Rock the Vote for Risky Business Band

Every once in a great while, I stop for a moment and realize that the world doesn’t revolve around me. As much as it might seem to, I’m occasionally reminded that there are other notable folks out there that deserve more than just a small blurb at the end of whatever diatribe I’ve composed each week. So without further ado, may I please have a moment of your time to raise your awareness of Hanover’s incredibly talented Risky Business Band?

Risky Business Band (RBB) is comprised of area high school students: Hanover High Seniors Tyler Cheo and Alex Sennett, HHS Junior Myles Sweeney, Ben Shirley of Beverly and fill-in member Bob Summers of Scituate. Committed to creating musical fusion, these musicians joined forces in 2011 and have since created a steadily increasing buzz throughout the South Shore and Boston area. Each member has a love and respect for music that translates in their music and on stage.  

I was fortunate enough to see three of these young men perform on Friday night at the Friends of Hanover Music fundraiser, “Aloha Hanover”. The evening featured performances from groups representing each of the Hanover schools. I attended the event in order to see my 8^th grader perform with the Hanover Middle School Jazz Band.  However, I stayed right to the end in order to enjoy music from the Middle School’s Performance troop and Hanover High’s VOX choir, Mad-Jazz Choir, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Combo and Jazz Ensemble.  To sit in the Cushing Center with your eyes closed, you would not think that you were listening to high school-aged musicians.  And three of the most talented performers from that evening comprise the heart of the Risky Business Band.

I’ve kept up with RBB through Facebook friends, so I knew that they have performed not once but twice on WATD radio’s “Almost Famous” program.   I knew that they have been featured at the Palladium in Worcester and the Orpheum Theater in Foxboro.  I was impressed to learn that they won the 2011 Marshfield Fair Battle of the Bands (under their former name Political Extinction) and that they took Top band at the Music on Up Showcase at the Hard Rock Café in Boston.

What I didn’t know was how much Risky Business Band has given back to their community.  Despite their busy schedule playing in a variety of local clubs and private parties, the boys have donated their time to several worthy organizations and causes including The Alzheimer's Association; Friendship Home, an organization committed to enriching the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities; South Shore YMCA; Friends of Jaclyn, a non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families; Captain Lew's Crew, an organization that provides opportunities in sports to athletes in need; and their newest cause, The Cancer Support Community-Massachusetts South Shore, which provides free emotional support programs for people who are living with cancer and their loved ones.  The

Organization will host a walk at Wompatuck on April 29 at which the boys will perform.

These young men have devoted their time and their music to help these organizations and their community.  And now I think it’s time that their community return the favor by helping them.  

Risky Business Band is competing in Hard Rock Rising 2012, a global battle of the bands, taking place online and in 86 participating Hard Rock locations around the world. Hard Rock Rising lets music fans around the globe download free tracks from emerging acts. The nine bands (minimum) with the most votes in Boston will earn the opportunity to perform live in a battle of the bands at The Hard Rock Café- Boston. One band will be crowned the regional winner of Boston and move on to compete globally for a chance to open Hard Rock Calling 2012 in London's Hyde Park.  The download contest is hosted on Facebook and voting is open until February 5.

How can you help Risky Business Band get to London?  The first step is to search for the Hard Rock Rising 2012 page on Facebook and “like” them.   Then follow the steps to get to United States and then Boston.  Download the single “Call Me A Fool” by Risky Business Band.  An easy way to find RBB amongst the contenders is to sort the bands by the number of downloads.  As I type this, Risky Business Band is in first place.   Let’s keep it that way.  Each download counts as a "vote" for the band. When you’ve received your download, encourage all your family, friends, co-workers and other Facebook acquaintances to vote for RBB as well.  (You can “like” Risky Business Band on Facebook as well).

It’s one thing to say, “I knew that band before they were famous”, it’s quite another to be able to say, “I helped that band become famous.”  Take a few minutes to visit Facebook and give yourself that rare treat of helping make someone else’s dream come true.

Good luck boys!