Rocking To a Rodeo Wreck

Before the Bellamy Brothers took the stage to headline the Carbon County Fair on August 8, Jared Rogerson and the Rodeo Wreck opened for the legendary country duo.

Fans danced and clapped to the beat of the music as Rogerson and the Rodeo Wreck cranked up their guitars, rolled the drums, and got the crowd on their feet.

“There is nothing more incredible than being here in front of a bunch of fans of the West and rural life,” Rogerson said. “To be able to play my style of Wyoming Cowboy Country music, Rodeo Rock and to open up for Bellamy Brothers—who I have been a fan of for many years—is such an amazing experience.”

Rogerson said he was excited to find out his band had been chosen as the opening act. He said, at first, he had no idea which performer his band would be opening for. When Rogerson got word it would be the Bellamy Brothers, he said he was excited.

“I have been talking to the Carbon County Fair for years to get booked for a slot and this often happens with gigs,” Rogerson said. “The Fair found the right opportunity for us and thought we would be a great fit for The Bellamy Brothers. They did not tell me who the headliner was at first but I knew it would be someone great. When our band found out we would be opening for The Bellamy Brothers, I was elated because these guys are living legends.”

Rogerson said he has been interested in music since he was a kid and always had a creative mind when writing songs.

“I started writing songs when I was just a little kid,” Rogerson said. “I never wrote them down because it was always in my blood to make stuff up and I have always loved music. It eventually got to the point when I got older I started writing my songs down and I realized I always had something to say. This is how I got into the music business. Not necessarily to entertain, although it was always in the back of my mind. It was the songwriting that spurred me on.”

Rogerson used to compete in rodeos until he got into a wreck. He said his first music gig started in a strange coffee shop in Pinedale, Wyoming. Rogerson said the coffee shop had an interesting story about how his music career became an amazing adventure.

“There was no place to play except for this hippie coffee shop but I just wanted to play and I didn't care. When I went down there I saw gold records of the Grateful Dead on the wall behind me as I sat there and played my Cowboy songs,” said Rogerson. “This is how I got started and my first-ever song was ‘Peace, Love, and Horses’ which mentions the Grateful Dead and Chris LeDoux”

Rogerson said his rodeo wreck is how his band got the name. He said the name fit perfectly.

“It was one last rodeo wreck which led to a switch in dreams,” Rogerson said. “I quit chasing the rodeo dream and timing is everything. It was not the worst wreck I ever had but the timing was right to pursue another dream.

Rogerson said he has an amazing band he is proud to call friends and bandmates.

“The guys in my band are all from various parts of Wyoming,” Rogerson said. “When we get together we jump into the van and tour. It has taken years to put these guys together and one acquaintance led to another, eventually ending up with a solid group of guys who love to travel, hang out, and make music together.”

Rogerson said his bass player, Andy Calder, does a great job in helping run the day-to-day operations each time the band is on tour.

“Andy has played every style of music for a long time,” Rogerson said. “Not only does he play bass, he is a production and sound guy who knows all the ins and outs of putting a show together. He has been a vital component of the show, not just as a bass player, but as my production manager.”

Rogerson met his drummer, Ryan Bell, from a friend. Bell later introduced guitarist Robert Brackel to Rogerson. According to Rogerson, he knew Bell and Brackel were a perfect fit for his band when they first played music together.

“I met Ryan from a sound engineer friend, " Rogerson said. “Ryan and Robert played in shows together with another band. We started hooking up together and liked the music we were playing. Even though we live 100 miles apart from each other, we play together at shows more than we have rehearsals.”

Calder is from Wilson and Bell and Brackel are both from Casper. Rogerson is originally from Utah but has lived in Pinedale for quite some time. Even though he is not a Wyoming native, Rogerson said the town of Pinedale has accepted him as one of their own.

“I have been living in Pinedale for a little over 20 years, “ Rogerson said. “I have never lived in a place that felt more like home than Pinedale. I just love the mountains, horses, and fishing in my town. This is something I grew up with and it fits me like a glove.”