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.

Hear Campus Tradition perform live on the King Pup Hour!

Campus Tradition
RCC's Own String Band

Don't miss our upcoming performances!

Friday, Feb. 29: Homemade Music, Rockingham Community College auditorium (ADT-100) at 7 PM. The tenth annual benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity, sponsored by the RCC Musicians' Guild, features four acts including Campus Tradition. Admission is free; a donation to HFH is suggested.

Firday, March 7: The Rex Theatre, Galax, VA. 8-10 PM. Campus Tradition performs for the live broadcast of "Blueridge Backroads" on WBRF-FM. Come early for a good seat!

Friday, May 9: Spencer Penn Center, Spencer, VA. Campus Tradition will perform at 8:30 PM. Admission is free.

Friday, May 16: Private Party

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)