Rocket Club

Last updated
Rocket Club
Origin Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
Genres Country
Years active2008-present
LabelsFeather Moon/Rocket Club
Members Chris Hawkey
Matt Kirkwold
Brian Kroening
Joel Sayles
Don Smithmier
Walter Powell

Rocket Club is an American country music band composed of Joel Sayles (bass, vocals), Brian Kroening (guitars), Don Smithmier (vocals, keyboards), Chris Hawkey (vocals), Matt Kirkwold (guitars), and Walter Powell (drums). [1] [2]

Contents

History

The band's first national single, "One More Day," was written by Joel Sayles, Don Smithmier, and Twin Cities native Mark Lacek after Lacek's daughter died in the womb. [3] The song got viral exposure via Facebook and YouTube, as well as airplay on Minneapolis radio station KEEY-FM. It is also included on a multi-artist album entitled Hope Rocks Volume II, the benefits of which go to a nonprofit organization that Mark and his wife, Susan, founded. [4] "One More Day" debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts dated for the week of November 21, 2009. [5]

The band's second single, "One Thing Beautiful," written by Joel Sayles and Don Smithmier, spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts beginning July 12, 2010.

Rocket Club's debut self-titled CD was released in 2008. Their second record, American Serenade, was released in October 2010.

In 2010, the band coined the term "North Country" to describe its more guitar oriented, non-Southern form of country music. They later turned the concept into a northern anthem with the release of their 3rd single, "North Country," which debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs on June 14, 2011. An album of the same name was released in 2012. [6]

The band released its fourth studio album on March 13, 2014, titled Lucky and produced by Joel Sayles. The album was named after the project that created it. In 2013, the band completed a project dubbed "Lucky 13" in which it wrote, recorded and released one new song each month for a year. [7]

After a nearly 8-year hiatus, the band released the single, “Easy,” in February 2022. This collaboration led to a full reunion and the release of their fifth album, “Come On Home” in 2023.

Other information

Smithmier is a Minnesota tech entrepreneur. [8] [9]

Guitarist Luke Kramer was a band member from 2011 to 2014 and performed on the “North Country” and “Lucky” albums. Billy Thommes (drums) was a founding band member and performed all every album. Founding guitarist Matt Kirkwold re-joined the band in 2022. Walter Powell (drums) joined the band in 2023.

Discography

Albums

TitleDetails
Rocket Club
  • Release date: October 21, 2008
  • Label: Feather Moon
American Serenade
  • Release date: October 1, 2010
  • Label: Feather Moon
North Country
  • Release date: April 9, 2012
  • Label: Feather Moon
Lucky
  • Release date: March 13, 2014
  • Label: Feather Moon
Come On Home
  • Release date: February 1st, 2023
  • Label: Feather Moon

Singles

YearSinglePeak positionsAlbum
US Country [10]
2009"One More Day"49American Serenade
2010"One Thing Beautiful"51
2011"North Country"52North Country

Music videos

YearVideo
2009"One More Day"
2011"North Country"
2012"Four Letter World"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Reverend Horton Heat</span> American psychobilly trio

The Reverend Horton Heat is the stage name of American musician James C. Heath as well as the name of his Dallas, Texas-based psychobilly trio. Heath is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. A Prick magazine reviewer called Heath the "godfather of modern rockabilly and psychobilly".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Train (band)</span> American rock band

Train is an American pop rock band from San Francisco that was formed in 1993. Since 2024, the band consists of Pat Monahan, Taylor Locke, Hector Maldonado, Jerry Becker, and Matt Musty (drums).

BR549 was an American country rock band founded in 1993. It originally consisted of Gary Bennett, Don Herron, "Smilin'" Jay McDowell, Chuck Mead, and "Hawk" Shaw Wilson. Bennett and McDowell left the band in 2001, with Chris Scruggs and Geoff Firebaugh respectively replacing them. Both Firebaugh and Scruggs later left the band as well; Mark Miller has become the band's third bassist. The name of the band is taken from a mangled phone number from Hee Haw comedian Junior Samples' car salesman skit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Tell You Why</span> 1980 single by Eagles

