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Opry North

Name: Lee Sims & The Platte River Band - Lee Sims, Bert Sims, Ron Cook & Jeffrey Kennison

Length of time in the band: Lee - 27 years

Bert - 27 years

Ron - 27 years

                                              Jeffrey - 1 year

Instruments played: Lee - vocals, guitar & harmonica

                                  Bert - vocals & bass guitar

                                  Ron - vocals & lead guitar

                                  Jeffrey - vocals & drums

Band based in: Aurora, Colorado, USA

Most memorable performance: "There have been several noteworthy performances, however the one that stands out to me was working on the same show with George Strait on his first Denver appearance." - Lee Sims

What do you do to relax?: "I enjoy baseball and golf, so normally going to a Rockies game or playing golf is how I relax." - Lee Sims

Finished CD's: "Back Trackin' " - released 2000 (other projects on vinyl & cassette)

CD's for sale: "Back Trackin' "

Management: For more information on Lee Sims & The Platte River Band     visit our website or Email us at
LEESIMSCOUNTRY@aol.com , or write to Lee Sims

P.O. Box 472152,

Aurora, CO 80047-2152

USA

Website: http://www.leesims.com

Lee Sims & The Platte River Band have been around for a very long time, if you count the fact that two of the members are brothers and literally grew up as a 'band'. Lee and Bert Sims both began in music at very young ages, Lee at five on guitar and Bert at twelve on drums. Bert went from one instrument to another from there and both began playing in bands all through school, with Lee actually making money at it while still in school. Eventually they ended up together. Add fellow band mate Ron Cook and they formed the basis for what would become one of Colorado's most popular country music groups, with Jeffrey Kennison bringing his years of achievements into the group last year. Now don't think that this group of guys are just club musicians. Each member of this group has been in projects as diverse as acting, songwriting, recording commercial jingles, filling in as a backup band and numerous other things. You won't find as well rounded performers just anywhere like this bunch. And then there's their 'opening' credits, having been the opening act for entertainers like Tanya Tucker, Buck Owens, George Strait and Waylon Jennings.

The latest project by Lee Sims & The Platte River Band is the CD, "Back Trackin'", which has been getting lots of favourable attention from the media and the public. The CD contains covers of some traditional material written by those favourites Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard as well as some original tunes written by the members of the band. They celebrated the release of this CD last summer by holding two CD release parties at different venues in Colorado, which were highly anticipated by the public and the media. With such a well produced product, with the polished vocals of all of the participants and the variety of material on this CD I can't think of anyone who wouldn't be a fan if they get a chance to hear it. (I particularly liked "Honey Don't", the guys really rock on that one).

Longevity in the music industry is the hardest thing to achieve, and it speaks volumes that this group has been recording and entertaining folks for as long as they have. It means that they must be doing something right. I felt that the time had come for Colorado to share its little secret, like it or not, and it was time for the world at large to meet some of the best sounding guys and hear some of their story. Each member is definitely worthy of a profile on their own and I hope I'm not doing them an injustice by doing one for all four, but you'll still get the feel for what I'm trying to share. If you visit any site or publication in Colorado about country music, you will find this group there. They are that much a part of the country scene and I hope they become one of your new favourites. They've worked for it, they've earned it and plus, they're pretty darn cute.

This year we have decided to change the questions for the profiles depending on if it would be for an individual or a group. As group dynamics differ from band to band we felt that it might be beneficial to those starting out as part of a group to see the 'workings' of others. We hope you enjoy the slightly different style, and with pride we would like to present to you Lee Sims & The Platte River Band, who had graciously agreed to help us out with this. Through our numerous contacts with Lee, we have discovered that you won't find a more dedicated, focused go- getter or a more congenial fellow to deal with. The years of experience that Lee is willing to share with those just starting out is an invaluable resource, so if you're one of those people I suggest you read closely and follow his guidance. He hasn't succeeded in being in one of Colorado's most celebrated groups for nothing and you won't meet a more helpful performer anywhere.

Band Interview

Q: Looking back on your earliest experiences in the music industry what did you learn that made the most difference at that time?

"Reflecting back to the beginning of my musical career, there were numerous lessons I carry with me even today, but the most important thing I learned above all, was to be the very best Professional that I could possibly be. This approach to my career has taken me to places that many other musicians have never achieved, not necessarily because I am the best musician but because I never lose sight of what it means to be a Professional."

Q: How difficult was it to put together the current band, and what are the most important considerations when looking for a new band member?

" The Platte River Band came together rather easily, Ron Cook the Lead Guitarist, and Bert Sims the Bass Player (my brother) grew up together. Finding a Drummer that could lay down a solid beat and have a personality that would mesh with the rest of us was a little more challenging. Over the years I have had to replace an individual from time to time. The qualities that I look for are, Professionalism, be a quality player, be able to sing, and have a personality that would match up with the rest of the band."

Q: What surprised you about being part of a band in relation to promotion or attention from the public as opposed to being a single performer?

" I have always been in a band, therefore, I’m not really familiar with anything other than a group effort. As a group, everybody has their assignment, and everybody shares in the attention of the audience."

Q: What was it like when you started recording? How prepared did you feel going in and how prepared were you really?

