Our Community Rocks!
For the 6th year in a row, our community hosted another successful Community Rocks! concert held February 15th at the Grand Hotel. This event showcases the incredible talent found right here in Minot, ND. As has been done every year since its inception, Community Rocks! partners with a beneficiary to stage an annual classic rock concert. This year’s beneficiary is Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports. The Community Rocks! Orchestra performs songs dedicated to the primary beneficiary and this year the set list included “Centerfield” by John Fogerty and “We Will Rock You / We Are the Champions”. The Grand Hotel was rocking as the Community Rocks! Orchestra played for 3+ hours in front of another packed house.
Speaking of beneficiaries, this year we set a record in total gifts at $51,500. We held our Gifting Ceremony on March 9 at the Grand Hotel where we gave away the proceeds to 13 different charities. To see the names of every charity we gave to this year, please visit our website at www.CommunityRocksND.org.
Once again, a majority of the music was arranged by local artists including Efrain Amaya, Erik M. Anderson, J. Erik Anderson, Emerson Eads, Miles Anderson, and Charles Young. Minot Symphony Orchestra’s Concertmaster Jon Rumney – who can shred an electric violin that rivals Eddie Van Halen on guitar - was once again featured during a competitive montage of classic guitar riffs. Watch for Jon to continue to wow the audience in future performances. This year the set list included “Smokin’” by Boston as a hard-charging instrumental featuring Dianna Anderson on the organ. Dianna also wowed the crowd on keyboard during the song “Dream On” (Aerosmith). Dianna, Efrain, Erik M., Emerson, Miles, Charles, and Jon, you make our Community Rock!
For 2020, Community Rocks! featured three local talented vocalists in Jazmine Schultz, Kellan Anderson, and Myles Barcomb who led the audience through many classic hits throughout the night. Myles got the night started with “Heard it Through the Grapevine” (Marvin Gaye) which immediately set the tone that we strive for every year. Continuing that rock concert feel, Kellan hit homeruns on Fogerty’s “Centerfield” (Fogerty), “We Will Rock You” (Queen), “American Pie” (Don McLean), and “Stairway to Heaven” (Led Zepplin). Watch for Kellan to continue to be a force in the local music scene and at future CR concerts. Jazmine showcased her incredible range on “Dream On” (Aerosmith) and continued to offer her talents with “We are the Champions” (Queen), “Livin’ on a Prayer” (Bon Jovi), “Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey), “Dust in the Wind” (Kansas), and a tribute to Aretha Franklin on “Think” and “Respect”. After demanding an encore, the crowd joined with the orchestra as they sang along to “Twist and Shout” (Isley Brothers) and “Friends in Low Places” (Garth Brooks) both featuring Jazmine and Kellan on lead vocals. A memorable moment occurred when Lisa Michels, the winner of a live auction karaoke opportunity from our 2019 event, was invited back again this year to dedicate and sing a tribute to a friend who loved the song “Joy to the World” (Three Dog Night). Thank you Myles, Jazmine, Kellan, and Lisa. Because of you, our Community Rocks!
And of course, we owe a big thank you to the entire 38-member orchestra, most of whom are friends and family from right here in Minot. These talented musicians dedicated their time in practice and rehearsal to perform 3+ hours of classic rock standards that our community will be talking about for a long time. Our Community Rocks!
We owe so much gratitude to so many and that includes our emcee and auctioneer. Tom Schrader provided his emcee talents and set the stage early by reminding us all that this is a rock concert and encouraging people to sing and dance. Kevin Beeter, as auctioneer, was instrumental in helping us raise over $28,000 in the auction items. Both Tom and Kevin have an incredible feel for the crowd and contributed greatly through their talents and generosity. Because of them, our Community Rocks!
Corporate sponsors and auction donors – too numerous to name here – came aboard early in the planning process. Please find us on Facebook and online at www.CommunityRocksND.org to see our postings about all of our corporate sponsors and above all, please support and thank them! We set a record this year with 38 corporate sponsors. An event like this could not be possible without the support of the entire community including corporate sponsors.
Brandon Trondson of More Than Music did another fabulous job on sound, lighting, and tech. Want to know an interesting trivial fact? The best seats in the house are always next to the sound guy! This year, Brandon and his crew ran the projectors and monitors displaying song lyrics for the audience and performers. Brandon has an inherent feel for how to get the audience engaged and for that, we are all thankful. Because of Brandon, this year’s version of Community Rocks! had the best look and sound ever.
