Rayzor's Edge and the Art of Community
Client Profile Series
(Image by FG Music & Media - September 8, 2023)
“Effin right.”
I knew this was going to be a seamless process. No fuss. No muss. Just a handshake and a smile.
“I want you to be there.”
Three days later I loaded up my gear and was headed to the quaint village of Warkworth Ontario. A fall fair was happening and now I was attending.
What you need to understand about Jake Whalen, frontman and consummate entertainer for Rayzor’s Edge, is that his inside voice is the same as his outside voice.
A man of integrity, generosity, and just plain fun.
“Do you mind if I go on stage to capture some footage?”
“Effin right. Do whatever you want.”
(Image by FG Music & Media, September 8th, 2023)
Prior to this event, I had never seen, nor heard of Rayzor’s Edge. I was familiar with Jake from back in the day growing up in the Belleville area, but I had no idea what to expect. I currently live over an hour from Warkworth, and had never spent much time there. It didn’t take long to see that Jake loves people. And he wants them to have a helluva good time.
Now, Jake can be tricky to follow with a camera because he is….everywhere. On stage. Walking on the grass. Singing through the crowd. Hugging people. If you blink you’ll miss him cuz he’s already danced on over to another spot.
Rayzor’s Edge are a talented group of musicians who perform a variety of mainstream hits, older classics, and original tunes.
As an aside, during the writing of this blog post, I quickly texted Jake to confirm the date of the event, as it had slipped my memory and I foolishly forgot I could simply check the video above. True to form, this was the exchange:
The name of the band is adapted from the first name of guitarist Ray Petrasek. Ray has a quiet composure on stage, an anchor man if you will, juxtaposed to the varied and high-flying movements of Jake. Ray also sings, both background vocals, and lead on original tunes of his crafting.
(Image by FG Music & Media, September 8th, 2023)
Virtuoso on the electric guitar, now aged 17, Marshall Stoner performed an impressive rendition of Free Bird that was as fun to hear as it was to film. This boy got mad skillz. He has a bright future in music if he continues to stay on the path.
(Image by FG Music & Media, September 8th, 2023)
But Marshall’s abilities must be partially attributed to the foresight and determination of his father, Adam Stoner, who plays bass. It’s a special thing when father and son can share a love of music and performing together, also emblematic of community and connection, something that Rayzor’s Edge and the people of Warkworth exude in spades.
(Image by FG Music & Media, September 8th, 2023)
The lone gal in the band, vocalist Carly Savery, performs, among other things, a lively and irresistible version of Redneck Woman. Carly adds an important element to this 6-person band, enabling them to incorporate a vast medley of tunes comprising masculine and feminine vibes. This offers a more dynamic experience for the crowd, giving the band added texture.
(Image by FG Music & Media, September 8th, 2023)
Drummer Sam Donnelly looks like he just arrived from a biker rally. But Sam has a playful side, ready and willing to interact with the camera up close and from afar.
It’s an intimate thing, arriving to a show and suddenly finding myself at the back of the stage getting closeups of a big burly dude whom I’ve barely met.
(Image by FG Music & Media, September 8th, 2023)
Jake hired me to film a second video during the Warkworth Christmas parade. As I was positioning my camera inside the float, Adam, fingers already starting to get cold, could be heard saying, “Why do we let Jake talk us into these things?”
Moments later Jake came strutting in with a grinch costume on. “Let’s do this!”
What is evident from my brief time with this crew, is that their community loves them. There is nothing more heart-warming than to see a small community come together to celebrate, to break bread, to laugh, to sing, to dance. To be in community.
For 7 years running Jake has been instrumental in organizing the Warkworth Music Festival, a 3-day event of camping, food, beverages, and just a whole lotta fun.
Rayzor’s Edge and the community of Warkworth have something special.
And you can feel it when you’re there.
To learn more about how you can book Rayzor’s Edge for your next event, contact:
Jake Whalen, 613-661-2698
Warkworth Music Fest 2024
https://warkworthmusicfest.ca/
To inquire about hiring FG Music & Media for your next project:
Email - info@fgmm.ca
Phone - 613-532-8464
Website - www.fgmm.ca
Nice job on those videos!
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