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Support Law Rocks Tour

Thursday, April 27, 2023
White Oak Music Hall
$124,648 in total fundraising

Judges’ Choice Award Winner: DeSoto Rose for Baker Ripley

Overall Winner and Hustle and Heart Award: Pro Hac Vice rocking for Chance for Hope Foundation

Thank you, Houston! The 3rd Annual Law Rocks Houston was a night to remember, with five amazing bands competing for the title of the best legal rockers in the city. The crowd was buzzing with anticipation as the first band, Good Dolly, took to the stage.

Good Dolly kicked off the night with a garage-band energy, featuring a mix of rock covers and originals. The audience loved all their songs, but the highlight was an impressive cover of Sympathy for The Devil that had the crowd singing along.

Up next were The Contract Killers, a band with a more energetic sound, they blended a set of alternative rock, punk and hip hop songs. They brought a huge group of fans and the crowd all danced along to hits by the Beastie Boys and more.

Reigning champs, Pro Hac Vice, were next. Taking the stage with a giant inflatable mixed-tape, the audience knew they were in for some fun. Channeling the best of the 80s, they had the crowd bouncing along to songs like Always Something There to Remind Me and a very entertaining hip-hop medley of Just a Friend, Jump Around and Mo Money, Mo Problems.

DeSoto Rose took the stage next, delivering a set of soulful rock songs with a folk song influence. Covers of songs by Fleetwood Mac, The Cranberries, and the Lumineers took on a new light with the addition of a banjo and fiddler player matched with gorgeous vocal harmonies. Their highlight was during the bass-riff in The Chain. The slow build had the audience cheering and the energy was intense.

Closing out the night was JarFly. Channeling the drama of rock legends like Alice Cooper, the lead singer dressed the part with a red-patterned blazer, spiked-leather mask and was book-ended by two costumed dancers. Performing songs like 18, by Alice Cooper and God Save the Queen by Motorhead. They captivated the audience and left them chanting for more.

In the end, the judges had a tough decision to make, but ultimately crowned DeSoto Rose as the Judges’ Choice Award winner. Pro Hac Vice dominated in two categories, taking home the Overall Win and the new Heart & Hustle award with more than 130 people donating to their cause. All five bands delivered amazing performances, proving that the Houston and the legal community has some serious rock talent. It was a night of great music, camaraderie, and fun, and we can't wait to see what next year's event has in store.

A special shout out to our host, Alexander Ansari, and our amazing Rock Judges: Al Staehely, Foster Johnson, Michael Mikulka, and Evelyn Rubio. Thanks to the White Oak Music Hall team for all their support and a final thank you to all the talented bands and their fans for the amazing energy they brought and for making the night so special.

We couldn’t have pulled this off without our amazing sponsors: Locke Lord; Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld; Secretariat; Latham & Watkins; Godzina Law Firm; Gibbs & Bruns; Asch Building; Texas Avenue BnB; Vinson & Elkins; Gulfstream Legal Group; Consilio; Rockstar Real Estate Group; and McGuireWoods.

OUR SPONSORS ROCK!

Featured

The Contract Killers

Featuring legal talent from Latham & Watkins LLP
Rocking for Belong Kitchen

The Contract Killers are back for Law Rocks 2023, and are again representing Latham & Watkins LLP and Belong Kitchen, a neighborhood grab-n-go kitchen that employs adults with intellectual and developmental differences. The Contract Killers’ 2022 world tour sold out venues from White Oak Music Hall to The Cowboy Surfer and their fans simply cannot get enough of their intriguing sound, dynamic stage presence and boyishly handsome good looks. The Contract Killers are Tim Fenn (guitar, bass, vocals), Craig Kornreich (drums), Bryan Ryan (guitar, bass, vocals), Ben Marek (vocals, keys), Jordan Hudson (bass, guitar) and Michael King (guitar, vocals).

DeSoto Rose

Featuring legal talent from Godzina Law Firm, PLLC and Gibbs & Bruns, LLP
Rocking for Baker Ripley

Since 2020, DeSoto Rose has become one of Houston's favorite cover bands performing Americana, Indie, Folk Rock, Alt Country and a few 90s throw-backs for good measure. Fans enjoy rocking out to their unique versions of songs we all know and love.

DeSoto Rose is: Heidi Kaim (lead vocals), Nick Karam (vocals, guitar, mandolin), Andy Bost (bass), Cameron Clark (keyboard, banjo), Bruce Godzina (drums), Frans Sluiter (guitar), and Mead Turner (vocals, fiddle). Featuring Ayesha Najam as a guest vocalist.

www.desotorose.com
Instagram

Good Dolly

Featuring legal talent from McGuireWoods
Rocking for Crime Stoppers of Houston

Good Dolly is an alt-rock band from Houston, Texas formed in 2021, composed of working professionals who fantasize about quitting their day jobs and chasing rock stardom on the open road.

