About Soul R System

Soul R System was formed on January 5th 2007 after a few trial names and a jam session or two at drummer Riley's house. The boys all knew each other, being 9 year olds in the same grade at the same school. In their early days, the music, initially, was fairly forgettable as they were pretty much making it up as they went. One thing they knew for sure, they loved playing music and they were a creative force together. In fact, the first actual songs they worked on were two of their own compositions, Patriots and Lazy Day. These were followed by a Beatles cover and some more classic rock and they were on their way to becoming a real band. Now, at the ripe old ages of 13-years-old going on 21, these three boys play multi-instruments, sing three part harmony and rock with a musicality and an energy that can rival some bands two and three times their age. Their early performances were mostly playing a short set as an opening act. Now they play entire shows and private parties by themselves three to four times a month. With supportive family and friends acting as fan club, roadies, drivers and music advisors, talent way beyond their years and an increasing galaxy of loyal and enthusiastic fans, the sky's the limit or rather the universe, for these kids who put the soul in Soul R System! Soul R System is available for public and private appearances. Some recent performances include head-lining on the deck at Bay City in Hanover PA , and other local venues in Central PA area. Their set lists include songs by the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, CCR, and AC/DC to name a few. Call 717-632-8755 or email for booking availablity and rates.

Band Bio

Riley Rager (Vocals, guitar, bass and drums) Riley started his music career at 9 years old when a friend of the family gave him and his sister a rescued set of drums on the brink of a trip to the local landfill. Riley cleaned them up and knew that he liked drums immediately. He loved the feel of the drums, the sound and especially the way that his Mom and Dad would tell him to "keep it down" all the time. He started taking lessons within a few weeks and became unstoppable. Needless to say, the Rager house has never been the same. It didn't take Riley long to decide that he wanted to try his skills at the guitar. He started picking out a few songs, started taking lessons (thanks to Mr.Colgan) and just like that, the guitar and the bass have become permanent fixtures at the end of his arms. Soul R System has been a dream come true for Riley. He loves performing and "switching it up" with different instruments and such a variety of songs. With Jesse and Nick jamming at his side, he knows that Soul R System is unstoppable.

Jesse Colgan (Vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, saxophone & drums) There is a Polaroid photo of Jesse in the studio that Soul R System and Jesse's dad's band share to rehearse. It was taken at KClinger's Tavern by owner John Clinger and shows Jesse sitting in his high chair at age 2, playing on his dad's keyboard, while his father set up the rest of the equipment for that night's gig. It seems, even at that early stage, that there was no doubt that this young man was going to have something to do with music in his life. It was just a year or two later that Jesse joined his dad on stage at campgrounds and fairs, singing family favorites and strumming his guitar or playing a drum set his aunt gave him. Coming from a strong family tradition of musicians and singers, he followed suit, beginning with piano and later guitar lessons with his dad. As he grew older, his musical ability grew with him in leaps and bounds as he started hearing and learning the music of the Beatles and other rock greats along with the classical, folk, blues and other styles of music that drifted through the rooms of the Colgan household. As he began jamming with his friend Riley and eventually Nick, he also explored writing some of his own songs on piano and guitar and took up the bass and saxophone to add to the list of instruments that he could play. Jesse looks forward to helping Soul R System reach it's fullest potential and continuing exploring musical creativity.

Nick Lawrence (Vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass & drums) Nick was born on a cold day in 1997. At the ripe age of 7 he discovered music on a $32 Casio keyboard. He started taking piano lessons and one day he came home and told his parents "I am running out of keys and think I need a bigger piano." With the raw talent he was displaying, his parents took him to a local music store to look at keyboards. After sitting down and playing "All my Loving" by the Beatles, his parents had no problem laying out the investment in a full 88 key electric piano. And so it began, and at the age of 10 he joined Riley and Jesse in their new band. Soon after joining the band Nick told his parents he wanted to buy a guitar. Shocked, his parents asked if he was giving up the piano. "Oh no" said Nick " Did you know that Paul McCartney played more than one instrument?" With that one statement Nick now had a guitar. Nick's talents begain to broaden and he eventually earned enough money to replace his "starter" guitar and purchase a bass and an acoustical guitar to add to his instrument collection. Now in his teens, Nick is ready to take on the challenges of a young musician with Riley and Jesse by his side.

Staff

Manager and Music Coordinator Production Manager Stage Manager Security Hospitality Web Master

Brian Colgan Ben Rager Steve Lawrence Alex Lawrence Shelly Rager, Sharon Lawrence Steve Lawrence

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