For the second year, Kristin Michels provided graphic design for our posters, tickets, and programs. Her talent has defined our logo and will have impact on our image for years to come. Our online presence is made possible due to the talents of Joanna Miller (www.CommunityRocksND.org). A special shout out to Joanna for designing our website and for building the front end of our online ticket sales. Thank you Kristin and Joanna!
In addition to those previously mentioned, appreciation is in order to the Community Rocks! board members and volunteers from the beneficiary who helped organize this year’s event. Our Community Rocks! because of people like the CR Board: Dean Frantsvog, Bonny Kemper, and Kristi Rosselli. Each year we partner with a different beneficiary and this year’s group from Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports was great to work with – thank you Krystal Butgereit, Drew Hanson, Angie Thompson, and Chad Thompson.
Promoting this event was made possible through the generosity of such organizations as 94.9 The Zoo, WGO 102.9, and Niess Impressions. We also relied heavily on Eckroth Music and Badlands Brew Coffee who served as our physical ticket outlets. Like every year since our inception, Community Rocks! was held at The Grand Hotel. Sarah, Tom, and the entire staff at The Grand Hotel are phenomenal to work with and helped us pull off another successful event.
By far the most important group that supports this event is the audience. Without your attendance, this event would not be possible. After all, without an audience, this is simply a 38-member garage band. What good is putting on a show or throwing a party if no one shows up? The fact that we have packed the Grand Hotel five years in a row is not lost on us. Thank you Minot! Indeed, our Community Rocks!
In closing, thank you to all who supported and attended Community Rocks! 2020. There is already buzz about Community Rocks! 2021. Please take a moment to complete our survey found on our website (www.CommunityRocksND.org) and Facebook page. We’d love to hear your suggestions for music selection – tell us about your favorite classic rock song and how we can make your event better! We hope to see you at Community Rocks! 2020.
With gratitude,
Co-Founders: J. Erik Anderson & Andy Bertsch
Community Rocks!
Music That Matters
For the 6th year in a row, our community hosted another successful Community Rocks! concert held February 15th at the Grand Hotel. This event showcases the incredible talent found right here in Minot, ND. As has been done every year since its inception, Community Rocks! partners with a beneficiary to stage an annual classic rock concert. This year’s beneficiary is Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports. The Community Rocks! Orchestra performs songs dedicated to the primary beneficiary and this year the set list included “Centerfield” by John Fogerty and “We Will Rock You / We Are the Champions”. The Grand Hotel was rocking as the Community Rocks! Orchestra played for 3+ hours in front of another packed house.
Speaking of beneficiaries, this year we set a record in total gifts at $51,500. We held our Gifting Ceremony on March 9 at the Grand Hotel where we gave away the proceeds to 13 different charities. To see the names of every charity we gave to this year, please visit our website at www.CommunityRocksND.org.
Once again, a majority of the music was arranged by local artists including Efrain Amaya, Erik M. Anderson, J. Erik Anderson, Emerson Eads, Miles Anderson, and Charles Young. Minot Symphony Orchestra’s Concertmaster Jon Rumney – who can shred an electric violin that rivals Eddie Van Halen on guitar - was once again featured during a competitive montage of classic guitar riffs. Watch for Jon to continue to wow the audience in future performances. This year the set list included “Smokin’” by Boston as a hard-charging instrumental featuring Dianna Anderson on the organ. Dianna also wowed the crowd on keyboard during the song “Dream On” (Aerosmith). Dianna, Efrain, Erik M., Emerson, Miles, Charles, and Jon, you make our Community Rock!
