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The Remnants of Rock

“The best music from rock’s golden era 1959-1969”

Rock and Roll was born in the late 1950s, and by the end of the 1960s, the music had produced such legends as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Motown and the Memphis sound. The consensus among historians is that the greatest popular music of all time was created during this ten-year period. Unquestionably, the music defined a generation and continues to be embraced by younger generations. For example, The Beatles sold approximately 70 million albums between 1963-69, but have since sold over 2.3 billion albums.

The St. James Group formed in 1968 in the middle of this historic era and performed professionally until 1978. The original members all grew up within walking-distance of each other in the small town of Morrilton, Arkansas. The band shared the stage with some of the biggest artists of the 1970s and performed on college campuses from New Orleans to Chicago and all points in between. They also engaged in recording projects for United Artists and Mercury Records. The group reunited in 2003 and quickly developed a large and loyal following. Unfortunately, The St. James Group quit preforming after the unexpected death of Chuck Gordon, the band’s original keyboard player. The Remnants (of Rock) is now the musical legacy of The St. James Group. www.TheStJamesGroup.com

The Remnants of Rock is composed of original band members that started out together in 1968, with the addition of the current keyboard player. The band’s goal is to successfully recreate the music of the 1960s as authentically as possible. Imagine walking into the student union for the homecoming dance on any college campus during the years 1965-1969 and hearing the best dance band you’ve ever heard! Close your eyes and think back, because this is the performance The Remnants will deliver. The band plays only the top hits from 1959-1969 – which is often called the sweet spot of the era.

Rick Calhoun – Rick founded The St. James Group and continues the musical legacy with The Remnants. Rick is a guitarist and vocalist and also performs with Governor Mike Huckabee’s band “Capitol Offense.” Rick is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and is a songwriter, arranger, and producer. He has worked in the studio with Grand Ole Opry star, Marty Stuart, Grammy Award winning producers Ron Capone (Booker T. & The MGs, Isaac Hayes, etc.) and legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section member and producer, Barry Beckett (Kenny Chesney, Bob Dylan, Dire Straits, etc.)

Mark Calhoun – Mark is also an original member of The St. James Group, as well as Rick’s brother. Mark plays bass guitar and covers back-up vocals. In addition to being a good musician, he is also a talented sound engineer and spent many years on the road with such chart-topping artists as Alabama, Kris Kristofferson, Olivia Newton-John, Ronnie Milsap, Mickey Gilley, Styx, and Willie Nelson – just to name a few. He currently operates his own recording studio. www.WyeMountainRecordingStudios.com

Johnny Bradley – Johnny is an original member of The St. James Group and has spent a lifetime as one of the best drummers around. He has often been compared to Ringo Starr because of his solid, yet driving performance and played drums for a number of successful groups. Johnny has a great voice and covers many of the songs in the group’s classic collection.

Mike Mitchell – Mike is the original singer of The St. James Group and covers lead vocals and trumpet for the new group. Mike has an excellent voice with a full dynamic range and performs outstanding versions of classic Motown & Memphis soul songs. He spent years as a featured vocalist with various church choirs and has performed solo.

Tommy France – Tommy spent many years in Nashville, TN and Branson, MO as an arranger, piano player, and band leader for such artists as The Platters and various combinations of gospel greats The Happy Goodman Family. His accompaniment credits include many top names, including Bill Medley (The Righteous Brothers). He was the musical director and co-producer for “50’s At The Hop” which ran successfully on the theater strip in Branson, MO for over twenty years and won many awards including “Best New Show of the Year.” Tommy’s fingers are loaded with talent and his arrangements make the songs from the 1960s come alive. www.bransonshows.com/articles/50sAtTheHopinBransonMO.htm

Danny Smith – Danny is the only nonperforming member of the group, but he is incredibly important to the overall mix. Danny grew up with the other members of The St. James Group and was part of the band’s heyday. As a professional audio engineer, he has extremely gifted ears and has traveled the country with such artists as Alice Cooper, Dolly Parton, Steve Martin, Allman Brothers, Jimmy Buffet, and Willie Nelson. Dan is currently the head audio engineer at Verizon Arena in Little Rock and has worked with every artist that has performed at the 18,000-seat facility including Sir Paul McCartney recently. Danny is also a gifted writer and his first novel, Storykeeper, won the “Best Indie Book Award” for 2013.