The Rogues: Band Biography 1985-present

In 1985, as the story continues, Doctor Ron Harrell (a prominent Lake Wales Chiropractor) was with a patient, when his wife\receptionist came in and whispered that there was an old grey-headed guy in the lobby asking to see him. She said it must be someone he knew long ago because he was asking to see Ronnie, a name he hadn't used since high school. When Dr. Ron made his way to the lobby, a somewhat older Willie Metts said, "We got a gig, Ronnie -- come on!".

After almost 20 years of musical retirement, three of the original Canadian Rogues were regrouping the band at the insistance of a Lakeland High School class reunion committee. The job was such an overwhelming success that the Canadian Rogues were once again deluged with calls to play other gigs. It became quickly apparent that maybe they should get more serious about the reformation of the band, and soon, the second generation Canadian Rogues was born. This new group consisted of Willie Metts (vocals), Ronnie Harrell (vocals and bass), Dane Streets (guitar), Johnny Baldwin (drums), Richard Conine (saxophone), and Gene Palm (keyboards). The band played in this configuration until 1989, when Jerry Lanier took over the job of keyboards and bass, and Art Casey became the drummer.

Richard Conine - Ron Harrell - Dane Streets - Willie Metts - Jesse Chambers - Carl Chambers - Bob Bostanche - Jerry Lanier

L->R Front: Dane Streets - Richard Conine - Willie Metts Back: Carl Chambers - Jesse Chambers - Bobby Bostanche - Jerry Lanier NOT PICTURED: Ronnie Harrell

In late 1991, Jesse Chambers (who had only recently retired from playing on the road and in the studio with country superstar Ricky Skaggs) was brought in on the bass, and soon after that, Bobby Bostanche came on-board as the drummer. In 1992, former Bellamy Brothers guitarist, Carl Chambers, joined the group on lead guitar. The Chambers cousins (Jesse and Carl) had played with Willie Metts, during the early and mid 70s, in the groups "Raintree County" and "Dizzy Rambler". During the 60's the cousins had played with one of the Canadian Rogues main local competitors, "Ron & The Starfires", from nearby Auburndale, FL.

The Canadian Rogues, now an eight piece band, enjoyed several years of semi-regular, mostly weekend, one-nighters covering much of Central and Southwest Florida. Willie, though not quite as animated as in his younger years, was still quite capable of captivating his audience with soulful renditions of many of the same tunes he had performed some twenty years before. When playing in the Lakeland area, fans would still flock to hear Willie sing. I think no one would deny that Willie Metts pretty much carried the Canadian Rogues during this time.

Unfortunately, in 1996, while on vacation in South Florida, Willie Metts died of a sudden heart attack and left the band without those soulful vocals that had been their trademark from the very beginning. Without a continuing sense of musical direction, the group went through a difficult period of adjustment. It took the band almost 6 years to become comfortable with their new persona, but Dane and Ronnie were determined to keep the Canadian Rogues a working entity.

L->R: Carl Chambers - Ronnie Harrell - Dane Streets - Jerry Lanier FRONT: Rodney Price

In early 2001, "Canadian" was dropped from the band's name and Carl Chambers rejoined the "Rogues" as music director, having left the group several months before. Bobby Bostanche had to leave the band because of health problems and Rodney Price joined the Rogues as drummer. Rodney had played on the road and in the studio with the Bellamy Brothers Band in the late 70s and the Ricky Skaggs band in the early 80s. A seasoned player, Rodney would bring the significant change necessary to break the band free from it's past mind set of simply being the vehicle for Willie Metts distinctive vocals. The band went into serious rehearsals and the song list was changed to suit the voice, style and talents of Ronnie Harrell and more emphasis was put on arrangements and harmonies. The song list was confined (with some exceptions) to the late 50's, 60's, and early 70's and the problem became - "which ones do we do?" - there are so many great songs. Although the band had recorded and released several singles during the 60s, the group had never made an album until the release of of the CD, "Still Rockin'", in August of 2001. Produced by Carl Chambers, the CD is a collection of 50's, 60's and 70's material that the group currently uses in their performances.

In 2002, Donnie Helms (also a former member of the Bellamy Brothers band), took over the job of bassist and completed the rebuilding of the rhythm section.

The newest member of the Rogues is vocalist, Ashley Metts, the daughter of the late Willie Metts. Ashley brings a fresh and youthful exuberance to the group and also adds that touch of R&B that her father once brought to the band. Ashley joined the Rogues in late 2006.

Today, the Rogues are a tight, well rehearsed and professional organization who are equally at home on the concert stage, at a corporate party, a class reunion, sock hop or a street dance. They have a proven popularity in the North Polk County, Florida area and make new friends and fans everywhere they play. Their play list consists of the classic hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s with just a touch of the eclectic. When the occasion warrants -- The Rogues do a dynamic "Tribute to Elvis" show featuring the electrifying Ron Harrell and occasionally a couple of original hit songs written and performed by Carl Chambers.

Catch 'em if you can! You won't be sorry.

• Willie Metts Tribute Video (1996)
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