Randy Maez – aka “Roy”
Original Music from the Heart & Soul
Passionate, Obsessive, Unique, Progressive, Friendly and Funny – this is how people describe me. Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m Randy Maez, an original artist with a foundation in blues and rock. My material is not like anything you’ve heard before. My musical style is not molded by studies but by my own heart and soul. My originality extends to cover tunes which I play with a unique spin while keeping it very recognizable. People tell me they find this refreshing and enjoyable.
How I Began:
My journey started in 1965 in a little mountain town known as Leadville Colorado. I remember lip syncing with my two little brothers listening to mother’s old vinyl records — The Supremes, Buddy Holly, Bobby Vee Vinton — but I really didn’t get started until the late 80’s. That’s when I found my love for the guitar.
I was inspired by my little brother, Patrick. He could play everything from the likes of Van Halen’s Eruption to Randy Rhoades’ Crazy Train — he could play by ear. One day I took him to see a friend of mine who was offering insight on playing guitar and forming bands.
That was the day I realized that I really wanted to make music. I experienced the music first hand. It started to move me and I was not only listening but I was hearing it from the inside out. I started playing on an old acoustic guitar that I bought from a friend which led to a few informal lessons. How to make a bar chord and the 1 4 5 progression. I remember learning three chords and writing my first song, Fighter from the Old School.
I was influenced by artists such as Freddie King, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and The Allman Brothers. Eventually I bought my first electric guitar, a Fender Stratocaster.
Within a year I was recording the tunes I had written. That’s when a friend said to me after many nights of recording until 3 and 4 a.m. in Aurora, Colorado: “Randy, first of all you should have been born in the 60’s! And second of all you really need to get a band together!”
My First Band
My first band was Midnight Blue. It was a 3-piece that covered my original music as well as several of my favorite blues artists. I’ll never forget my first gig at Franklin’s Saloon in downtown Denver. The crowd was magical and I quickly became addicted to the musical stage. When I ‘m playing for a crowd and I can feel the connection, it’s like a soothing energy that makes me feel almost spiritually blessed. Somehow the energy of the crowd takes over and for a few brief moments, I feel like the world is in balance and we all take a ride to somewhere that brings us all together in perfect harmony. For me there’s no better feeling in the world.
My First Albums
In 1998, when I produced my first album, I changed the name of the band to Blues Child because I felt just like a child growing up musically. Naturally, the album was called Blues Child too. It was an exciting time! I felt like “wow…I made it!” I recorded in a real studio with an engineer and a professional drummer and bass player to make the album the best it could be. It was a great experience that opened my eyes to the creativity that can go into producing an album. I got some good ideas from the engineer and learned a lot about the sound I wanted. I also learned that I wanted to be very involved in how the music was mixed down. I printed 300 copies of Blues Child and sold every one of them. I produced my second album, Break the Circle, in 2000. I co-wrote it with vocalist/writer Karen Weis, who had joined the band in 1999. Karen wrote one of the tracks, Two Pillows, on her own. Karen had a voice that reminded me of Susan Tedeschi but with an original twist. Break the Circle was very different from Blues Child. With Break the Circle, we stepped into mixing blues with edgy Rock & Roll, plus I tied in some funky rhythm strumming. With both my first and second albums, I recorded the rhythm tracks live to add to the energy of the tracks. I experience this energy as a circle: When the band connects with each other, we connect with the crowd. Then the crowd connects back to the band. Energy on top of energy! It’s very combustible. For my next album, I want to make sure the band feels the energy of the tracks. For me, the energy has to be there. It has to be right.
Memorable Events
Two things make a gig memorable: the atmosphere and the people. Some of my most memorable gigs include Herman’s Hideaway showcasing original music, March of Dimes at the Fillmore in Denver, the Denver Athletic Club on the roof top, the Boulder County Fair, and playing with River Rock at Nissi’s in Louisville.
Finding the Groove
I love playing music that moves my audience. I can play in almost any venue, including weddings, corporate events, bars and private parties. I’m able to deliver a variety of music in two different formats which includes a 3-piece known as The Bad Side of the Trax which features Tom Barr on Drums and Joseph Pacheco on Bass. My Acoustic Duo (I like to call it Acoustic Soul) will include Joseph Pacheco on bass. Both configurations can find the groove that moves everyone. We can do it all.
Blessed – especially if you have read this much.
Anytime I get to perform I feel like it’s a blessing. Some people have called me gifted, but if this is a gift, it’s one I had to work hard for. I didn’t start playing until I was 25. I had to put in a lot of time to be able to perform.
These days I practice three or four time a week. I’m constantly trying to hone my skills. I still get nervous before I step on stage. My nervousness is a sign that playing music is important to me.
When that feeling goes away, I’ll know that something is wrong.
You don’t have to be Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix to connect with your audience. All you have to do is put your heart and soul into the music and it will move people. It always thrills me when I overhear people say “these guys are good!”