The Reagan Years
The Reagan Years is an 80’s Tribute band based in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.[1] The band plays tribute to the pop, rock, heavy metal and the new wave music of the Ronald Reagan era - performing songs by Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Billy Idol, A-ha, Nena, Blondie, Duran Duran, Beatlemania, AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, and more.[1] The band also pays homage to this pop rock music by dressing in 80's fashion at most performances. [2] The group's motto is: "No voodoo economics, just great party music!" [3][4] By capitalizing on the comeback of 80's hits in the mid-1990's, The Reagan Years band is recognized for having pioneered the concept of an 80's tribute, playing songs from one decade rather than traditional tribute bands that cover one specific artist. [5]
History
The Reagan Years was formed in 1996 by Andy "Sy" Seyler and Karen Ellison, both from Mount Airy, Maryland. [6] In the early 90's, the two met while playing in a rock group called Aislynn. [6] When Seyler saw a Burger King ad with the song "I Melt with You", along with radio stations playing special programs featuring 80's hits, he realized 80's music was coming back - as this inspired the idea for a new band.[6] The two wanted to focus on the upbeat hits and party scene of the 80's in light of the darker, angrier music of the 90's.[2] The first official lineup for The Reagan Years featured Karen Ellison, Sy Seyler, Al Lewis, Paul Majors, and Chris Caminitti - although this was the only time the five performed together.[1] Soon after, Miguel Pereza and Lenny Everett joined Karen, Sy, and Chris.[3] The lineup has continued to change throughout the past 20+ years with Karen Ellison and Sy Seyler continuing the band.[7]
Members
Current members
- Sy Seyler (drums and vocals) – since 1996 [6]
- Karen Ellison (keys and vocals) – since 1996 [6]
- Glenn Riley (guitar and vocals) – since 2000 [4]
- Jody Lewis (bass and vocals) – since 2007[8]
- Scott Benford (saxophone and harmonica) – since 2016[9]
- Rachel Harvey-Jones (vocals) – since 2017[10]
- Nat Doegen (vocals and acoustic guitar) – since 2017[11]
Former members
- Al Lewis (vocals) [1]
- Paul Majors (bass) [1]
- Chris Caminitti (guitar) [2]
- Miguel Pereza (vocals) [3]
- Lenny Everett (bass)[3][12]
- Carl Haas (bass) [2]
- Michael Leigh (vocals) [4]
- Don Wicklin (vocals) [5]
- Stephan Scott Lay (vocals) [5]
Musical Influences
The Reagan Years band focuses on musical diversity in their setlist as well as through the vocal abilities of individual members.[5] For example, Karen Ellison typically covers the female artists of the decade - such as Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Pat Benatar as well as Edie Brickell and Aimee Mann. [2][3] Sy Seyler focuses instead on the voices of The B-52's, Midnight Oil, Billy Idol, and Michael Hutchence of INXS[2] The group also uses modern technology - keyboard modules, electronic drums, and more - to replicate every detail of the 80's atmosphere.[1] Other acts featured on their setlist include: Journey, Devo, Joan Jett, Guns N' Roses, ZZ Top, U2, Wang Chung, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, and Rick Springfield. [5][6][1]
Accomplishments
Notable Performances
The Reagan Years shows typically target audiences in the east coast, while also taking on international performances in Hawaii in 2012, Panama in 2013, and Spain and Germany in 2015.[5][13] The Reagan Years performed at Baltimore's 1998 New Years Eve celebration at Inner Harbor with an estimated crowd of 175,000.[2][14] The band played for City of Frederick MD's Independence Day in 2001 for around 11,000 people.[7] The group also opened for Violent Femmes and The Psychedelic Furs at Rams Head Live! in December 2005.[15] At the Official Tailgate Party of the Military Bowl, the Reagan Years performed for over 8,000 at the D.C. Armory in 2010.[7] In 2011, the band also played at GE’s Ronald Reagan centennial birthday celebration in DC.[2][16][4]
