Raiding the Rock Vault was kind enough to setup an interview for Coyote Music with several of the show's performers. They spoke openly about how Raiding... fits in with their touring schedules, what it's like with a rotating cast, and how great it is as professional musicians to have a gig where you get to see your kittens every night at a reasonable hour.

Oh what a night! On May 28, 2024, Raiding The Rock Vault opened its doors to Coyote Music for a pre-show backstage interview. And not enough can be said about how wonderful everyone associated with the production was to us. From initial contact about setting up an interview, to the delightful and legendary Peter Wagg (Producer of Cirque du Soleil, Celine Dion, Max Headroom) greeting us upon arrival, and then getting to visit with the performers both before and after the show--the music business can be so hit-or-miss, it didn't go unnoticed that the Raiding the Rock Vault's PR and Production staff communicated so timely, were so friendly, informative and accommodating.

Setting the stage, the Raiding The Rock Vault line-up has rotated from the the very beginning, working around performers' other projects' tours, etc. On the night we attended, the band consisted of Adria Dunford [Dancer], Blas Elias [Drums] (Slaughter, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Dan Grennes [Bass, Lead Vocals] (Billie Joe Armstrong, Melissa Etheridge), Jamie Lynch [Lead Vocals] (OG8, Zowie Bowie, Pussycat Dolls), Jessie Ohera-Aweau [Dancer] (Salt N Pepa, En Vogue, Drake), Keith St. John [Lead Vocals] (Montrose, Kingdom Come, Lynch Mob), Michael T. Ross [Keyboards/Musical Director] (Lita Ford, Missing Persons, Aldo Nova), Mitch Perry [Lead Guitar] (Edgar Winter, Cher, Steeler), Todd Kerns [Lead Vocals, Bass] (Slash, BC Entertainment Hall of Fame Member), Travis Cormier [Lead Vocals] (The Voice/ La Voix, Bat Out of Hell), and Z Maddox [Lead Guitar] (Rock of Ages). Highlights from the show can be found on Coyote Music's YouTube.

Upon arrival, the aforementioned Peter Wagg whisked me past the ticket table, leading me to the green room--a large conference room with sofas around the perimeter and a cracked open case of bottled water. As I entered, he introduced me to those who'd arrived early to take advantage of some down time before the show. I got to shake hands with Mitch, Blas, Todd, Michael, Z, and Dan.

Mitch

Several of us ventured over to a sofa to visit, but Mitch wasn't among them. Before he walked off to another corner of the room I was able to exchange a few words with him. I let him know I'd caught him performing with Lita Ford in Austin and San Antonio a few years prior, to which he smiled, nodded, and said simply, "Yes, I was there." I also let him know how much I enjoyed his work with Steeler, the band in which he replaced Yngwie Malmsteen. At that mention, he lit up and let me know that new Steeler music was coming soon! At one point while visiting with the other guys across the room, I heard strains of "Anytime" by McAuley Schenker Group coming from Mitch's phone--some pre-show music to get in the zone? Update: Lo and behold, Steeler sure as hell dropped "Give Me Guitars (Or Give Me Death)" on November 15, 2024! A must-listen for Steeler/Keel/Mitch Perry fans.

Blas

Having the chance to visit with Houston native, drummer Blas Elias, I got to ask a question that's been living rent free in the back of my mind since the Spring of 1990. When Slaughter's "Up All Night Video" seemingly took over MTV's popular Dial-MTV call-in show, it was played around the clock. My 17-year-old drumming self couldn't help but notice that there was a phone number emblazoned on a bass drum head mounted above and behind his head. So finally, I was going to get the answer to the question, "What phone number was that?"

Blas shared that it was actually the phone number of an apartment the band was living in at the time! On a lark, they put their own phone number on the drum kit. When fans would call, they would get Slaughter's answering machine that directed them to call 1-800-DIAL-MTV and vote for "Up All Night." MTV execs quickly put 2 and 2 together and pulled the video from rotation until the band removed the digits. Mind you, this was before CGI, and video editing at that level was pretty pricey for a band just breaking onto the scene. So the method was relatively manual and painstaking but soon the censored video was cleared to re-air.