Instagram

JarFly

Featuring legal talent from Godzina Law Firm PLLC and Thomas Craig Construction
Rocking for Houston Food Bank

JarFly is a band that seeks to deliver the ultimate classic rock experience; they have delivered on their promise through over decade on the Houston scene; with influences ranging from The Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin and David Bowie, they strive to tap into the zeitgeist of bygone days where heavy guitar, thundering bass, booming drums, and screaming vocals ruled the concert landscape; They come from the business world, but when rock o'clock comes around, they are all about the business of rocking the world. During the day, they toil at the behest of RockStar Realty, Thomas Craig Construction, Godzina Law Firm, PLLC, and TriCon Construction, but at night, the darkness unfolds to find them ready for battle, able and willing to take on all challengers; armed with an arsenal of heavy riffs and a never-say-die attitude, a performance from JarFly transcends a polite listening experience and, instead, becomes a multi-sensory pilgrimage; a journey if you will, through the various iterations of rock from a time when rock ruled the world; never failing to deliver, JarFly looks forward to bringing their unique brand of music to the White Oak stage; in cooperation with the Houston Food Bank, the night will be electrified and no one will leave the same as when they came to the venue. JarFly consists of Paul Gomberg on vocals, Tristan Berlanga on guitar, Elliot Alfred on bass, and Bruce Godzina on drums; with a plethora of legal and business acumen, JarFly seeks to shed themselves of the strictures of the work-a-day world and fly amongst the starts in the pursuit of rock glory. Will they be successful? Only you can answer that question. And whatever the question, the answer is rock'n'roll....

Soundcloud

Pro Hac Vice

Featuring legal talent from Akin; Locke Lord; The Law Office of Travis W. Earp; Enterprise Products Partners; The Friedkin Group; and Orrick
Rocking for Chance for Hope Foundation

Winners of both the overall event and the Judge’s Choice Award at the First and Second Annual Law Rocks Houston, Pro Hac Vice is reuniting to bring the hits from the most totally awesome era of music. It’s gonna be rad! For this year’s event, the band will once again be raising money for the Chance for Hope Foundation, a local charity providing support services for children with cancer and their families, and grant funding for pediatric cancer research. Featuring legal professionals from SIX separate organizations, Pro Hac Vice is: Charlie San Miguel (drums/percussion), Scott Davidson (lead vocals, synth, guitar), John Goodgame (guitar, vocals), Travis Earp (guitar, vocals), Mario Barrientos (bass, vocals), and special guest MCs Kurt Krolikowski and Andre Davison.

Check out the band’s YouTube channel HERE!

New for 2023, Law Rocks is awarding the Music Matters grant in each city to benefit a local organization that supports music education, particularly for underserved youth. The first Houston recipient of the Music Matters grant is Texas Music Project! Texas Music Project develops and produces positive life changing music education programs and experiences for disadvantaged youth.

Featured

Host - Alexander Ansari

Alexander Ansari is a first-generation American born in Houston, Texas. His father, a Muslim from Pakistan, and his mother, a Christian from Haiti raised him and his brother with a deep understanding that regardless of cultural background, humanity unites us all. Alexander learned from an early age that people have much more in common than they realize. Today, Alexander shares his message of unity through his personal “Philosophy of Diversity.” His diverse background includes sales, learning & development, marketing, executive coaching, and public speaking. He founded Stay Diverse Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes multiculturalism and diversity. He is passionate about live rock music and loves how it unites people around the world.

Rock Judge - Foster Johnson

Foster Johnson is a partner with Ahmad, Zavitsanos, and Mensing, PLLC. Prior to law school, Johnson was the co-founder and principal songwriter for the San Francisco based rock band, Vegas DeMilo. His songs have been featured in dozens of films and television shows including Clubhouse (CBS) "Precious"; Felicity (WB Network) "Acid King" and "Precious"; One Tree Hill (WB Network) "Higher" and "All My Life"; The Osbournes (MTV) "Teen Age Porn Star"; Skate (NBC) "Chemical Girl"; Just Deal (NBC) "Dusted" and "My Brilliant Career"; Pasadena (Fox) "Fall"; and the motion picture Scorched, featuring “Fall.”

Between 1997 and 2002, Johnson's band released three widely praised albums, received airplay at over sixty commercial rock stations across the U.S. (including LIVE 105 in San Francisco, KROQ in Los Angeles, and WXRK in New York), and toured extensively, including multiple appearances at such prestigious festivals as SXSW, NXNW, and CMJ. Their visibility prompted Billboard magazine to hail Vegas DeMilo as a band "on the verge of a national breakthrough" and Music Connection to name them one of "California's hottest unsigned acts." The band's third album, Motel California, released on LA indie Pinch Hit Records sold several thousand copies and was the most extensively licensed album in the history of the label. Currently, Johnson continues to record for film and television as well as producing and writing songs for other artists. Vegas DeMilo’s long-awaited fourth album, “Black Sheep Lounge,” is slated for release in September 2023.

