Bringing America Good Times From Stages to Schools and Beyond

If you’ve ever seen a Velcro Pygmies show live, they really need no introduction. Once you’re a fan you know what you’re getting each and every show, and you simply want more of it. If, on the other hand, you haven’t seen this talented and entertaining foursome, then let me explain just exactly who, and what, they are. The world-famous Velcro Pygmies specialize in taking their fans on a journey to a place and space in time when hair was big, pants were tight, screaming was singing, and in the illustrious words of KISS’s Gene Simmons, “If it’s too loud. You’re too old”.

The Pygmies --as their fans around the country affectionately refer to them— operate from a time and stage when a twominute guitar or drum solo was what fans wanted to see and hear. And, not only have Cameron Flener, Chase West, Max War, and Chris Eddins managed to keep those fans, they’re still making new ones, from college campuses to nightclubs to high school auditoriums and corporate event stages, all over this great country.

Because that’s what The Velcro Pygmies do. They take your everyday, average grind, full of hardships, tears, smiles, and the ups and downs of the roller coaster of life, and they add a pinch of adrenaline, a dose of testosterone, a little sprinkle of wildness, and they shake it up, turning those 60 or 120 minutes that you’re with them into an escape. After all, isn’t that what real, unadulterated rock is really all about?

The Pygmies formed in Louisville Kentucky, playing night clubs, college campuses, and frat parties, primarily in the Southeast, over 25 years ago. The band has managed to not only maintain their fan base, but to build on it over the past two decades. When you go to a Velcro Pygmies show in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Texas, New Hampshire --or anywhere else across the country they regularly play-- you will see a crowd made up of 40 and 50 somethings that became fans in their own college days, as well as 19 and 25 year olds that have more recently started following the Pygmies and their brand of hairband showmanship --complete with big hair, glitter bombs and long guitar solos.

By Will Estell `

Giving Back Through Reach & Teach

As if the great showmanship, big sound and lighting, and fun-loving fans aren’t enough, five years ago these rockers made the leap from the clubs to the classrooms, in a remarkable endeavor to reach and teach America’s future. They don’t just want to entertain; they want to give back by helping prepare the next generation for the one stage that’s even larger than rock and roll: Life!

Reach and Teach is a unique program, free of charge to the schools and students who are part of it. The program is facilitated through individual school systems and high schools, built upon a nine-week curriculum in which students are given the opportunity to literally plan and execute a concert that takes place at their high-school or middle school; by The Velcro Pygmies, or one of five other artists that Cameron Flener and his co-founding partner in Reach and Teach, Executive Director April Clark, have handpicked to be a part of the growing educational program.

Isat down with Flener, over lunch, to talk a little more about this program firsthand. Though he’s made a living through rock music, Cam is, in my opinion, as much an entrepreneur as a great performer. He’s extremely well spoken, intuitive and insightful, and as such was quick to point out that Reach and Teach isn’t about rock and roll music as much as it is about truly giving something back, creating a legacy of sorts and being involved in something that is much larger than himself or his band.

Talking with co-founder April Clark, she explained it this way, “A rock concert provides the perfect vehicle for condensing all the aspects of operating a business into a limited time frame. Students learn about budgeting, marketing, public relations, web design, audio visual, logistics, and most importantly are able to analyze the results of their event once it’s over.”

Cameron went on to say, “Reach and Teach students are hands on in doing everything from deciding on the venue (normally on the school grounds, and during regular school hours) to helping the band set up and tear down the stage. They truly learn what it takes to plan an event from concept to fruition, how to make money for their school or school related fundraiser and have fun along the way. All with something that excites and interests them.”

Over the five years I’ve been familiar with Reach and Teach, I have had the opportunity to hear from educators, school administrators, and parents about the merits of this program. Some of the stories are remarkable in their positive impacts and life changing alterations: Students who discovered and honed their skills as photographers, sound engineers, sponsorship salespeople, and even became musicians, writers and singers after taking part in Reach and Teach.

For more information about The Velcro Pygmies follow them on Facebook or IG. To learn more about Reach and Teach visit them at ReachandTeach.rocks and follow them on Facebook at ReachandTeach.

Writer Bio:

Will Estell is a writer, media entrepreneur, and real estate professional with over 600 published magazine features, in an array of genres. Over the past 25 years Will has been instrumental in founding twelve new magazines from concept to fruition, as well as serving as editor in chief for numerous others. Originally from the backwoods of rural Mississippi, Will is a father of three who splits his time between Destin and Navarre, along with his wife, ABC 3 news anchor, Laura Hussey. Will is a regular contributor to VIP Magazines… and a Velcro Pygmies fan who has been known to join them on stage a few times too!