Blas went on to share how fan-centric Slaughter was at that time. Their commitment to their fan club, hand-mailing their fans, creating mailing lists, and committing to sign as many autographs as possible really helped the group gain traction in those early days. But back to the drum head, Blas casually mentioned, "I still have it. It's hanging up at my house." I had to see it! He pulled up a picture of it on his phone, allowing me to take a picture of the picture.

Todd

After the show the entire line-up does a nightly meet-and-greet with the audience. It's a great photo op and chance to get autographs. But after that was over, my wife Brittany and I headed downstairs, exiting through the Hard Rock Cafe's gift shop. It was there that Todd was exiting--just out the "front door," no fancy VIP entrance or anything. He stopped and visited with several fans who'd just come from the show and talked about everything from (of course) his 6 kittens, the NBA, and soccer. Brittany and I have played in Austin FC supporters group La Murga de Austin for a few years, so we touched on our team playing Todd's hometown MLS team, Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Todd dug it and mused how impressive it is that once you cross the U.S. border headed elsewhere in the world, it's all soccer all the time and no other sport touches it.

Michael

We also got in a quick visit in with keyboardist Michael T. Ross, who frequently tours with Aldo Nova and performs with Lita Ford as time and schedules allow. On his off nights, he's been known to book solo piano performances, and even busk on the Las Vegas Strip right in front of the Hard Rock Cafe. Part of the charm of Raiding the Rock Vault's concept and performers is how down-to-earth and accessible everyone is.

Vibe of Raiding the Rock Vault as a Performer

One of the reasons I wanted to interview members of this group is to get their perspective on Raiding the Rock Vault as a professional musician's gig. All these artists have done notable recordings and tours with pretty well-known acts. But with Rock Vault it's a whole different approach--yes, you want butts in seats but you're not trying to break a new single or promote a particular album.

So I floated the question to everyone: "How is this gig? What do you like better, or not like as much, as touring or recording with a band?" The answers were pretty consistent across the board. It's a fun gig! And a dependable one. Since it is an ongoing show at Hard Rock Cafe, there's no travel, tear-down, set-up, etc. And the schedule allows for flexibility as their own other commitments come along. For example, Todd Kerns is regularly out with Slash and others, Blas has his solid seasonal commitment with Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Michael T. Ross is active with Aldo Nova and Lita Ford. Todd shared specifically that he loves a gig that allows him to get home afterward to his slew of foster kittens. Precious.

We talked about musicianship vs. talent vs. Raiding The Rock Vault essentially running on a script with fixed song arrangements, narration, and historic video clips playing behind the band. They shared that there had been, over the years, incredible musicians who had trouble staying "in their lane" as far as the confines of the show. Others might have known the songs, but couldn't nail-down specific parts or arrangements. As a group, they agreed that it tended to come down to a style thing--arrangements and cues are pretty dependent on timing, so there have been phenomenal players who didn't really fit well with the flow of the show.

Highlights from the Show

Filling in for vocalist Georgia Napolitano on the night of our performance was former Pussycat Doll, Jamie Lynch. There were several moments where Jamie's voice took center stage. Her rendition of Merry Clayton's performance on The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" was a show-stopper. And toward the end of the show she did Ann Wilson proud on Heart's hit "Alone."

Bassist Dan Grennes filled a sort of "secret weapon" role, dropping in tasty vocal harmonies all night long, with his constantly pocket-filling bass lines. Dancers Jessie Ohera-Aweau and Adria Dunford brought multiple dance styles to the mix, spanning Rock Vault's decades of music. It was only after the show while putting together this article that I learned Adria is also a successful Las Vegas realtor! Travis Cormier brought new energy to Eagles "Hotel California." And Keith St. John's channeling of Robert Plant in "Stairway to Heaven" was stellar.

Update: After about 12 years and more than 1,800 performances, Raiding the Rock Vault announced that the show is coming to an end, at least the residency version based in a single home location at Hard Rock Cafe. Word is that the show is going on the road, so stay tuned for that. The last 4 performances will be December 23, 25, 27, and 30, 2025. 🎟️ Grab your tickets NOW. The show's fantastic, with real-life musicians who are as humble and friendly as they are talented. 🤘