Campus Tradition

Campus Tradition has performed on the RCC campus, in public school classrooms, for civic groups, at outdoor festivals, and on live radio broadcasts.

For more information about the band or to schedule a performance, please contact Dave Smathers at 336-342-4261, ext. 2208. (smathersd@rockinghamcc.edu)

Join RCC's
Musicians' Guild,
an organization for anyone on campus who plays a musical instrument.

Campus Tradition has recorded its first CD, "HOMEMADE."  To find out more about our CD "Homemade" and to order a copy click here.

Visit the commercial site for Campus Tradition!

Campus Tradition
RCC's Own String Band

Don't miss our upcoming performances!

April 30: Campus Tradition will perform at the Relay for Life Benefit Concert in the RCC Auditorium (ADT-100). The concert lasts from 7-9 PM and also features Dave Wulfeck, Hubert Lawson and the Bluegrass Country Boys, Lee Dishmon and Keith Sigmon. Admission is free; a donation to Relay for Life is suggested.

May 1: Campus tradition will perform at the Wentworth Town Hall on Highway 65 at Peach Tree Road from 12-2 PM for the Wentworth Farmer's Day Festival. Chip Cardwell and Rob Compton will also perform. Admission is free. Food is available on site.

May 12: Campus Tradition will perform at the Spenser-Penn Center in Spenser, VA at 8:30 PM. (Music at the center begins at 6 PM and continues until about 10 PM. Other bands will also perform.) A nominal admission is charged. Food is available on site.

Not every college can boast of having its own house band, but Rockingham Community College is pleased to be the home of "Campus Tradition," a four-member string band.

Some years ago, in response to a challenge by students enrolled in the Rockingham Community College Musician's Guild, five "old timers" (members of the college's faculty and staff) created a band to perform at a benefit for Habitat for Humanity. The group first formed to play for "Homemade Music" in 1999. They enjoyed the experience so much that they have remained together and have  performed throughout the states of North Carolina and southern Virginia as Campus Tradition. Lee Dodson, college sociology professor and the group's founder, plays and sings bass. His impeccable sense of timing serves as an anchor for the band. Dale O'Bryant, former director of campus technology support services (now retired), provides the intricate five-string banjo work and tenor vocals in the group's four-part harmony. Chip Cardwell, a campus maintenance technician, plays autoharp in the band. His rich baritone harmonies and soulful leads accent many of the group's songs. Dave Smathers, director of institutional research and planning, lays down solid guitar rhythms and brings life to the old songs with his lead vocals. Their repertoire contains a variety of songs, including old-time gospel (Sweet Bye and Bye), western swing (I Wonder Where You Are Tonight), cowboy (Tumblin' Tumbleweeds), and old-time (Whoa Mule) that highlight the group's versatility and love for the "good ol' songs." Their rendition of favorite novelty songs (The Preacher and The Bear and The Rooster Song) usually earn chuckles from the audience. All four members of the band have written and arranged original songs.

The members of Campus Tradition entertained the crowd at Homemade Music III with a rendition of "Left-over Biscuits.". Contact Dave Smathers at 336-342-4261, ext. 2208 for more information.

Campus Tradition has recorded its second CD, "Back to Our Roots." It is now available from CD Baby. Click this link!

Chip Cardwell
Autoharp & vocals
Telephone:
336-635-1886

Lee Dodson
Bass, backing vocals, and barnyard noises
email:
dodsonl@rockinghamcc.edu
Telephone:
336-342-4261 (ext. 2155)

Dale O'Bryant
Banjo & vocals
Telephone:
336-342-0559

Dave Smathers
Guitar & vocals
e-mail:
smathersd@rockinghamcc.edu
Telephone:
336-342-4261 (ext. 2208)