Rising Stars: Meet Calvin L. Rogers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Calvin L. Rogers.

Hi Calvin L., so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Music has always been my passion from the very beginning. I used to bang on tables and beat on the furniture when I was two years old. My grandmother told my parents to buy me a drum set. So they bought me a toy drum set and a toy keyboard also. There I began my journey of exploring music. Finally, when I was five years old I was asked to play drums in a Gospel group called the “Three Gospel Stars.” My parents bought me a real/professional drum set and I began rehearsing and playing shows in crowds of over a hundred people at five years old. I later began to play drums for other bands as well. I took keyboard lessons off and on starting at age six. I got real serious on the keys and started taking lessons under Karl Pride at 13. Here is when I really began to transition from the drums to having the keys as my main instrument. Once everyone in town found out that I could play keys, I began playing for just about everybody in my hometown. My Uncle Henry Rogers ended up giving me his Korg Triton Keyboard when I was 14. I still use that keyboard to this day for gigs and studio sessions. In 2008 I ended up graduating from Bob Jones High school in Huntsville and ended up staying in my hometown to attend Oakwood University.

While at Oakwood I studied piano performance under my instructor, Dr. Wayne Bucknor. He really helped me to grow and hone in on my craft. During this time I was able to increase my reading skills, Classical technique, and overall professionalism. While at Oakwood I also studied guitar, bass, and percussion. In the Spring of 2013, I graduated from Oakwood University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and a concentration in Piano Performance.

Later I ended up leaving Huntsville, AL and moving two hours up the road to Nashville, TN. Here is where my musical journey really began to take off. Til this day, I enjoy every moment of being in Nashville. Music is everywhere here with a lot of key industry connections as well. I began to network and make my presence known around town. Since I’ve been here I’ve had the pleasure of playing at the Grand Ole Opry Three times and also playing other iconic venues such as the Ascend Amphitheater, The Exit Inn, The Tabernacle, The Union, etc. I’ve been able to tour and play gigs as a lead guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, and Musical Director playing auditoriums, amphitheaters, and arenas for major artists in town. I’m truly grateful for my experience thus far and certainly look forward to the journey ahead.

In addition to being a musical director, I’ve also been blessed to land some pretty cool opportunities in the studio world as well. I actually began producing when I was 13 years old. I produced my first album for my sister who is an artist when I was 15. The album is entitled “Jesus is Risen”. I remember hearing one of the singles off the album being played on the local Gospel Radio stations. I was able to hear a song that I wrote and produced on the radio at 16 years old. Later I began taking on many projects on the production side as well. One of my favorite projects to work on so far was with my good friend and mentor Devine Evans who is a 5-time GRAMMY award-winning producer out in LA. He had me co-produce a project for American Idol Finalist Scarlet. We continue to work on lots of great projects together. I’m truly grateful for him along with many other musicians and producers who have been with me every step of the way.

I have currently been studying music production at Berklee and am excited to announce that I will graduate this June with my Master’s Degree in Music Production from Berklee College of Music. I have been studying online the past year and a half. I am truly grateful for all of my accomplishments this far and am very excited for journey and road ahead.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road hasn’t been easy at all. There have certainly been struggles, but it’s going through the hard times that really makes you appreciate the good times. When things are going well and as planned, I try my best not to take those times for granted. One of the struggles for me happened in March of 2020. As we all know, the whole live music industry was shut down for a long period of time. This totally caught me off guard as it did everyone else. It was a struggle financially and mentally for me but I endured. I ended up finding other ways to make money and found ways to stay positive. Another struggle for me at one point was time management. There were times when I was only getting around 2 or 3 hours of sleep at night cause I was just so consumed with studio projects, gigs, etc. while still being a husband and taking care of household things. I had to learn to create a schedule and balance work, home and spending time with family and friends.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Producer, Musician, and Musical Director. I am probably most known for being a multi-instrumentalist and being able to play over ten instruments professionally. Keyboards, drums, bass guitar, lead guitar, acoustic guitar, organ, harmonica, ukulele, mandolin, any percussion instrument, sing, and Disc Jockey. My specialization is Keyboard out of all the instruments I just named. I am also known for working in the mainstream genres of Pop, R&B, and Country. What sets me apart from others is my attention to detail and huge passion for the music I create and play. I try my best to fall in love with the music I am working with whether in studio or on stage. I also do my best to support the artist in which a lot of musicians & producers overlook. I study in depth every artist I work with, their history as well as their current state. I then try to do everything I can to get them to the next level and to achieve whatever it is their aiming for. If the Artis wins, I win! I am probably most proud of receiving my BA Degree in Music from Oakwood University and obtaining my Master’s Degree in Music Production from Berklee College of Music later this June!

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising would be that I was purposely abstinent from sex til marriage. My parents instilled in me core morals and values since I very young. I still hold them to this day. I’m truly grateful to have great demeanor and self control. I love not giving into peer pressure. This actually helps me to get booked more for gigs and sessions. The people who hire me know that I’m a great person, an excellent hang, and will execute in professionalism while acting accordingly.

Contact Info:

• Website: calvinrogers.com
• Instagram: @calvinrogersmusic
• Twitter: @CalvinRogers_
• Other: https://linktr.ee/calvinrogersmusic

Image Credits
Maya Wynn