Adrian Berkovits
Bass player |
Dear Terry and Topher,
Just a quick note to say THANKS for starting such a great league! It’s about time we had something like this for us “regular folks”. In fact, the timing could not have been more perfect for me. I always wanted to get back into playing more often with others. The problem was I couldn’t find anybody suitable to play with. Just when you announced the League of Rock, I was almost ready to post my first ad in the paper in hopes to find other people to jam with.
With League Of Rock, you instantly took the entire burden off my shoulders by doing it all! Within 2 weeks I was signed up and already placed in my first band. The one thing I really like is that you are able to match up similar people with similar playing ability and music tastes.
Now that I’ve completed the first 10-week session, I can look back and say that practicing weekly at the Rehearsal Factory was an absolutely joy for me. The whole music environment is just awesome there. The overall energy from the other members has been outstanding. From there, it just got better when we started to play the venues in front of the other members. It gave me great perspective in that everybody here just wants to play and have fun, and that’s what I truly love the most.
Having said that, the icing on the cake was recording at Q-Studios! I can’t even express how much fun that was for me. Just being in that environment put a huge smile on my face.
From day 1 of knowing you guys, it was very evident that you took a great deal of care into the organization and planning of this league. With this…I say CONGRATS and I look forward to being in the next session in July!
Keep rockin’
Adrian Berkovits
Bass player
League Of Rock Member |
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Michelle Ostrowski
Executive Drummer
Buck 10
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Dear Terry and Topher,
Where do I start.... The past 10 weeks for me have been an incredible ride in the LOR program.
I was very nervous at the beginning, As I was not sure what I was getting myself into.
I am so new to this and have been playing the drums for a couple of years. But the league and members took me in with open arms and made me feel welcomed.
I can now say....From day one, from the launch night, to meeting the "Boys" in the band to our very first "JAM" rehearsal...no turning back. Everyone came in with the same enthusiasm and excitement. To have a great time and make some great music together!!!!
Even meeting other members of the different bands was great!!! There was nothing but phenomenal support and fun stories from all and of course great music!!!!.
Playing live at the Gibson Guitar Showroom and the Phoenix!!!..How cool was that.!!!!...
Then to add the icing on the cake, the last 2 weeks at Q Music Recording Studios. What another incredible experience.
A smile comes to my face everytime I think about it. At one point, I thought to myself...with more practice and determination, Would I not love to do this full time?...Ahhhhh....yyyesssss!!!
I was on such a high that night. Then hearing your music played back..... Whoa!!! Listening to the back tracks!!. thinking ."Is that me playing"...coooool!!!!! Thanks Rob for making me sound good!!!!
Also, the gratification I was seeing in everyone faces. Grins from ear to ear..and when we listened to it all..EVERYONE in the control room began clapping at our accomplishments!!! I did not want the evening to end.
Can hardly wait for the completed version of our CD let alone the live JAM/CD listening night on July 10th as well as hearing the other bands.
Lastly, I would like to thank all of the staff from the LOR!!!. You guys/gals are amazing!!!
The support I received especially from the coaches, Topher, Rob Sibony, Andrew, Joey and yourself. Your enthusiasm, direction and tips to me, were priceless. I cannot thank you enough.
I look forward to the next JAB session!
Michelle Ostrowski
Executive Drummer
Buck 10
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Queen Craven
Vocalist |
The best
way to describe my experience with the League of Rock is an
AMAZING JOURNEY.
When I joined The League of Rock I did not know what to expect.
I was singing with people I did not know and choosing songs
right off the bat to perform at later dates. I wondered what
did I get myself into lol. I looked at Terry Moshenberg and
thought, what does this man have up his sleeve.
Terry always greeted me with a smile and a handshake. Over
the up coming weeks he did everything to make me and every
other member feel comfortable and secure. He communicated
regularly through e-mails and we eagerly waited each week
to hear about our new coaches, gig locations and various musical
events that Terry generously offered.
