At Women’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, female legends strike a chord with talented up-and-comers

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As a seasoned music enthusiast with a penchant for rock ‘n’ roll and a knack for unearthing untold stories, this news about the Women’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp stirred my soul. The idea of aspiring musicians sharing the stage with legendary women like Lita Ford, Nancy Wilson, and Sheila E., is music to my ears.

In the world of music, particularly rock, men continue to hold a significant majority. If you’re a female musician aspiring to perform alongside iconic women rockers like Lita Ford or Nancy Wilson, here’s an opportunity that could make your dreams come true. From December 5th to 8th in Hollywood, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp is hosting its third Women’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp. This special event features guitarists such as Nancy from Heart, Lita from the Runaways, and Sheila E., among others.

As a musical director for Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camps and a guitarist from the ’80s band Vixen, Britt Lightning expressed that her original plan was to establish a rock camp exclusively for women in 2022. She explained, “The idea came about due to an observation I made at various camps I attended; there were usually five or fewer female musicians participating. I believe this is because the industry, being predominantly male-driven, can be quite intimidating for women.

Lightning is no stranger to the music industry with experience both in the business side and as a musical performer. Aside from Vixen, she has played with a wide range of musicians such as Alejandro Sanz, Alejandra Guzmán and Jason Derulo. She holds a degree in music business from Northeastern University, and has experience working with Live Nation and Universal Music Group. As an East Coast native, she said moving to L.A. was the best decision for her career. “I joined Vixen because I moved to L.A. from Boston and just got into the rock scene jamming with musicians and networking. L.A. welcomed me with warm arms, especially the rock scene,” she said.

In 2019, Lightning served as a musical mentor at Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camps, an experience she found incredibly fulfilling. Impressed by her capabilities, the camp’s founder and CEO, David Fishoff, recognized her unique blend of business acumen and musical talent. “I excelled in that role, and received fantastic feedback from fellow campers and counselors. They appreciated my business sense along with my musical abilities. David Fishoff found this mix quite appealing. Some artists prefer to focus solely on their art without dealing with the business side, but I can handle both.

This edition of Women’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp is guaranteed to deliver an equal amount of profoundly moving and inspiring effects on its participants, much like its predecessors have demonstrated.

Lightning remarked that the women’s rock camps foster a greater sense of camaraderie and openness. Everyone seems more inclined to share their feelings, she explained. If men were present, there would likely be an element of competitiveness, with individuals trying to outshine each other. However, at these events, it’s crucial to lower our defenses and improve. The goal is to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones and learn new songs. Some people may find it difficult to be open in co-ed environments.

This year, Wilson expressed her eagerness to participate, but she’s no newcomer to the scene. She’s attended several rock camps throughout her years, and this is only the second one designed exclusively for women. “The energy at an all-female camp differs from a co-ed one, but there’s one thing they both share: everyone is passionate about rocking out,” Wilson explained. “All the musicians are eager to collaborate with fellow music enthusiasts who admire their favorite rock bands.

Wilson is excited for the December camp in Hollywood, and she can’t wait to interact with her fans. As she put it, “The camp offers fans an unforgettable weekend experience where they can jam with their favorite rock bands, learn their songs, and even share a stage with them.” She added that one of the best aspects of the event for her is getting to know her fans personally and understanding what these songs mean to them. Of course, they’ll be playing Heart’s music, but different groups of campers will form bands, allowing her to collaborate with various musicians.

Wilson finds it particularly gratifying to interact and build relationships with her devoted followers, as gatherings such as this one offer a unique opportunity to reconnect with the genuine fans who have supported her throughout her career. Such events provide chances for autograph signings, photo opportunities, question-and-answer sessions, guitar workshops, and other enjoyable activities. In essence, it’s a fantastic way to celebrate their unwavering loyalty and shared passion for music.

The renowned musician Sheila E. is participating in this year’s Women’s Rock Camp as well. She mentioned that she has collaborated with the event before, although it wasn’t exclusively female at that time. “I’ve participated in the rock camp previously for this organization, but this one could be different from the one I did long ago,” she stated. “At that point, I was touring with Ringo Starr, and his manager helped facilitate the connection; we had the opportunity to play alongside many musicians who don’t make music their profession but were passionate about playing. It was an enjoyable and exciting time.

Sheila E. reminisced about having met her fellow Rock Camp bandmates, Ford and Wilson, on past occasions. “It was a while back, but I’m still eagerly anticipating spending time with them and the other rock camp musicians,” she expressed, further stating that she believes the gathering will be both thrilling and significant for female musicians. “I feel that at this juncture, there are numerous women musicians out there, and we possess the ability to inspire them all and raise awareness to empower them.

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2024-12-06 02:44