" I was excited, like anyone would be to have a chance to put together music for the whole world to hear. I felt prepared as far as the music that I was about to record. I had rehearsed, and rehearsed some more, so I felt comfortable with what I was about to do. But once in the studio everything was different. I heard things that I hadn’t ever heard before and it was then that I found that I wasn’t as prepared as I thought. There were breaks that we weren’t together on, there were notes that weren’t quite on key, so, we did it over and over again until it was as good as we could possibly make it. After so many times of doing the songs
over and over the music started to become rather sterile, and did not have the life that I thought it should have. From that experience I learned a little bit more of what to expect and how much I needed to do before going into the studio to keep the songs fresh and alive."

Q: What was your most inventive agreement while self-promoting with limited financial resources?

"During my career I have made it a point to make myself available to radio stations for their promotions. I have recorded commercial jingles, voiceovers, and served as a back up band. This has allowed me to take advantage of their promotional spots and receive that hourly plug in their commercials, as well as sometimes receiving airplay for my records."

Q: How has your original self-promotion strategy changed along the way?

"The best tool that I have found for self-promoting with my limited budget has been the computer with online service. My earliest recordings had to be promoted by telephone, which in those days was more expensive than today’s rates and limited the contacts that could be made, or by written correspondence, which was not as fast or productive as the telephone. With the Internet, things move at a much faster pace and details are taken care of more timely. The results of my efforts are known today, so if I need to change my approach I can make the adjustments and move on, as opposed to waiting weeks to see what is working
and what is not."

Q: If you could change anything in your career what would it be and what would it look like once transformed?

"If I could change anything in my career, I believe I would have spent more time in learning the finer techniques of song writing. In my opinion this would have given me an opportunity to compete in more than just the vocal arena, and would have advanced my career and to a greater level."

Q: What is your opinion of major labels and what do you think the future holds in store for them?

" Major labels have created some incredible sounds, produced some wonderful songs, and made some artists Stars. Right now I think that the major labels are suffering from what I call the COOKIE CUTTER SYNDROME. One label finds an artist and with the right production, and the right song makes he or she, a Star. Other labels try to cut out a replica of that artist. This leads to not only look a likes, but also sound a likes. In some cases in their greed to capture that part of the market, it leads to a lesser quality artist that has to be digitally corrected in the studio. Once they go into a live performance the truth comes out and you see what
was manufactured and what was talent. It is my belief that in the very near future you will actually see a split in what is now called Country Music, that of the Cookie Cutter Syndrome going one direction, and that of the Traditional going another direction, the latter probably being independents. If this happens the major labels will probably change the term Country to POP."

Q: How do you feel about the Internet and the effects that it may have on the music industry?

" In an earlier question I spoke about how the Internet has already affected my career. I believe it is a very powerful tool and is going to truly change the way artists do business. It is especially important for the Independent artist. In my case most of the financial backing was invested into production, this left little for the promotional area, but being online has helped me pick up some
slack. I have met some people that have helped me tremendously, and with my online support we have been able to reach the Top 50 (#44) on the WORLDWIDE MAINSTREAM ARTIST CHART, something I’m very proud of."

Q: Do you feel the time is coming when artists will have more control over their own futures and have to put up with less 'outside' interference?

" My guess is, as long as the Major Labels put up the money they will call the shots. The only true way to have control over what you do is do it yourself. Of course this is tough unless you are independently wealthy, or in my case have a financial backer that believes in you."

Q: As a band, do you find that creative direction must be a shared thing with input from all quarters or is the 'majority rules' idea the better one?

" I have been a studio musician for 25 years. It has been my experience that you have a person that will take the lead in a project and provide a direction. When you are working with true professionals you have mutual respect for each other, so there is input from all the players. But time is money in the studio so one person normally takes the input, makes a decision, and goes with it."

Q: If you could offer any advice to someone just starting out about what to get some solid information about a.s.a.p. what would it be?

" A couple of things come to mind. First of all, develop your people skills. This will not only help you in your ability to communicate with your audience, but will also help when working with members of the band. Secondly, get some expert advice
on song writing. This is one area that I missed and I believe is very important to ones musical career."

Q: If you were given a large sum of money to invest in your career, how would you?

" Depending on the dollar amount, I would either start my own recording studio, or if funds did not allow for that, continue to record independently. Either way, make sure a new CD gets out every year."

Q: When planning a tour, or an 'away' trip, what considerations must you take into account to keep yourself in the best fighting form?

" Details are the critical part of any tour. Your vehicle must be in the best shape it can be. Make certain that you estimate your travel time from point A to point B and allow for the unexpected. If you can, make your lodging arrangements in advance. I have found that this is not always possible. It also helps to have some kind of a budget. You obviously cannot control anybody’s spending habits but your own, so have available to you some extra funds for emergencies. I have always taken the approach “EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED”."

Q: What percentage of your success do you say can be attributed to the following: airplay, touring, media promotion & exposure, word of mouth? Any others?

"The break down goes as follows, 20% for airplay which is actually increasing with our new CD Back Trackin’, 10% each goes to touring & media promotion, 25 % to word of mouth, and 35 % is longevity in the business."

We would like to thank Lee Sims & The Platte River Band for their assistance with this profile and for their support for our efforts. I know how far a little appreciation will take you when you feel like you're working in the dark, not knowing how many folks out there will get to see your final product. Working together will double that number, I've always felt, so I can't thank them
enough for working with us to spread the sound of some good, well loved country music to some hungry ears. We'll always wish you nothing but the best, thanks guys!

Written By : Kim Jamieson

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