For 2020, Community Rocks! featured three local talented vocalists in Jazmine Schultz, Kellan Anderson, and Myles Barcomb who led the audience through many classic hits throughout the night. Myles got the night started with “Heard it Through the Grapevine” (Marvin Gaye) which immediately set the tone that we strive for every year. Continuing that rock concert feel, Kellan hit homeruns on Fogerty’s “Centerfield” (Fogerty), “We Will Rock You” (Queen), “American Pie” (Don McLean), and “Stairway to Heaven” (Led Zepplin). Watch for Kellan to continue to be a force in the local music scene and at future CR concerts. Jazmine showcased her incredible range on “Dream On” (Aerosmith) and continued to offer her talents with “We are the Champions” (Queen), “Livin’ on a Prayer” (Bon Jovi), “Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey), “Dust in the Wind” (Kansas), and a tribute to Aretha Franklin on “Think” and “Respect”. After demanding an encore, the crowd joined with the orchestra as they sang along to “Twist and Shout” (Isley Brothers) and “Friends in Low Places” (Garth Brooks) both featuring Jazmine and Kellan on lead vocals. A memorable moment occurred when Lisa Michels, the winner of a live auction karaoke opportunity from our 2019 event, was invited back again this year to dedicate and sing a tribute to a friend who loved the song “Joy to the World” (Three Dog Night). Thank you Myles, Jazmine, Kellan, and Lisa. Because of you, our Community Rocks!
And of course, we owe a big thank you to the entire 38-member orchestra, most of whom are friends and family from right here in Minot. These talented musicians dedicated their time in practice and rehearsal to perform 3+ hours of classic rock standards that our community will be talking about for a long time. Our Community Rocks!
We owe so much gratitude to so many and that includes our emcee and auctioneer. Tom Schrader provided his emcee talents and set the stage early by reminding us all that this is a rock concert and encouraging people to sing and dance. Kevin Beeter, as auctioneer, was instrumental in helping us raise over $28,000 in the auction items. Both Tom and Kevin have an incredible feel for the crowd and contributed greatly through their talents and generosity. Because of them, our Community Rocks!
Corporate sponsors and auction donors – too numerous to name here – came aboard early in the planning process. Please find us on Facebook and online at www.CommunityRocksND.org to see our postings about all of our corporate sponsors and above all, please support and thank them! We set a record this year with 38 corporate sponsors. An event like this could not be possible without the support of the entire community including corporate sponsors.
Brandon Trondson of More Than Music did another fabulous job on sound, lighting, and tech. Want to know an interesting trivial fact? The best seats in the house are always next to the sound guy! This year, Brandon and his crew ran the projectors and monitors displaying song lyrics for the audience and performers. Brandon has an inherent feel for how to get the audience engaged and for that, we are all thankful. Because of Brandon, this year’s version of Community Rocks! had the best look and sound ever.
For the second year, Kristin Michels provided graphic design for our posters, tickets, and programs. Her talent has defined our logo and will have impact on our image for years to come. Our online presence is made possible due to the talents of Joanna Miller (www.CommunityRocksND.org). A special shout out to Joanna for designing our website and for building the front end of our online ticket sales. Thank you Kristin and Joanna!
In addition to those previously mentioned, appreciation is in order to the Community Rocks! board members and volunteers from the beneficiary who helped organize this year’s event. Our Community Rocks! because of people like the CR Board: Dean Frantsvog, Bonny Kemper, and Kristi Rosselli. Each year we partner with a different beneficiary and this year’s group from Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports was great to work with – thank you Krystal Butgereit, Drew Hanson, Angie Thompson, and Chad Thompson.
Promoting this event was made possible through the generosity of such organizations as 94.9 The Zoo, WGO 102.9, and Niess Impressions. We also relied heavily on Eckroth Music and Badlands Brew Coffee who served as our physical ticket outlets. Like every year since our inception, Community Rocks! was held at The Grand Hotel. Sarah, Tom, and the entire staff at The Grand Hotel are phenomenal to work with and helped us pull off another successful event.
By far the most important group that supports this event is the audience. Without your attendance, this event would not be possible. After all, without an audience, this is simply a 38-member garage band. What good is putting on a show or throwing a party if no one shows up? The fact that we have packed the Grand Hotel five years in a row is not lost on us. Thank you Minot! Indeed, our Community Rocks!
In closing, thank you to all who supported and attended Community Rocks! 2020. There is already buzz about Community Rocks! 2021. Please take a moment to complete our survey found on our website (www.CommunityRocksND.org) and Facebook page. We’d love to hear your suggestions for music selection – tell us about your favorite classic rock song and how we can make your event better! We hope to see you at Community Rocks! 2020.
With gratitude,
Co-Founders: J. Erik Anderson & Andy Bertsch
Community Rocks!
Music That Matters