As we read the communications the excitement started to build.
We were given an abundance of information on performing, working
as a band and many valuable tips at the rehearsals.
Topher Stott worked so hard to provide everything we needed
to have the most enjoyable sessions, gigs and studio time.
Topher: who is also an awesome professional drummer, sat endlessly
with members giving us tips and expert advise. His studio
knowledge helped us to prepare for our recording sessions
as well. Topher was Terry’s right hand man.
I also can’t for get about Shelly, always running around making
sure we were well stocked with necessities.
When performing in the various well arranged gigs, the rooms
were always filled with love support and respect. I could
not ask for a more comfortable environment to perform. The
coaches at the gigs were bursting with performance information
and more than willing to share; we could pick their brains
(special thanks to Steve Shelsky for always being there for
me).
I have met so many amazing musicians. It’s just great to be
in an environment that encourages you to be who you are.
We were all treated like Rock Stars and it was AWESOME.
I have grown more then I could imagine and I thank you Terry
and your staff for your generous and unselfish contribution
to my life.
What an UNFORGETTABLE experience.
I’ll be back.
Queen Craven
Singer
League Of Rock Member |
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Khaled (Keys) Dajani
Keys and Bass
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The League of Rock is real. It felt so good playing with other musicians and connecting at a deeper level in harmony with such a wonderful group. The last time I could do that was earlier than I care to remember, then the real world happened, with career, business and family taking centre stage. But hey, to get this opportunity to rock and relive the youthful passionate immersion into the abstract world of music is ecstatic.
It was doubly great for me as opportunity allowed me to join two bands with wonderful participants.
The coaches were good. They came and went in waves, leaving hints of opinions in their wake. Even when they contradicted each other, it served as a good reminder that it’s all about the music, and how we feel. Of course, there were some valuable pointers that even the well versed would benefit from.
Then there were those who persevered, and were always there for us, encouraging, always positive, cool, patiently massaging egos while coaxing us towards perfection, and even helping out with administrative issues from time to time. Thanks Topher!.
Thanks are also in order for the organizers, Terry especially, and for the coaches, even those who were in a hurry.
Special thanks and endearment go to all the musicians I played with, Queen, Gary, Chris & Chris, and John & Nick. You guys were the inspiration, and the team work made it special. I hope to play with you time and time again.
Khaled (Keys) Dajani
Keys and Bass
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"League of Rock is a first class experience. Terry works hard, gives a shit, and has surrounded himself with top notch coaches like Topher Stott and Steve Shelski. Highly recommended."
Regards,
Randy Keller
Drummer - All You Can Eat Haggis |
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Al Smail
Drummer COMPASS
League of Rock member |
What an awesome concept ! I can't believe someone didn't think of this
sooner.
For a guy like me who shoots his weight @ the golf course, the LOR
was a perfect way to address the "mid-life crisis" phase without shelling
out for a Harley ! Playing in front of your peers & receiving feedback from
REAL musicians and producers has been incredibly rewarding.
The coaching &
support has been excellent, & I've made numerous friends over the past 10
weeks.
Thanx to Terry & Topher and the whole LOR gang, I'm now better
equipped to "keep on rockin' in the free world" 'till I'm old & gray!!
Al Smail
Drummer COMPASS
League of Rock member |
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Rob Chiarantano
Drummer |
"Terry, I wanted
to express my sincerest thanks to you, Topher and all the
coaches for was an awesome experience.
I enjoyed being exposed to like minded musicians who share the
same passion for the art. I was set on different path as a youngster
that prevented me from chasing my music dream.
Being a part of the League of Rock has rekindled that
spirit I had in my youth. I have developed friendships with many
of the league members from across the city, all of which could
never have done without your program.
Playing at the Gibson Guitar Lounge and The Phoenix Concert Theatre
with full sound in front of my peers was the topic of conversation
for many weeks. This is only the beginning of something very big
in the music industry.
See you at the next session."