Rock Judge - Michael Mikulka

Engineer, producer, and studio owner, Michael Mikulka has been fortunate to be able to do what he loves as his career, and do it successfully for over 36 years. Michael is a 30-year Grammy member/voter, has had his songs recorded by major label artists, and has earned 1 platinum and 3 gold records.

He ran his own successful music studio complex (recording, mastering, rehearsal, live sound) in the highly competitive Southern California music scene for over 20 years before relocating to Houston.

He is currently the owner of LUCKY RUN STUDIO, arguably the busiest and one of most prestigious recording studio facilities in the Houston area, where they have produced recordings for more than a dozen Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated artists, as well as countless unsigned acts, in and around Houston.

Michael has been fortunate to work with such artists (in California and Texas) as Ambrosia, Beck, Berlin, BB King Band, Bill Medley, Clark Sisters, Lady Gaga (Super Bowl Show), Leon Russell, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sting, Tiffany, Tito Jackson (Jackson 5), Toby Keith, and Willie Nelson.

Learn more at Lucky Run Studio’s website.

Rock Judge - Evelyn Rubio

Evelyn Rubio, blues singer and saxophonist, carries a theme in her heart and that theme relates to what she identifies with the idea that “The blues has no borders”. Born in Mexico (Neza City) and raised through her formative years in Mexico City, it may be surprising to learn that Evelyn actually began in show business at the early age of nine. Then just two short years later, at the age of eleven, Evelyn would be a regular on a children’s television show “My Little Stars”. By the age of fifteen Evelyn was now earning a nice living as a rock and pop singer with various established bands in and around Mexico City and then at the age of 19 she began learning the saxophone and writing songs as well. Then in 1999 Evelyn recorded and released her first album “Evelyn Automarginados” which is a wonderful funky blues collection of music. Next, for over a period of five years, Evelyn would devote her focus on music between a black tie orchestra and a rocking blues band named “Chivo Azul”, in Playa del Carmen. Next, in 2004, Evelyn would land the lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar, a Canadian production in Mexico, as Mary Magdalene. Shortly afterward Evelyn would emigrate to Houston, Texas and sign a multi-year album contract with the late, great Calvin Owens, a BB king band leader. Right after signing the agreement Mr. Owens would produce Evelyn’s second release, “La Mujer que Canta Blues”. Then it was right back into the studio for Evelyn’s current release, “Hombres” but unfortunately Mr. Owens passed and Evelyn continued to produce and finish the album along with Andy Bradley. In 2011 Evelyn became a member of The James Boogaloo Bolden Blues Band (the last BB king band leader) playing at festivals and went on to release an album in 2013 titled, “No News just The Blues”. Time moved forward and with the much anticipated release of “Hombres” the CD received the nomination for The Jimi Awards as International Release of the year 2015 and then on March 8th 2016 due to an overwhelming number of spins by Disc Jockeys of “Hombres” nationwide Evelyn moved to number 1, number 3, and number 6 respectively – charting on the internationally recognized Billboard Magazine. She charted at #1 Latin Pop Album – #3 Latin Album – and #6 Blues Album.

In 2022, Evelyn was invited to perform at The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in Washington DC and made her debut on the big screen with her role of Aria in the short film "Ocean Child". Evelyn is recording her fifth album at Wire Road Records and planning to release it in the next couple of months.

Rock Judge - Al Staehely

Al Staehely is an entertainment lawyer based in Houston, Texas. He has specialized in legal matters pertaining to the music and film industries since 1979. His clients include musicians, record labels, music publishing companies, and distribution companies. He handles various matters related to recording, publishing, sub-publishing, and licensing both domestically and internationally.

Al is also a musician whose roots in the Austin music scene combined with his experience writing and collaborating with artists in Los Angeles (most notably as front man in the psychedelic rock band Spirit) have allowed him to create a sound all his own. Seamlessly blending classic rock, soulful blues with a commanding stage presence, Al is just at home playing intimate solo shows with an acoustic guitar on his knee as he is taking center stage at a rock show. Al's engaging lyrics and creative melodies have peaked the interest of other artists who have recorded his songs- Keith Moon (The Who), Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane), Peter Cox (Go West), The Nick Gravenites/John Cipollina Band, as well as performers from his own back yard, most recently Houston R&B vocalist Annika Chambers.

This summer, via Quarto Valley Records, Al will be releasing new music with his first single “Something Good Is Gonna Happen” with a full album on the way."

Learn more about Al at alstaehely.com and music-lawyer.com.