Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodna Shontz.
Hi Rodna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
27 years ago, a friend of mine in church handed me an accompaniment tape and said, “you need to sing this”. I had never sung in front of anyone before & was so nervous. It took me 6 months to practice before gaining enough confidence to stand in front of the church to sing it. It went well enough to be invited to sing with the Praise & Worship Team and enjoyed getting to sing for several area churches.
17 years later, a co-worker, whose husband was in a rock band, heard one of the songs we recorded in church and invited me to join his band. We did rehearsals every week for about 2 years but never performed a show. The time with them was not wasted though! I met lots of talented musicians and became vocally stronger. Those connections led to performances in several bands but Brookside Drive was where my show experience came from.
We eventually started a band, Southern RanT, that was more geared toward the country and southern rock genre and we had the most fun. A small group of seasoned musicians that just love to play music and wanted to share that love with others. Southern RanT gives us the opportunity to do that. So far this year, we have booked over 50 shows and we are loving what we do!
Southern RanT felt the need to give back to the community what we have been given…a chance to play music. Our goal was to sponsor a non-profit organization that was local, and helped kids learn and play music. Kidznotes checked all those boxes for us. A portion of all proceeds are donated to Kidznotes to help them provide instruments, instruction, mentorship and life-changing opportunities for young musicians.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Finding a group of musicians to come together and play music with the same vision has been hard. We don’t expect to get rich or land a record deal. We want to play, have fun and if we make a little money at the end of the night, all the better! Working around busy schedules can also be challenging.
We are a fairly new band and have only been together for about 12 months. Finding venues willing to open their doors to us, in an area saturated with known, amazing talent, has been a challenge.
I am a better singer than a speaker. I am great one-on-one, but in front of a crowd, dyslexia creates problems for me. Lyrics can get jumbled up when trying to read them during rehearsals and performances. Finding ways to overcome everyday!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Outside of the band, I am a Senior Community Manager for an apartment complex in Morrisville. I have been in property management for about 18 years now. Was laid off in 2008 while working for a residential construction company and a colleague introduced me to an acquaintance of his in property management where I got my start.
Figured out, it was my niche. I was pretty good at it and for the most part, enjoy what I do.
How do you think about happiness?
Music! Music brings back memories from my younger days. Music moves people…it can make someone cry, dance or just reminisce. Music helps us express love and gratitude.
The Lord has gifted me with a voice to sing and for that all praise and honor goes to Him who makes me the happiest of anything else.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernrant/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernRanTBand/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernrantband
