Fan of the Month!
Interviewed by Kayt

For the record, what is your name? My name is Rhodes Ingerton, but some of you know me as Billy Rhodes (you know who you are...) and I have to confess I consider myself more of a comrade than a fan... Where were you born, and where did you grow up? I really was born in Kentucky and really did grow up on a farm! Left home when I was 15 and headed west in search of good music & year-round motorcycle riding weather. Fortunately, my family is very nomadic, allowing me to live everywhere...

What were your main interests, entertainment and otherwise, growing up? Any obsessions you don’t mind people knowing about?
I have been obsessed with motorcycles since I was five years old, been riding and racing ever since. Music has been a constant presence, the soundtrack of life, you know what I mean? Other obsessions are open for discussion under more private circumstances...

Tell us about your musical endeavors and any musical instruments you play…
Ah, I've been playing forever, had an old hand-me-down beat box acoustic with action about two inches off the neck when I was just a sprat, really beefed up my grip! Sold instruments for a while in Lexington, Kentucky, that's where I met my Les Paul Custom. We’ve been together ever since... There's also the red Gretsch Streamliner, a Stevie Ray signature Strat, and what I believe is a prototype B.C.Rich bass my ex-wife found at a pawn shop one day. Any experts out there please get in touch! Also in my home studio, 60's Gretsch/Ludwig drum set, keyboards, violin, harmonicas, microphones, a Mackie mixer, all kinds of miscellaneous noise making devices, and the world's smallest mother of pearl Balalaika! I studied electronics, recording engineering, could play, record, repair and understand what other musicians wanted, I was on my way! Played around with a bunch of folks until I got run over by a drunk driver in "88 while riding my Husqvarna 250 (off road). The accident crushed my hands, knocked off my thumbs, etc. The surgeon said my hands were like sacks of sand, and that I needed to find a new line of work. That's when I turned back to promoting festivals and tours, but I still play anyway, and enjoy it despite the pain. I know your riffs, guys!

What accomplishments are you most proud of at this point in your life?
I have a wonderful son named Marshall (yes, named after the amplifiers...), have traveled the world designing and building recording studios, broadcast facilities etc., and was once national champion in a dance group that performed for the President. We were exchanged with another dance group from Poland... I'm not sure what they traded to get us back...

What are your favorite movies?
Ah, the cameos in “Six-String Samurai” and the soundtrack & appearances of our friends in “Mail Order Bride” were a real kick! I am a real movie freak though, and there are just too many answers to this question. Depends on the mood, if you know what I mean...

Do you have any favorite books?
Tons. My library is overflowing (literally) into every room of the house. Bookcase donations always welcome here! Composing, as we "speak," some stuff that will hopefully take you guys’ minds off of things for a while...please stay tuned!

What music are you into, in addition to Red Elvises?
Oh lawdy, this is a big barrel of monkeys you're asking me to let out here! Been though all the phases & styles, love something from all the genres. Again, this is a mood directed choice. If I don't make the choice, the music will do it for me, so, I try to avoid people screaming at me or being too damn depressing. Otherwise, I'm drawn to the uplifting stylings of our friends the Elvises, Throw Rag, Southern Culture On The Skids, The Cramps, Stan Ridgway, Adrian Belew, Gogol Bordello, Devo, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Alice Cooper, the list goes on...

When, where, how, etc. did you first hear and experience Red Elvises?
I have to credit my uncle, Dr. Ben F. Roach (RIP...google this guy) for this discovery; we were lunching together in Santa Monica when he exclaimed, twice, "Did you see that guy with the red hair?" I walked him to his car, and on the way back, found the Elvises playing in the street, guitar cases open and welcoming capitalism! I was hooked by the sound and fun instantly, but cemented when they started pulling young and old alike out of the crowd to dance! Excellent fun, and I introduced myself while contributing to the guitar case fund. Haven't missed 'em since without very good reason, and have spread the gospel around the globe!

About how many times have you seen them?
Oh jeez, I have no idea. They are so very therapeutic, literally, I go every possible chance, and take a dozen or so with me!

What is it about Red Elvises that draws you to them, that you like the most?
There's something indefinable about the Elvises’ material, chemistry, delivery, and content. There's a joy to it that seems to evoke a race memory kind of reaction, and I have trouble imagining and pity the souls who are not uplifted by one of their performances or recordings. Sometimes I wonder if a lot of what we call "American Music" wasn't imported from Russia in the first place, electrified, exported, and brought back in again. Everything's connected, you know.

What’s the farthest you’ve traveled to see them? And do you have a good story around that?
All over the U.S., my line of business keeps me moving around too. I guess the most memorable journey was a solo ride across Florida in hurricane season from Orlando to Tampa on my motorcycle, in axle deep water all the way. Had to, needed to catch that show!! I was drenched upon arrival, and kind souls dried me off, warmed me up, and thoroughly entertained me. Unforgettable.

Which show is your favorite of the Red Elvises shows you've seen?
They are all reliably great performances. Even when they're not feeling their best, the audience would be hard pressed to tell. Marshall and I spent New Years Eve with them in Tampa one year, and that was fantastic. The music and the people were great, and we stayed till somewhere around three in the morning with them, just chatting and hanging out after the show. Had to peel Marshall away for some sleep! Great people, great music, good for the soul. Marshall treasures his signed poster from those days, framed proudly in his room for all his friends to see!

Any other standout, all time great memories of shows you’ve seen so far?
They used to play the John Bull Pub in Pasadena, and Igor would literally bounce off the walls, tons of fun... It was always a kick to exhort faster and fiercer licks from Zhenya back when, Oleg always cracks me up (I still want to see the DVD from the interview that aired in Russia, my friend!). Adam rocks the drum riser like no one I've ever seen, Oleg Schramm made Zhenya's exit almost invisible. Everyone who has played with the band, even a little bit, has been super talented and friendly to boot, who could ask for more?

What are your favorite Red Elvises songs?
I can't answer this one without getting into some trouble, let's just say everything but "Play That Funky Music White Boy," which strikes my anti-disco nerve and launches me for the nearest exit every time. I know, I know, a lot of people like it, get down with your bad selves, by all means! I'll be right back...

What would you like to see them do in the future? Any ideas? Anything you’d like to say to the band?
I like the film direction because it reaches such a vast audience (plus, there's money to be made). It's always a treat to have another comrade impresario invited to play live or record with the band too, it adds more dimensions and the guys seem to enjoy it as well. The audience eats it up... I think it would be fun to do a three-day cruise with the die-hard fans, maybe down Mexico way. International waters are always a blast!

Okay, last question… Do you have anything you’d especially like to say to all the fans?
You've got good taste! Please remember to support your artists, resist burning discs for your friends, point 'em to the website, and come out to the shows!! The more the merrier, and it's always a guaranteed good time!! Thanks to the loyal few core "fans' who keep the machine running and allow these guys to be who they are, you are all making the world a better place to live, work, and shop. Keep up the good work! See you FRC sometime soon (Front Row Center)!