The Blazer Band
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Sooner sophomore shines in father's band
Cole Priddy/The Daily
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Blazer Band poses with their instruments. The band is composed of (right to left) Steve Blazer, Paul Ivie, Matt Slick, Russ Angell, Kim Knapp and OU sophomore Michelle Blazer. (Photo Provided)
A lot of students start making music together during college or have already been playing with friends since the high school garage band days, but not too many times does one join a ’60s cover band full of middle-aged men and an ex-country starlet.
Michelle Blazer, an OU sophomore, never planned on joining a band with her father and his friends, but after a falling out with some Craigslist auditions, she became a necessary addition.
The Blazer Band consists of a full arrangement with all six members singing and playing different instruments. Steve Blazer, Michelle’s father, has always been passionate about music since his middle school years and his first band The Knights of Soul.
Everyone in the band grew up with a musical background — Steve’s friends, members of his church and former country sensation Kim Knapp. The Blazer Band’s music is fueled the sounds of Steve’s heyday — the 1960s. Steve spoke enthusiastically about the British Invasion and the influence of legends like The Beatles, Buddy Holly and Aretha Franklin.
“Poor Michelle had to grow up listening to all of this music,” Steve said.
Unfortunately, only two days before the group’s first show, the band lost its keyboard player acquired through Craigslist due to some misunderstanding with the band’s intentions.
Michelle came to her father’s rescue and fell right into place, officially completing The Blazer Band.
“She fit the band like a glove,” Steve said.
Michelle has always had a strong connection with music and her family, so combining them has made for a new experience, she said.
“[It’s] refreshing because I have always been very shy with music, but having this band that is so goofy and fun and supportive has made me more comfortable to share my talent with people,” she said.
The band’s popularity has only continued to grow as it has climbed from restaurant or patio gigs to country clubs and outdoor stages.
The shows are marathon performances that usually last up to three hours. The group has created four or five separate setlists and uses several unusual rituals to survive these monster sets — a common pre-show habit includes chugging down hot tea drinks and lead singer Russ Angell will often eat a handful of honey packets.
Every member of the band chooses their own solo based on their favorite ’60s cover song. Michelle’s favorites to play are “One (Is the Loneliest Number)” by Harry Nilsson and her solo “The Peppermint Twist” by Joey Dee and the Starliters.
Often, The Blazer Band’s shows incite dancing, but even more thrilling for Steve is the experience of making music with his daughter. Playing alongside Michelle makes Steve proud and excited for the future of the band, he said.
“[It’s] my favorite teenager in the world doing the same thing right next to me,” Steve said.
Sooner sophomore shines in father's band
Cole Priddy/The Daily
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Blazer Band poses with their instruments. The band is composed of (right to left) Steve Blazer, Paul Ivie, Matt Slick, Russ Angell, Kim Knapp and OU sophomore Michelle Blazer. (Photo Provided)
A lot of students start making music together during college or have already been playing with friends since the high school garage band days, but not too many times does one join a ’60s cover band full of middle-aged men and an ex-country starlet.
Michelle Blazer, an OU sophomore, never planned on joining a band with her father and his friends, but after a falling out with some Craigslist auditions, she became a necessary addition.
The Blazer Band consists of a full arrangement with all six members singing and playing different instruments. Steve Blazer, Michelle’s father, has always been passionate about music since his middle school years and his first band The Knights of Soul.
Everyone in the band grew up with a musical background — Steve’s friends, members of his church and former country sensation Kim Knapp. The Blazer Band’s music is fueled the sounds of Steve’s heyday — the 1960s. Steve spoke enthusiastically about the British Invasion and the influence of legends like The Beatles, Buddy Holly and Aretha Franklin.
“Poor Michelle had to grow up listening to all of this music,” Steve said.
Unfortunately, only two days before the group’s first show, the band lost its keyboard player acquired through Craigslist due to some misunderstanding with the band’s intentions.
Michelle came to her father’s rescue and fell right into place, officially completing The Blazer Band.
“She fit the band like a glove,” Steve said.
Michelle has always had a strong connection with music and her family, so combining them has made for a new experience, she said.
“[It’s] refreshing because I have always been very shy with music, but having this band that is so goofy and fun and supportive has made me more comfortable to share my talent with people,” she said.
The band’s popularity has only continued to grow as it has climbed from restaurant or patio gigs to country clubs and outdoor stages.
The shows are marathon performances that usually last up to three hours. The group has created four or five separate setlists and uses several unusual rituals to survive these monster sets — a common pre-show habit includes chugging down hot tea drinks and lead singer Russ Angell will often eat a handful of honey packets.
Every member of the band chooses their own solo based on their favorite ’60s cover song. Michelle’s favorites to play are “One (Is the Loneliest Number)” by Harry Nilsson and her solo “The Peppermint Twist” by Joey Dee and the Starliters.
Often, The Blazer Band’s shows incite dancing, but even more thrilling for Steve is the experience of making music with his daughter. Playing alongside Michelle makes Steve proud and excited for the future of the band, he said.
“[It’s] my favorite teenager in the world doing the same thing right next to me,” Steve said.
- The Oklahoma Daily
Discography
The Blazer Band is in the developing stage of our website, www.theblazerband.com. We do have some music sampling on the site recorded at a closed venue, so it was more of "rehearsal" mode than what you would see in a "live" performance. We will be adding music to the site but don't have plans of releasing "for sale" cd's at this time.
Photos
Bio
In the fall of 2009, The Blazer Band came together from a group of friends who have played for many years performing various styles of other music. We present each tune with energy and in most cases, note for note and in the original key performed by the original artist or group.
With 6 vocalists and the love of the variety of different styles of classic rock, The Blazer Band brings to life nearly 5 hours of the sounds of Motown, Beach city, and drivin' Rock N Roll. From The Beatles,The Everly Brothers, Three Dog Night ,Van Morrison, Janis Joplin, The Allman Brothers, Martha and The Vandalas, The Kinks, Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett, The Monkees, Chuck Berry, The Temptations, The Beach Boys, Steve Miller, Van Halen and more....we WILL "Rock The House"!!
We can customize our performance with 2 separate shows!!1) Rock N Roll Remembered, a timelined medley of rock and roll; or 2) Beatles Tribute, a 2 hour medley of the Fab Four's greatest hits.
The Blazer Band are all non smokers and audiences will NEVER hear anything that could offend. We are all in full time careers outside the music industry and play our music for pure enjoyment. Whether you're six or sixty, you'll simply have a great time .....here's whom you'll meet...
Russ Angell, ....CEO Insurance Industry
Kim Knapp, ....Oil and Gas systems analyst
Michelle Blazer, ....College student
Paul Ivie, ....IT Consultant
Matt Slick, ....Telecommunications
Steve Blazer, ....Entrepreneur
Links
