For Boomers, and even Generation Xers, this is about the songs they grew up with. But with our original songs, it isn’t about ‘the oldies & the moldies.’
“It sounds like the old songs, because they’ve got that classic rock sound, but they’re completely new. That’s what Boomer Rock is all about, creating new music that’s written in the Boomer genre.”
According to Rawlinson, the rockers who wrote and performed those “cover songs,” – back-in-the-day – took the path of least resistance. “They went the ‘sex, drugs and rock & roll’ route,” he said.
“And made a fortune,” laughed David McMahan, the Band’s percussionist and anvil player.
“Right,” Rawlinson said, “and we took the path of greatest resistance with work and family – but we kept playing all along.”

The corporation
For the majority of the five band members, work at this juncture in their lives means Central Washington University. Rawlinson is a professor of computer information systems. Lupton is a professor in marketing and retail, and Bob Pieters work for the University’s facilities department. The band is rounded out with McMahan, who works in wireless Internet for Cascade1, and Caspar van Haalen who teaches at Ellensburg High School.
That makes CWU the “corporation” behind the Dave Rawlinson Band in the Seventh Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands.
According to event organizers the ‘Battle,’ “provides amateur company-sponsored bands, the opportunity to rock their passion” by playing music. The event is a partnership between the International Music Products Association (NAMM), FORTUNE Magazine and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. It “celebrates the positive effect of music on employee morale and productivity.” Along the way, it raises money for the Hall of Fame’s education programs.

Joining the battle
“Dave just happened to see something about this in FORTUNE Magazine,” McMahan explained. “He said, hey why don’t we give this a try?"
Rawlinson sent off the band’s CD called “Workin’ Man,” and a few weeks later the Band was notified that they were selected for the regional qualifying playoff at the Key Club in Los Angeles on July 7.
On that day, the Dave Rawlinson Band will battle it out musically with five other corporate bands. If they’re one of the two bands selected, it’s on to the national rock and roll battle in Cleveland on Oct. 5 & 6, – and the opportunity to take home the title of best corporate band in America.

If they win the FORTUNE Magazine Corporate Battle of the Bands
If (or when) they win in Cleveland, the Dave Rawlinson band will receive gear from event sponsors, and a special “rock star” trip to the 2008 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA on Jan. 17-20.
“It will be a challenge,” said Lupton. “We’ll be up against bands who have been there before and this is our first time.”
Challenge is just another word for opportunity, and the Dave Rawlinson Band has many factors in their favor. “We’re all professionals with years of music experience,” said Lupton. “We’ve all been playing for many years. Bob Pieters [guitar] grew up here in the Valley and played in some well-known bands from here. Casper van Haalen [bass player] is from Holland where he played in a band there.”
“My background is in acting,” McMahan laughed. “So, I just act like a musician.”

They are ready
Laughing and having fun is all part of the experience for these band members. “We have so much fun,” said Lupton. “We often say, we wish we’d known each other and were doing this when we were 18. But the truth is we wouldn’t have been ready then.”
When talking with band members, you get the impression that they are ready now, and they are confident about their chances of wining the regional competition and going on to the nationals in Cleveland. “I’ve already got my ticket booked,” said McMahan.
They have good reason to be confident. Many factors should help the band stand out from the pack. “It isn’t just ‘cause we’re good,” Rawlinson joked. The band is the only one in the competition from a university. “I know they were interested in us because of that,” said Lupton.
Additionally, the Dave Rawlinson Band is the only band from the Northwest. But, in particular, it’s that original music angle. “Most of the bands will be playing cover songs, probably about 90 percent,” said Rawlinson.
Band members all believe it was the original songs, which got them selected in the first place. So they’re going to lead with their strength.
“We have five minutes to plug in and get started,” said McMahan. They plan to open their performance with four original songs: Boomer Rock (an anthem for the band as well as a whole generation), Love You Baby, Workin’ Man and Movin’ On.
Dream wise, ‘movin’ on’ is just what the Dave Rawlinson Band is doing. They’ll be moving on musically from Ellensburg to Los Angeles in July, and from there to Cleveland in October. Rocking and living the dream every step of the way.
For more information on the band visit www.rawlinsonband.com or www.myspace.com/daverawlinsonband. Band members will post information and photos recording their experiences as they enter into this battle of the bands.
- Northern Kittitas County Tribune

ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The Dave Rawlinson Band, made up of five local men who have a connection to Central Washington University, has been selected to compete in the 2007 FORTUNE Corporate Battle of the Bands in Los Angeles on July 7. All employees or alumni of Central, band members say they "work hard during the day so they can rock 'n' roll at night."