"I Can't Tell You Why" is a song by the American rock band Eagles that appeared on their 1979 album The Long Run. It was written by band members Timothy B. Schmit, Glenn Frey and Don Henley. Recorded in March 1978, it was the first song finished for the album and the first Eagles song to feature Schmit on lead vocals. Released as a single in February 1980, it became a Billboard top 10 hit in April, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was the group's last top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twistin' the Night Away</span> 1962 single by Sam Cooke

"Twistin' the Night Away" is a song written and recorded by Sam Cooke. It was recorded on 18 December 1961 and released as a single in 1962. It became very popular, charting in the top ten of both the Billboard Hot 100 (#9) and Billboard's R&B chart (#1). "Twistin' the Night Away" was successful overseas as well, peaking at #6 on the UK Singles Chart.

Mark McGuinn is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 2001 with the single "Mrs. Steven Rudy", a Top 10 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. It was the first of three singles from his first album Mark McGuinn, which was released in 2001 on the independent VFR Records label. The label was closed in 2002, and McGuinn did not a record another album until One Man's Crazy in 2006, released on Blue Flamingo Records. He has not recorded an album since then.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartache Tonight</span> 1979 single by Eagles

"Heartache Tonight" is a song written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bob Seger and J. D. Souther, recorded by the Eagles and features Glenn Frey on lead vocals. The track was included on their album The Long Run and released as a single in 1979. It reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in November of that year and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America representing one million copies sold. It was the Eagles' final chart-topping song on the Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take It Easy</span> 1972 single by the Eagles

"Take It Easy" is the debut single by the American rock band Eagles, written by Jackson Browne and Eagles band member Glenn Frey, who also provides lead vocals. It was released on May 1, 1972, and peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on July 22, 1972. It was also the opening track of the band's eponymous debut album and has become one of their signature songs, included on all of their live and compilation albums. It is listed as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home Sweet Home (Mötley Crüe song)</span> 1985 single by Mötley Crüe

"Home Sweet Home" is a power ballad by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. It was originally released in 1985 on the album Theatre of Pain, and again in 1991 for the Decade of Decadence 81-91 compilation album. It has been covered by several artists, most notably country singer Carrie Underwood, who released her version as a single in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Long Run (song)</span> 1979 song by The Eagles

"The Long Run" is a song written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey and recorded by the Eagles. The sound of the song is viewed as a tribute to the Stax / Memphis rhythm and blues sound. It was the title track of their album The Long Run and was released as a single in November 1979. It reached No. 8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in early 1980. It was the second of three singles released from The Long Run album, preceded by "Heartache Tonight," which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1979, and followed by "I Can't Tell You Why," which also reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, in the spring of 1980.

"The Lucky One" is a song recorded by American country music singer Faith Hill. It was released on February 13, 2006, by Warner Bros. Nashville as the third single from her sixth studio album: Fireflies (2005). The song was written by the Warren Brothers and Jay Joyce, and produced by Hill and frequent collaborator Byron Gallimore. Lyrically, "The Lucky One" is about how even if Hill may not have luxuries or a good day, she is "the lucky one" because she has her partner by her side.

"Hallelujah I Love Her So" is a single by American musician Ray Charles. The rhythm and blues song was written and released by Charles in 1956 on the Atlantic label, and in 1957 it was included on his self-titled debut LP, also released on Atlantic. The song peaked at number five on the Billboard R&B chart. It is loosely based on 'Get It Over Baby' by Ike Turner (1953).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caught Up in You</span> 1982 single by 38 Special

"Caught Up in You" is a song by American Southern rock band 38 Special. It's the first single released from their 1982 studio album, Special Forces and their first #1 on the US Billboard Top Tracks rock chart. It became one of the band's two top-ten pop hits, reaching #10 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Their other Top 10 single, "Second Chance", reached #6 in 1989. The song also went Top 10 in Canada, peaking at #9 on the RPM Singles chart. Don Barnes sang lead vocals on the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Will I Be Loved (song)</span> 1960 single by the Everly Brothers

"When Will I Be Loved" is a popular song written by Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers, who had a US top-ten hit with it in 1960. Linda Ronstadt covered the song in 1975, and her version was an even bigger hit in the US, peaking at No. 2. Vince Gill also covered it in 1994 on the soundtrack of the film 8 Seconds.

