Ron "The Harp" Mendez
The Ron Mendez Band/Solo

Reviewed by Bill Hayes Thunder Press

It's always refreshing to see an artist who is truly dedicated to what he does. One who doesn't check to see which way the ol' breeze is shifting before making decisions and commitment. One who is loyal to his roots. That is Ron Mendez. Just a quick look at Ron's website (www.dolphinrocks.com) and you get a very comfortable feeling, like slipping through the front door of your favorite neighborhood bar. Everything around you is right. There is a central theme and a friendly atmosphere. I can almost hear Toby Keith in the background..."I love this bar"... but in this case the tunes that are the epi-center of his website are from a variety of other greats in the rock and blues field, and that includes Ron himself. Everything about Mendez epitomizes that down-to-earth, no BS biker attitude. He is involved in event promotions, local blues joints, and charity giveaways. His website features booze, barbecue, bikes, rock 'n' roll, roadhouse and just about everything else that makes you proud to be an American and a part of the motorcycling community. And the guy can play the harp! No, not that kind of harp! The harmonica... the blues harp... the Mississippi saxophone! "To Hell and Back" is Ron's latest CD, recorded live at Long Meadow Park in Sinclairville, New York. With a band consisting of Ron on vocals, harp and guitar, Mike McCean on bass, Jim Prime on lead, and drummer Rick Dranger, they come up with a sound that Ron describes as "a Southern blues/rock reminiscent of the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Outlaws and the Marshall Tucker Band." I agree. The disc is definitely from a fine "old school" tradition... (the school that whoever picked Elton John to play at the Harley 100th last year should have attended, but I digress). This is the type of stuff that has driven this lifestyle for two generations now-straight ahead and genuine. And it should be. Ron has shared the stage with the likes of David Crosby, The Band and Gregg Allman. The other thing that makes what Ron does so inspiring to me is that because he's headquartered in Buffalo, New York, his work bridges a bit of a social gap. We here on the West Coast-especiall in the southwest-begin to fell that the entire biker culture is centered here, where we can ride in warm, cruisin' comfort virtually 365 days a year. Other than Laconia, the northern section of the U.S.A. is not often on our spoiled radar screens. But seeing Ron's website, hearing his music, and knowing his dedication to "keepin' this two-wheeled faith" alive... all of this re-establishes the scope of this brotherhood. "To Hell and Back"... or from sea to shining sea... again it's a comfortable feeling to know that wherever we may ride our bond stay strong and true. A thanks to Ron Mendez for his music... and for his devotion to the things that make us who we are...

Location: Smith Mills near Buffalo N.Y.

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