Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to David Rodé. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

David, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My current project, “Pete Re-Imagined!” is one of the most important and meaningful endeavors of my 40+ years as bandleader of Topper, one of America’s longest running touring & recording bands.
Pete Re-Imagined! Is a ten song series of remixed Topper songs, featuring the amazing lead vocals of Pete George.
Each remix will be released approximately every 90 days on all all streaming services & worldwide radio, along with the original recording on 10 separate 2 song single, digital EPs. All 10 songs were remixed by P-Funk legend, producer, Kevin KStar Shider, compiled and mastered by David Rodè.
The first installment, featuring the song, Carry The Load titled,
“Pete Re-Imagined! (Volume 1)”
was released 12/14/23.
Pete suffered a major stroke at the end of 2021 and is currently comfortable and receiving excellent care at The Pines At North Lakeland nursing home in Meridian, MS. He was the primary lead singer of Topper and co-songwriter with bandleader/guitarist/vocalist, David Rodé for over 36 years. The project was created as a tribute with love, respect and admiration to one of the greatest singers to have ever lived.
Topper continues to record and perform, 47 years into their legendary, long run with a great revamped lineup. The show goes on.

David, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve wanted to be a professional guitarist & bandleader since “ day one’” and that’s all I’ve done my entire adult life! I learned guitar from legendary Blues artist’s recordings. I’m completely self taught. My first bands were blues bands that covered classic songs of the genre, as well as my original blues, jazz & funk oriented song compositions. I’ve been bandleader of the established Georgia based & recording band, Topper since 1977 through numerous personnel, changes and changes in the Music business through for decades! It’s been a challenge and a roller coaster ride to stay in business constantly through all this, but I’m still here to tell the tale! At this point, Topper is a multi format band with a huge repertoire of original music and songs of all genres & decades that can be configured into shows for any type of event.
Topper, one of America’s premier touring/recording acts present a concert, featuring original Rock music from their recordings, as well as multi genre original songs from their new album, All A Part Of The Show.
Topper also presents their tribute show, Voices Of Rock & Soul! in concert, corporate, wedding, club, casino live venue, dance/variety or private sector party format.
The greatest classic Rock & Soul artists and music with Topper as time traveling, decade hopping entities, beginning with the birth of Rock & Roll, British Invasion, Motown, Funk (James Brown, Temptations, etc), ‘60s Rock explosion (Jimi Hendrix Experience/LED Zeppelin,etc) 70s Classic Rock ((Journey, Foreigner,etc), ‘70s visionary Soul (Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder), ‘80s Rock & Dance (Prince, Chic, etc) ‘90s (Nirvana, Metallica, 4 Non Blondes, etc) Into the Millennium (Adele, etc) as well as Topper’s wide appeal multi genre original songs.
Topper utilizes its constantly updated show & repertoire of all genres of music for any type of event: Weddings, Private Corporate events, Festivals, Fairs, Concerts, Casino live venues and concert clubs.
Topper also presents their full band acoustic show in a small footprint, “Couch Concerts” in private residences, nationwide.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

At the end of 2019, Topper was lookiing forward to many opportunities and new live venue accounts in 2020. Then we were hit with the COVID pandemic with its quarantine and lockdowns. The entertainment business was at a standstill. After a couple of weeks of uncertainty about the future, I began a 21 track album project. called All A Part Of The Show and released it in 2020. One of the songs, Chance We Gotta Take won The Josie Music Award for 2020 Rock Song Of The Year. (The Josie Music Awards is the world’s largest Independent music awards show and network) Just as things began to open up again, Topper’s lead vocalist, my fellow franchise member of 36 years & songwriting partner, Pete George suffered a major stroke November 2021. My girlfriend, publicist, merchandise manager, and front singer, Miami Lively was diagnosed with stage four melanoma and had to leave the group shortly after this. To make things even worse, our Drummer of five years, Cody Spiva had to leave the band for financial and family issues. On New Year’s Day 2022. For the first time in my life, I took a month off, went to my sister’s home in Lynchburg, Virginia to do some soul-searching, and practicing my instrument. After this, I came back to Georgia, and spent two years reimagining and reinventing the band. At this point, Topper has one of the most cohesive and talented lineups and I’m writing, recording and releasing some of the greatest material in our long history. The show goes on

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Writing, recording and releasing new music and videos, staying in business, remaining vital and relevant, which has always been my mission and goal!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://topperlive.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/topperlive
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/voicesofrock
• Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/in/topperlive
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/topperlive
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/topperlive
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/topperlive
• Other: https://www.reverbnation.com/voicesofrockhttps://www.reverbnation.com/davidrode

Image Credits

New York Lens Atlanta
Grifix Photography