Living A Rock ‘N’ Roll Dream At Foxwoods

With every riff and cymbal crash, dreams were being lived inside of Foxwoods hotel rooms as the fourth floor of the Fox Tower was turned into the first East Coast Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp in mid October. Aspiring singers and musicians performed classic rock hits with some of the rockers who created them in a real-life rock dream. On Sunday, Oct. 19, the experience culminates with a gig inside the Grand Theater.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp is a four-day weekend during which campers write, record and jam with counselors from big-name rock bands. Campers came to the casino from all over the country and the world to take part. Counselors included Rick Derringer of The McCoys, David Hull of the Joe Perry Project, Queen’s musical director Spike Edney and Roger Daltrey of The Who.

Through the course of the weekend campers will write an original song, record it in a real studio, have photographers follow them around and even encounter a few groupies (their spouses).

Brad Mosher, a Vernon native now living in Massachusetts, is a drummer who has always loved rock music and is now living his dream at camp after a 35-year corporate career.

“Just to see these guys up close and personal, handshakes, exchanging stories and music, it’s been absolutely outstanding and it’s only been a few hours,” he said outside of his band’s rehearsal room, wearing a UConn football jersey tee. He can’t wait to show off what he’s learned on Sunday.

Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp was created in 1996 by music industry veteran David Fishof. In the opening orientation Thursday, Oct. 16, Fishof welcomed campers new and old with jokes, stories from the industry and some tips, including making some rock ‘n’ roll name changes.

“We want your dreams to come true,” he said inside the Grand Theater as campers were encouraged to soak in ever piece of the experience, from jam sessions to master classes for specific skills.

“The first rule is, there are no rules.”

Campers were then broken up into bands led by a different seasoned counselor. Rooms were decorated in historical concert photographs so students could draw inspiration as they learned to groove with each other in preparation for the big show.

The bands perform Sunday, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m. inside the Grand Theater. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at foxwoods.com. Proceeds from the camp will benefit Teen Cancer America, a charity devoted to improving the lives of teenagers and young adults with cancer.

Other upcoming Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camps at Foxwoods are Nov. 6 to 9 for Producer’s Fantasy Camp featuring legendary Grammy award-winning producers; Jan. 15 featuring Joe Perry of Aerosmith; and March 5 to 8 featuring Cheap Trick and Blue Oyster Cult.