The Reagan Years headlined Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in 2013 and opened for Loverboy at Ocean City's Springfest in 2014.[7] The band also performed with Vertical Horizon, Fuel (band), and Gin Blossoms for Black Eyed Susan Day at Pimlico Race Course in May 2015.[7][17] In light of the Inauguration of Donald Trump (January 2017), The Reagan Years performed at the All American Inaugural Ball as well as the WMAL Inauguration Celebration.[13][18][19][20] In 2019, the band opened for Night Ranger at Ocean City's Springfest. [21][22]
Awards
Winner, Best of the Best: Cover Band, Frederick News-Post (Oct 2018)[23]
Winner, Best Band, Frederick Magazine (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019)[24][25][26][27][28]
Winner, Best Band, Reader's Choice Award, The Herald-Mail (2016) [29]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Welgoss, Bill. "The Reagan Years: Flashback to the '80's'" (October 2002). Streetlights Magazine LLC.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "The Reagan Years". The Pennsylvania Musician (March 1998). PA Musician Magazine.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Kishbaugh, Jerry (November 8, 1996). "Goin' retro: Relive the music of the '80s with the Reagan Years". The Citizens' Voice. Citizens' Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Gavin, Patrick (November 29, 2011). "The Reagan Years' indy rock". Politico.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Reagan Years to bring 80s hit to floating stage". The Express. The Express, Lock Haven, PA. July 28, 2016.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Oravec, Nathan (April 7, 2005). "'80s enough; The Reagan Years revives a happier, hairier, and more musical time". The Gazette. The Gazette.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Bellefonte Community Band and The Reagan Years". The Record. Clinton County Publishing. July 28, 2016.
- ↑ Colburn, Brad (September 7, 2011). "Rotary Club hosts Endless Summer Music Festival". Mt. Airy Messenger.
- ↑ Schelle, Crystal (August 25, 2016). "The Reagan Years brings back the '80s at End of Summer Bash". Herald-Mail Media.
- ↑ "Please Welcome Raychel Harvey-Jones". The Reagan Years. January 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Say hello to Nat!". The Reagan Years. November 14, 2017.
- ↑ "The Reagan Years". The Baltimore Sun. March 10, 2005.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Denobel, Jacob (January 19, 2007). "Mount Airy-based band The Reagan Years performs at inaugural ball". Carroll County Times. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ↑ Schuster, Emily (Jan 5, 1998). "Family festivities for New Year's Eve". SunSpot Today. Baltimore Sun.
- ↑ "Nightclubs RockPopBlues AFT ..." The Washington Post. 2005.
- ↑ Chapin, Adele (February 15, 2011). "GE Honors Reagan's 100th Birthday With Serious Panel, Silly '80s After-Party". BizBish. BizBash Media, Inc.
- ↑ Case, Wesley (April 22, 2015). "Gin Blossoms, Fuel to play Black-Eyed Susan Day concert at Pimlico". The Baltimore Sun.
- ↑ Boboltz, Sara (January 17, 2017). "A Band Called The Reagan Years Will Play Trump Inauguration To Celebrate 'Democratic Process'". HuffPost. HuffPost News. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ↑ O'Connor, Roisin (January 17, 2017). "Presidential inauguration: The Reagan Years respond to criticism over upcoming performance". The Independent. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ↑ Crystal, Schelle (January 15, 2017). "The Reagan Years gears up for the Trump years". Herald-Mail Media. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ↑ Pilz, Morgan (April 25, 2019). "Springfest to kick off May 2 with music, vendors and food". OC Today. Ocean City Today.
- ↑ Desai, Kamleshkumar (April 29, 2019). "Ocean City Springfest celebrates season with LeAnnRimes, Night Ranger and more". Salisbury Daily Times.
- ↑ "Announcing the Top Dogs: Best in Show". Issuu. Frederick-News Post. October 30, 2018. p. 9.
- ↑ Fletcher, Guy; Luse, Nancy (February 27, 2014). "Best of Frederick 2014 Winners". Frederick Magazine.
- ↑ "Best of Frederick 2016 Winners". Frederick Magazine. February 14, 2016.
- ↑ "Best of Frederick 2017 Winners". Frederick Magazine. February 16, 2017.
- ↑ "Best of Frederick 2018 Winners". Frederick Magazine. February 12, 2018.
- ↑ Bartel, April; Fletcher, Guy; Luse, Nancy (February 8, 2019). "Best of Frederick 2019 Winners". Frederick Magazine.
- ↑ "2016 Readers' Choice". Herald-Mail Media.
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