Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Bentley.
Hi Rob, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Life is complicated. Strikes and gutters as the Dude once said. Especially when we are young we can easily get overwhelmed with the frustration that comes from a lack of freedom and control over our own lives. But… close your eyes for a moment and listen for the ringing of a crash cymbal and the sweet sound of a Les Paul plugged into a Marshall. What does that sound like to you? To me, that is the sound of freedom!
Like many kids growing up, life became complicated for our family when my mom found herself as a single mother in a male-dominated world trying to take care of three young children. I was often frustrated with the fact that I couldn’t better control many of the obstacles that life presented and struggled building the confidence in myself that was well established in many of my peers. Fortunately, I was able to find solace in the world of music and gain confidence in myself while acquiring a skill that can be enjoyed throughout one’s life.
Throughout high school, my mother allowed a group of young music nerds to make an unbelievable amount of noise in her basement twice a week. What began as nothing more than a cacophony eventually turned into weekend gigs and a little bit of dough which was always spent on more music and more gear. And when I told my mother I wanted to pursue a music degree in college, I received nothing but encouragement. This encouragement and support along with practice, practice, practice earned me a degree from Berklee College of Music with honors.
Fast forward to the fall of 2010 and my bandmate, friend and then business partner James King and I started Don’t Stop Rockin’ by renting a room at Gorzycki Middle School to teach group guitar lessons to kids who wanted to learn guitar in a fun and interactive way. The program grew large enough that we opened our own space in 2013 and began offering private lessons in piano, drums, guitar, bass, ukulele and voice along with our group guitar and band program.
Don’t Stop Rockin’ is fortunate to have an amazing group of talented and experienced instructors who provide a solid music foundation to our students while helping them develop a love and enthusiasm for music. While we understand it is imperative to share our musical knowledge and to help build a skill set on the students chosen instrument, what we really hope to be able to give the student is something of their own to be proud of and something they would like to share about themselves… a flag to plant!
It has been well established that music and music lessons offer a broad range of benefits over the course of one’s lifetime. Understandably most of this research points towards the academic rewards music-making provide to the student. What we notice everyday and what we are most proud of as teachers is the high degree of confidence music-making builds in the individual. We are constantly noticing this acquired confidence spill over into the rest of the young student’s life. Music is a skill that translates across languages and cultures and one that the musician can use and improve upon throughout the entire range of a lifetime which is why we believe music is a perfect tool to help someone grow more confidently into his or her future.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The idea of Don’t Stop Rockin’ was started by two dudes in the back of a van while driving several hundred miles to the next gig. Sometimes there is no one at the show, sometimes it’s one out, one in. Sometimes you get paid and sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you rhyme slow, sometimes you rhyme quick.
As Rock n’ Roller’s, we expected a few bumps in the road and we were always able to navigate them and make the next show. Then the pandemic hit and those of us that live and work in the world of music have seen our friends and businesses crushed by the effects of Covid. We are overwhelmingly appreciative of all the students and their families who have continued to support us throughout the last year and more. Thank you!! Don’t Stop Rockin’…that’s my motto.
We’ve been impressed with Don’t Stop Rockin’, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Why the name Don’t Stop Rockin’? To us, there is no other musical genre that as urgently or simply says, “Yes, I can.” To us, Don’t Stop Rockin’ is much more than the name of our business, it is a philosophy that we try to live by and also try to instill in the students that pass through our doors. Don’t Stop Rockin’ is simply our way of saying “Yes, you can and don’t give up!” Of course, our way sounds way sweeter. Can you dig it? We knew that you could. We give instruction in most every style: Classical, Country, Folk, Jazz and of course Rock!
Don’t Stop Rockin’ teaches private music piano, guitar, bass, drums, voice and ukulele. We also have a group guitar and band program.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
When I was in third grade, I remember sitting in the cafeteria while eating lunch and arguing with my friend Shane Stutz about who was better, the Beatles or Elvis. Because my mother had a bunch of Elvis records and only a few Beatles records, I was convinced the correct answer was Elvis. Today I believe the correct answer is whoever resonates the most with you. For what it’s worth, I do own an Elvis on Velvet framed in neon!
Pricing:
- $112 per month for a weekly 30 minute private lesson
Contact Info:
- Email: rob@dontstoprockin.com
- Website: http://dontstoprockin.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dontstoprockin
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dont-stop-rockin-austin
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/672AtCHupY7qSDYGzIgvoy?si=gWQj_1qkSHmSVtcMC7rmGQ
Image Credits
James King and Rob Bentley