"We are the only band from the Pacific Northwest in the entire competition," says Dave Rawlinson, an associate professor of information technology at Central and lead singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist for the Dave Rawlinson Band. "It's very exciting to have that kind of notoriety and attention. It's also nice to get an opportunity to showcase our original music at a national venue."

Recently featured in a story on Northwest Cable News, the band is made up of a group of baby boomers from Ellensburg, Wash., all in their 40s and 50s, who have been playing together for about two years. As with Rawlinson, each band member has a direct connection to CWU. Lead guitarist Bob Pieters has worked in maintenance and facilities at CWU for 20 years. Drummer Robert Lupton is a retail management technology professor at Central. Caspar van Haalen plays bass and is a Central post-baccalaureate student and teaches high school in Ellensburg. Backup vocalist and percussionist David McMahan is a Central alumni and works as an information technology specialist.

The Dave Rawlinson Band is one of eighteen corporate bands across the nation selected to compete in one of three regional finals. The top two bands from each region, plus two "wild cards" will experience the ultimate thrill of rock and roll stardom by competing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio in October.

Forty plus corporate bands-whose members are comprised of everyone from CEOs to administrative assistants-entered the contest by submitting a three-song CD. Eighteen bands made the regional cut and earned the chance to vie for the coveted title of "Best Corporate Band in America."

So how do they work full-time jobs, spend time with family and still find time to perform live music? "Like most musicians our age, you started out playing music when you were young and just kept on playing," explains Rawlinson. He says unlike the professional rockers of their era though, members of the Dave Rawlinson Band took the road of getting day jobs and raising families. "We have never forgotten how much we love to play music. We play because it makes people feel good. That's why we do it."

The Dave Rawlinson Band hits the stage at the Key Club on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles on July 7. They just recently played a free performance for the local community at West Ellensburg Park Wednesday, July 4 at the 4th of July Community Celebration. For more information about the band and the competition, visit www.rockhall.com/fortunebattle or www.rawlinsonband.com.

Contact: Dave Rawlinson, Dave Rawlinson Band, 509-962-1243
Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, 509-963-1416 or olint@cwu.edu

- Central Washington University Public Relations Office

By day, some teach the students of Central Washington University. By night, they are members of a rock and roll band.

They’re not the scores of co-eds who rock out in garages and dream of leaving college to become rock stars; they’re the five members of The Dave Rawlinson Band, all with close ties to Central.

David Rawlinson, information technology management assistant professor; Bob Pieters, maintenance and facilities employee at Central; Robert Lupton, retail management technology professor; Caspar Van Haalen, post-baccalaureate student, and David McMahan, Central alumnus, have found success in their "after school job."

Their passion for music has landed them in a Corporate Battle of the Bands sponsored by Fortune magazine. The group will represent Central at the performance.

The David Rawlinson Band, which has been together for more than two years, plays all original music that they call "boomer rock:" rock and roll for the baby boomer generation.

Music has always played an important part in their lives; collectively, they’ve been in close to 100 bands.

In his younger days, Lupton actually dropped out of college to tour the country with a rock band before realizing that music is great, but not as a day job.

"I’ve never had a bad time playing music," Pieters said. "It keeps you going at work; it keeps you young."

In July, the band will pack up and fly down to Los Angeles to participate in one of four regional qualifying competitions. If they win, they will go on to participate in the finals at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October.

The contest, which is a fundraiser for music education, has more than 40 entries that represent corporate America from CEOs to administrative managers. The Dave Rawlinson Band is the only entry from a university.

The band qualified for the contest by sending in a three-song CD.

"We are blessed to represent Central," Lupton said.

The band can be heard at festivals, private parties and weddings in the Ellensburg area. The men work hard to find a balance between work, family and music.

"We have our priorities, but at night, we play rock and roll," Rawlinson said.

The group members are all strong believers in the positive effects of music. They feel that whether someone has a regular nine-to-five job or someone is still a student, music can be motivational, encouraging and a great stress reliever.

Lupton explained that playing music is a lot like teaching, in that they both require two things: passion and purpose.

"Music brings people together," Lupton said.

To learn more about the band and to watch their journey through the contest, visit their Web site at www.rawlinsonband.com.
- CWU Observer - Paige Baglien

Tom Williams, Business/Operations Manager and DJ for KQBE FM says that "This is some of the best music we have had in years. The Workin’ Man Album is outstanding...Workin’ Man is a great song. ...a fine tribute to all working people." - KQBE FM 103.1

Dale Hubbard, DJ on the blues program "Crossroads" says, "Man, this is great stuff. The Workin’ Man album is powerful yet intriguing..." - KCWU 88.1 The 'Burg

ELLENSBURG - Cheering fans of all ages, in a standing room only crowd, greeted the Dave Rawlinson Band and the release of their second album, Movin’ On, at Lilly’s Cantina in Old Town Ellensburg, Saturday, Mar. 29.
The lights dimmed and the cheering audience got quiet – as Dave Rawlinson started the first song of the evening. Strumming his acoustical guitar, accompanied by CWU adjunct professor Heather Netz, Rawlinson sang about the power of love in Just Say When (Reprise), both the first and the last song on the new album.
The elegant love song, written by Rawlinson and dedicated to his wife Constance, “is my feeble attempt to express the loving relationship I’ve enjoyed for over a quarter of a century with my one true love.”
According to Rawlinson, the last verse of the song is based on the moment when he decided Constance was ‘the one.’ – So baby reach out and touch my hand, feel my churning heart carry us on the wind. Close your eyes and we’ll walk the sand, and then I’ll take you places you’ve never been. I’m going to love you baby, just say when.
After enthusiastic applause, the entire 10-piece band lit the audiences’ musical fire by playing the rock version of “Just Say When.” The horn section, led by alto sax player Lenny Price, added a powerful, Chicago-esque addition to Rawlinson’s lyrics. And, Bob Pieters’ …lead guitar… [Alexandra Rawlinson’s backing vocals] and Heather Netz’s violin provided extra musical punch for this rock and roll ballad.
Along with the combination of Bob Lupton’s pounding drums, Caspar van Haalen’s complex bass lines, Pieters compelling lead guitar and Rawlinson’s fabulous lead vocals – the stage was set for an evening of ‘boomer rock’ – a term capturing the musical tastes of over 78 million baby boomers.
Blaise Patterson of Seattle, who has followed the group for several years, said, “The performance was emotional and heartfelt. With the addition of live horns/sax/violin, it was bigger and bolder than ever. I could really get lost in the music like never before. The potential is obvious, when the album sounds just as amazing [sic] as it does recorded.”
During the two 50-minute shows Rawlinson shared personal stories about the making of the Movin’ On album and introduced the audience to the other musicians on stage.
Trumpeter Adam Robb, saxophonist Kevin Lane, and trombonist Ben Watters, all CWU music students, played on a number of songs, including Just Say When.
Special guest and national recording artist, the aforementioned Lenny Price, joined the band on alto sax and is featured on seven of the 11 songs on the new album. Price has worked, nationally and internationally, with a number of talented musicians, including Grammy award winner, Earl Klugh. Price appears on the album courtesy of Midshipman Records.
Ellensburg resident Kathy Hollar said, “We had a great time; this is unbelievable music. I enjoyed the new horn sounds, especially Lenny Price. One of my favorite songs was Renaissance Gun with [Price playing] the sax.”
“Working with Lenny Price in the studio and on stage is an immense pleasure for the entire band,” said Rawlinson. “Lenny is a great musician, colleague and friend. He studies each of my songs, then creates and plays according to the professional musician’s mantra ‘serve the song’. His talents blend well with our core band members. It’s jazz, it’s funk, it’s Boomer Rock!”
Tony Cantarino, proprietor of Lilly’s Cantina, was excited to host the Movin’ On CD release. “I’ve known Dave and the band for the past year,” he said. “We were excited to be selected to kick off the new album – and the Movin’ On show.”
Earlier in the day, the Band performed during an autograph-signing event at Jerrol’s Book and Supply. Their set at Jerrol’s included songs from their first album, Workin’ Man, as well as several songs from the new album.
The Dave Rawlinson Band represented CWU in the 2007 Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands in Los Angeles last July. They were the only band selected to participate from the Pacific Northwest.
Drummer Bob Lupton feels the band has matured and refined its music over the past year, and along with the talents of songwriter Rawlinson, he knows the band will do well if they decide to participate in this year’s competition. “We have the musicians, the songwriter, the fan support and the musical groove,” Lupton said. “As long as Dave keeps writing great songs and lyrics, we will be touring and recording.”
The band closed the evening performance with a powerful new song, Friday Night, featuring blazing horns, funky rhythms, rock guitar and driving bass.
One fan asked Dave Rawlinson about the recipe for a great album. He said, “Start with a ½ cup of Steely Dan, add 3 oz of Chicago, blend in 2 tablespoons of Tower of Power and add a dash of Roy Orbison. Pour into iPod and simmer for 45 minutes of fantastic music.” No doubt, this recipe worked Saturday night.
For information visit www.rawlinsonband.com. - NKC Tribune