<i>The Foundation</i> (Zac Brown Band album) 2008 studio album by Zac Brown Band

The Foundation is the first major-label studio album by American country music band Zac Brown Band. It was released on November 18, 2008. Originally slated for release on the Home Grown label and Big Picture Records, the album is distributed by Atlantic Nashville in association with those two labels. The financing for the album was provided by Atlanta, GA entrepreneur Braden Copeland through his investment company Braden Copeland Ventures, LLC. On December 2, 2009, the album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Country Album. and also earned the band the Grammy Award for Best New Artist on January 31. The album also has been nominated for the 2010 Academy of Country Music Awards "Album of the Year" award. As of September 2015, the album has sold 3.4 million copies in the US. It is the only album to feature Joel Williams, who left the band prior to its release.

<i>X</i> (Trace Adkins album) 2008 studio album by Trace Adkins

X is the eighth studio album by American country music artist Trace Adkins. The album's name is the Roman numeral for ten, as counting his two Greatest Hits packages it is his tenth album overall. X was released November 25, 2008, on Capitol Records Nashville. The album includes the singles "Muddy Water", "Marry for Money", and "All I Ask For Anymore", all of which have charted in the Top 40 on Hot Country Songs, with the latter two becoming Top 20 hits.

<i>Love Travels</i> 1997 studio album by Kathy Mattea

Love Travels is the tenth studio album by American country music artist, Kathy Mattea. It was released on February 4, 1997, via Mercury Records Nashville. The disc contained a total of 11 tracks that blended a mixture of different musical styles. Love Travels spawned four singles, two of which made the North American country songs charts: "455 Rocket" and the title track. The album itself reached the top 20 of the American country albums chart and was reviewed positively by critics.

"Last Date" is a 1960 instrumental written and performed by Floyd Cramer. It exemplifies the "slip note" style of piano playing that Cramer made popular. It peaked at number 11 on the country chart and at number two on the Hot 100 behind "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Elvis Presley. Cramer's recording inspired a number of successful cover versions, including a vocal adaptation by Conway Twitty.

"Making Believe" is a country music song written by Jimmy Work. Kitty Wells recorded a chart-topping version in 1955. The song is on many lists of all-time greatest country music songs and has been covered by scores of artists over the past fifty years, including Thorleifs, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Don Gibson, Roy Acuff, Lefty Frizzell, Wanda Jackson, Connie Francis, Ray Charles, Anita Carter, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard, The Kendalls, Ernest Tubb, Skeeter Davis, The Haden Triplets, Social Distortion and Volbeat. The song is occasionally called "Makin' Believe".

"455 Rocket" is a song written by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and recorded by American country music artist Kathy Mattea. It was released in January 1997 as the first single from the album Love Travels. The song reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

References

  1. "Biography". Rocket Club official website. Archived from the original on 2010-01-30. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  2. Gueningsman, Ryan (2012) "Bands booked, plans underway for Delano’s Fourth of July ‘12", Spartanburg Herald-Journal, February 20, 2012. RetrievedJuly 8, 2014.
  3. Albertoni, Rich (2010) "Onetime Madison rockers Rocket Club land on the country chart", Isthmus, March 25, 2010. RetrievedJuly 8, 2014.
  4. Molly Guthrey Millett (2009-10-09). "Father's ode to stillborn daughter now a song to comfort the grieving". TwinCities.com. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  5. Edward Morris (2009-11-14). "Carrie Underwood Has the Week's Top Album and Song". CMT.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  6. Gilbertson, Jon M. (2012) "CD Reviews: Rocket Club; Waka Flocka Flame; Joe Jackson; Maybach Music Group", Journal Sentinel, June 26, 2012. RetrievedJuly 8, 2014.
  7. "Rocket Club News". rocketclub.info. Archived from the original on December 22, 2008. Retrieved 2014-03-14.
  8. Dan Emerson (2001-10-01). "Smithmier and His Start Ups". Minnesota Business Magazine. Archived from the original on 2014-03-17. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  9. Bruch, Michelle (2011) "Entrepreneur Don Smithmier: They told him to 'focus,' and luckily, he didn't listen", MinnPost, February 24, 2011. RetrievedJuly 8, 2014.
  10. "Awards", Allmusic. RetrievedJuly 8, 2014.