Sincerely,
Rob Chiarantano
Drummer for the Animators
League of Rock Member |
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Phil Newman
Guitar |
“Last year, just prior to my 50th birthday, I had to make some of those serious mid-life decisions; my blood pressure was going up as was my golf handicap. I found an old guitar my daughter had lying around and looked for some people to jam with. When I did manage to find a jam, there were always egos and individual agendas to deal with. For someone with a business to run and a pretty hectic schedule, it was difficult to manage this from a scheduling and commitment perspective.
Fortunately, through a serendipitous sequence of events, I heard about the LOR and met Terry. What a great idea! I never realized how many guys there are out there like me! A community of interest that never loses sight of what it’s all about: Fun & Music and nothing but Fun & Music (to coin a phrase). Varying levels of talent + love of music (and the need to rock) + good intentions ego = good music.
I usually lost interest in casual jams after the 2nd or 3rd go round but find myself looking forward to seeing my crazy bandmates every week. I know we all get a CD of the tunes we’ve been tackling for the past 10 weeks but I also know I’ll leave this session with great new friends who are also talented and courteous musicians who understand the concept of ‘group art’.
We were fortunate to have such good coaches who were able
to help us not only with our chops but also help us to understand
the obvious elements and the subtleties of creating this ‘group
art’. You can’t help but come out of a LOR session a better musician
and more importantly with a big ass grin on your face!"
Phil Newman
President and Owner
Cobmex Apparel Ltd.
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Mitch Moshenberg
Bass PLayer |
"I woke up this morning feeling like a new person. As if nothing
could shake me. I do believe this has everything to do with our
live performance at the Phoenix Concert Theatre last night. What
an outstanding evening. 25 guys and girls got up and Rocked Out
Loud on a big stage with tons of watts...what more could
a 47 year old full time builder/part time bass player ask for
?
I have to admit...I have learned more in 7 weeks with the LOR than I think I have in the last year of playing in my own jams, Not that the jams aren't fun, they are...but playing on the same stage as Little Feat last year was a pretty awesome feeling.
Looking forward to recording our stuff in the weeks to come."
Mitch - Bassplayer - Buck10
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Donald Quan
Owner
Q Music |
Just wanted to thank you for involving me and Q Music Studios in the
League project. I am having a blast and it's great hanging and
meeting with the coaches and others.
Rehearsal today was a blast and
I will make sure I've sorted all of the important horn parts out by
show day. I'll probably make little charts for the riffs for the horn
players.
Thanks for the opportunity to be around for the MacLeans shoot as
well. I would indeed appreciate any mention I can get.
Let's just say I'm proud to be part of your great project! Looking
forward to the 21st.
Regards,
Donald Quan
Owner - Q MUSIC |
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Dave Robertson
Bass Player |
League of Rock - who knew that
a concept could be transformed into reality for some 40 of
us in the 1st round of the league? All these strangers came
together, formed bands, gelled, rehearsed, played live and
recorded in a top-notch studio.
Incredible experience with coaching and truly a bunch of great
guys and women.
Do it again, absolutely, recommend to others, absolutely.
Hey Terry, build us a clubhouse and pass the Cognac - they
will come. Best of luck to all and ROCK OUT LOUD! Oh yeah,
the music, The music, THE MUSIC, that's what counts.
Dave Robertson with "intention" and heart felt thanks. |
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Chris Ford
Bass Player |
The league of rock is awesome!! It's exactly what i was hoping it would be and then more!!! cant even explain how much ive learned in only 3 sessions. its great!!
Chris Ford
Bass Player - 4 Kings and a Queen
League Of Rock Member
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"Thanks so much. It has been the experience of a lifetime!"
Barry Twohig
Bass Player - Pi (2) |
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Chris Warsnop
Drummer
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"I had a fantastic time, I would recommend the League Of Rock to everyone! The studio we recorded at was incredible!"
Chris Warsnop
Drummer |
