Roger Yeardley
Credited as being “one of Cincinnati’s best known and most successful songwriters” (1), and “one of Cincinnati’s most treasured singer/songwriters” (2), Roger Yeardley has always had a love of American music traditions such as country, blues, roots-rock and rockabilly. Over the years he has crafted a unique organic fusion of these distinctly Americana sounds. Measuring 6’ 7” in his stocking feet, this singer/ songwriter, guitarist/bassist is known not only for his “witty and penetrating” (3) lyrics, but also for his tall sound. The constants in his musical career have been a passion to write and record songs that say something and move people, and being known in both the local and international music communities.
Roger’s first two CDs ‘Sheepless in Cincinnati’ and ‘Roger Yeardley’s Communal Effort’ have received critical acclaim and worldwide airplay. ‘Sheepless..’ was chosen as an essential Cincinnati recording reflecting the blues-rock scene in Cincinnati (4). Roger’s songs have been on several volumes of the “Greatest Indie Artists in the World” international compilation CD series. Several local compilations have included his music (Shades of Blue II, Our Musik ‘99, Night Lights, Synesthesia, Another Day, 14 Nights), and one of his songs (‘Rise & Fall of the Blues’) was just covered by Cammy-award winning group, Ma Crow & the The Flock. Over the last couple of years Roger has been also placing his music in TV and films. His song ‘This Space Reserved’ was featured on the Music Choice cable TV channel for the month of June 2001. Two of his songs were used in the film, “Mr. ID”, starring Ami Dolenz (daughter of Monkee, Micky Dolenz). 'Rise & Fall of the Blues' is in the major movie release (11/6/06) - Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. Roger has deals with the music libraries CrucialMusic (L.A.), Essential Music (PA), The Q Music Group (L.A), and Transition Music (L.A.).
You can find Roger performing in varied venues from coffee shops to festivals. He performs solo and in in duos with award-winning guitarists Marcos Sastre and Steve Sigsbee. He has opened the Cincy Bluesfest (with his band a the time, the Snakehandlers ), and also opened for the Cowboy Junkies, the Bossa Nova Beatniks, and Little Charlie and the Nightcats. Based on extensive airplay in New Zealand, Roger was invited to play at an international festival there in 2002. He has performed live on the radio on WVXU (Audiosyncracies), WNKU, and WAIF, and on TV (including City Nights (7 times)).
His compositions have received airplay from the local to international levels. His songs have been on the airwaves throughout Europe as well as countries such as New Zealand, Australia, China, and Taiwan. Roger’s music has shared playlists around the world with hundreds of American music stars: Johnny Cash, B.B. King, The Dixie Chicks, Neil Diamond, the Eagles, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, and Dwight Yaokum just to name a few. A quick search on the internet using Roger’s name will reveal his music on music sites in the U.S., Germany, New Zealand, Yugoslavia, Japan, and Latin America.
(1) Jim Knippenberg (Cinti. Enquirer) (2)Michael Milton (Everybody’s News)
(3) Rick Bird (Cinti. Post) (4) Larry Nager (Cinti. Enquirer)