About Us
The American Soul & Rock & Roll Choir is a fun, exuberant show celebrating the roots of rock & roll. The Choir is a group of powerful, high-spirited singers and a sizzling soul rhythm section.
The Choir performs the classic rock & roll hits
recognized across all generations.
Soul, Blues and Gospel music has influenced music icons such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Stones and many, many more. These legends have all given credit to gospel and blues performers as their inspiration.
If it weren’t for soul, blues and gospel,
many essential rock songs wouldn’t exist.
The American Soul & Rock & Roll Choir audience grew up with these songs and have listened to them their entire lives. This program is a tribute to the power of this music to inspire, unite and lift the spirit.
The American Soul & Rock & Roll Choir
is Rock & Roll redemption!
Origins of the Project
Was it “the devil’s music”?
Were The Beatles bigger than Jesus?
Is rock & roll a religious experience?
The concept for The American Soul & Rock & Roll Choir has been carefully developed over the past several years by veteran music executive Dan Beck. Using his extensive experience and passion for the music of the past half century, he is taking rock & roll back to its roots by reinterpreting classic rock songs as inspired by gospel and R&B. The Choir is “taking classic rock back to its roots in an exploration into great songs and contemporary musical history. This show is about enjoying the collaborative nature of popular music’s evolution,” explains Beck. To create The Choir's sound, Beck went to writer/producer Darrell Brown. Brown’s prolific hit songwriting success, enormous musical energy, and love and respect of artists and performers, made him the perfect choice. Brown is at the center of the crossroads of gospel and rock. He developed the 100 member choir touring with Neil Young and was the Musical Director for the Tribute to Gospel during Grammy Week 2008. Darrell is aware of the challenge of reinventing classic hits, “As a songwriter, I knew we were dancing on "the thin thread of insanity" when we decided to chip away at these classic rock and iconic soul songs. We just believed we could discover a new way to reintroduce the passion within them, a new way to sing out a positive message of inspiration.”
Who’s Who?
Dan Beck (Producer)
Dan Beck is a 35-year veteran of the music industry and is considered one of the premier creative marketing experts and talent developers in the field. Beck was a key player in the campaigns and careers of music giants such as Labelle, Ted Nugent, Boston, The Clash, Michael Jackson, Culture Club, Gloria Estefan, Luther Vandross, Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine, Sade, Charlie Rich, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Larry Gatlin, David Allan Coe, Moby, and Aerosmith.
Darrell Brown (Producer/Musical Director)
Darrell Brown has had great success as a songwriter and producer. He has collaborated with a wide variety of artists including Rascal Flatts, Brooks and Dunn, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Mavis Staples, Dolly Parton, Wilson Phillips, Mavis Staples, and Smokey Robinson. Most recently Brown co-wrote 9 songs with Leann Rimes for her CD Family including her Grammy nominated hit single “Nothing Better To Do.” In addition, he conducted the 100 voice choir for Neil Young’s Grammy- nominated album, Living with War and is the Musical Director for a special gospel presentation being created for the NARAS Institute for a celebrated performance during Grammy Week in 2008.
The American Soul & Rock & Roll Choir is an ever-evolving group of musicians and vocalists. Their premier performance took place on Sunday, January 13, 2008, at B.B. King Blues Club in New York, NY. On that day, the choir and band included:
Choir
Musicians
Choreographer