Rockabilly Rave USA

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US to get a taste of Europe's biggest rockabilly weekender
RAVE GOES STATESIDE
The Rockabilly Rave is crossing the Atlantic.

Promoter Jerry Chatabox is to put on an American version of his long running UK weekender. Rockabilly Rave USA hits Las Vegas from October 2nd-6th with headliners Jack Earls, Billy Lee Riley, Carl Mann, Hayden Thompson and Sonny Burgess. Jerry is collaborating with fellow Briton Tom Ingram who runs the Viva Las Vegas weekenders every April.

Jerry's been telling us why it's fallen to a couple of Brits to give Americans a slice of their own musical heritage...

• How optimistic are you that the Rave will work in the US?

The Rave USA is already working! We have had a tremendous response, with people already snapping up rooms at The Orleans, before we have even announced the line up. I think the international reputation of the Rockabilly Rave gives people the confidence to do that.

• Why should British and European rockabilly fans travel to Las Vegas when they can already get such a good weekender at Camber Sands?

Thank you for the compliment! But I think that is exactly the point. The European rockin' crowd have such a good time at the Rave, they want to repeat this in the US. Also we have picked a weekend date which also features a big hot rod show and a 40s and 50s lifestyle event (furniture/design/pin up art/architecture etc), both in Las Vegas, so there will be plenty to do, and plenty of stallholders for vintage and retro gear that are not seen in Europe.

• What are the most difficult aspects of organising a weekender in the US when you're based in Britain?

Well, I have to spend more time in America! Having said that, the problems of running any event, anywhere, are pretty much the same. But I'm certainly not complaining. It's my job and I am very fortunate to have a job that I care about with a passion. Word gets around the world in an instant, so getting the word out about the Rave coming to the US has not been such a problem.

• Why does it take you and Tom - a couple of Brits - to present Americans with a slice of their own musical heritage?

Well of course America has a great many fantastic events which have nothing to do with me or Tom! I think they are more aware of their musical heritage than ever before. But the Rockabilly Rave is a very specific thing. It has a very strong character which both European and American fans feel happy with.

• How do you compare the state of the rockin' scenes in the US and UK? Is there anything we can learn from them, or vice versa?

Of course the two scenes are very different. In the UK I've been a DJ for thirty years, so there is a lot of experience to draw from. In the US it's a much younger scene, with some fantastic new bands coming forward. It's just ideal that the two scenes get together and learn from each other. That's probably what I enjoy most from all the shows in different countries: we all like the same thing, but come at it from different angles.

• What happens when the original 50s artists are no longer around? Will these weekenders still work?

Of course they will, because for us it's a lifestyle choice. People won't suddenly stop liking rockin' bands, or dancing or drinking with a few thousand other rockabilly nuts! It's great that we can still respect the original pioneers of our music, but of course time moves on for all of us, but it won't alter what we like to hear or where we like to go at weekends.

The Rockabilly Rave USA is at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vagas from October 2nd-6th. The UK Rockabilly Rave returns to Camber Sands from June 19th-23rd.