Mixing modern country with just the right rock edge

The Rodeo Clowns are a five piece modern Country band that has been exciting audiences in South Florida for over Five years. Not your typical “line-dance” oriented group, the band has a high-energy country sound that comes from an emphasis on strong harmonies and solid musical support. Their combined performance experience yields an acute professionalism and the ability to deliver an exciting sound night after night.

The band’s sound is centered around lead singer Nikki Rae. Borne and raised in South Florida, Nikki has only been singing for 6 years, but has developed into one of the most crowd pleasing singers in the area.  Her strong melodic voice and incredible stage presence puts a dazzle in the Rodeo Clowns sound that keeps the crowd coming back for more.  She delivers a well-rounded sound that covers nearly every female country singer on the charts today.  She has grown up surrounded by the influences of her musical family from Alabama to Florida. Her influences from Hard Rock to soulful country found their way into her very dynamic vocal expression and high energy performance.  Combined with the experienced fluidity of other band members, Nikki Rae brings the youth of today to the stage that keeps the crowd swinging all night long. The players in the band have a vast musical background that spans over 40 plus years. The group was started by Steve Couch and Bill Robinson, who have played in various classic rock bands, such as Boomerang and Animation, since the late 1980’s. With the love of harmonies and excitement of early rock and roll, they formed this band to share the spirit of this music with today's audiences.  They felt  that country music had the strong melodies and harmonies, which  was closer to the “Classic Rock” sound they always preferred along Nikki’s natural ability to flow towards country, drove the bands focus.

The band's influences come from a variety of music spanning from Miranda Lambert and Alison Krauss to Nora Jones, John Mayer and Adel. All of this can be heard running through the unique sound they have grown into over the life of the band. Steve has always been getting into bluegrass and solo acoustic artists and believes there is something to learn from everyone.

Steve Couch, Nikki Rae’s father, has been in the south Florida music scene since the late 1960’s. His strong lead voice and dynamic vocal range had always put him in the lead singer role of all his previous groups. However, his love for harmonies and the emergence of his daughter as a dynamic lead vocalist lead him to move into a more supportive harmonic role in the Rodeo Clowns.  Steve plays electric and acoustic guitar in the band and handles the high harmonies need to accompany a female vocalist. His wide-range vocals allow him to not only sing the high range harmony parts, but he also drops down and carries a few of the lead parts when needed.

A positive example to the youth through music

Nikki would have loved to had the chance to sing with her grandmother. "If there is ANYONE I would’ve loved the opportunity to sing with, it would be her. I even do a song for her called ‘Cowboy Sweetheart’. She was an AMAZING performer. No one held a candle to her. What I would like to contribute is a positive example to the youth through music, faith and life.

Nikki goes on to say "It is great having the chance to play with my dad! After all, he is the reason I started singing in the first place. He has always believed in me and is my strength when I need it. It is such a blessing to have this opportunity that others only dream about, having grown up surrounded by all these great influences, my Christian faith and my musical family."

Bill Robinson, an accomplished Bass player as well as keyboardist, has solid playing style that brings a solid rhythmic punch to the groups sound. Bill’s experience playing rock, funk, reggae, and jazz allows him to deliver those rock bottom bass sounds that keep the dance floor booming night after night.  Bill is also the third part of the Rodeo Clowns predominant 3 part harmonic sound. Bill’s baritone voice provides the perfect mix to Nikki and Steve and also provides that low country voice when he sings lead vocals.

The band has gone through a few changes since their inception in 2007.  The group is rounded out by veteran local players Trey Ward on lead guitar and Fred Russato on the drums, bringing their singing abilities and stage presence as the perfect complement to the groups exciting sound.

Currently the band has numerous original tunes that are becoming the main focus of the groups future direction. They have introduced a few into their live performances and are currently working on a new CD that they will begin promoting next year. They are looking forward to recording an album that blends a country rock edge mixed with their soulful vocal harmony blend. Look for a lot of heart and soul in this album when completed.

They believe that as artists, it is important to stay true to WHO THEY ARE, not necessarily what “sells” because the truth is, that's how they got there to begin with. You can expect a lot of touring, shows and rockin albums in the future from these Clowns of the Rodeo.