Brad Brock's One Man Band

The New Album 'Songs About You (and Every Other Girl)' is so good, you would be daft not to add it to your collection... - DJ Yorkie, Aiiradio.net

A singer/songwriter influenced by such modern artists as John Mayer and Jack Johnson. His current release "Welcome To Hollywood" is brimming with acoustic flavor and permeated with soulful lyrics which define his songwriting. - Axis Magazine

The 20-year-old Brock is a St. Lucie County native who's studying business at IRCC. Music, however, has been running in his veins since he was 9 years old. He wrote his first song in middle school.

The Renegades' music is hard-driving country with electric guitars; it's "country music with an edge," according to Brock.

"Country music has been evolving in a way that's really breaking down the boundaries of genres of music," Brock says. "All the music that I write does come from my heart, and I've come from country music.

"Lyrically, a lot of the songs are hands-down country music. They pull the same strings as country music lyrics do. But it's got an edgier sound that reaches out to let people know that country's growing into a genre that everybody can enjoy."

Hear for yourself at www.bradbrock.com.

- Bill DeYoung

By Matt Donegan

Staff writer


With a sound that he describes as edgier country with a rock 'n' roll backbeat, Brad Brock is bringing his Renegades to McAlpin Fine Arts Center at Indian River Community College's main campus at 8 p.m. tonight, Friday, June 23.

The $10 show benefits the school's fine arts department.

"Anything I can do to help to raise awareness," said Mr. Brock, who attended IRCC as a fine arts student and is now enrolled there again pursuing a degree.

He fronts a group made up of some interesting characters.

Somewhere in his 22 years of playing music, Bob Gentile, a classic oldies fan, was in a band with Mr. Brock's father. Now he plays pedal steel, keyboards and performs vocals with The Renegades, and had a thing or two to do with two other members joining the band. He's the father of drummer Dan Gentile and lead guitarist Andrew Gentile.

Only 15 years old, Andrew has amazing talent, Mr. Brock said.

"It's definitely a show to come and see him play," he said.

There's also Blake Miner, the bass player who's an active member of the Indian River Community College Jazz Ensemble, a firefighter and a reverend.

Mr. Brock himself began singing when he was 11, joining the chorus at Northport Middle School and often taking the microphone at a karaoke joint he went to with his parents. A year later, he picked up the guitar. Just two years after that he formed Brad Brock & The Renegades, though the original lineup is no longer intact.

The current Renegades have been with Mr. Brock for three years now and have created an album, "Broke 'n Broken," which will soon be available on their Web site, www.bradbrock.com.

In the meantime, they hope to fill the 624 seats available for the IRCC gig.

"We're really psyched about it," Mr. Brock said. "It's a huge opportunity."


Tickets cost $10 and may be purchased at the IRCC box office at the McAlpin Fine Arts Center, or by phone at (772) 462-4750 or (800) 220-9915.
- Hometown News