A profile on Lance Rogers
By Caitlin Farmer
Why it’s Newsworthy: Lance Rogers, a sophomore at the University of Georgia and member of band Maples Crown, keeps himself busy with school, his music and his love of hunting. A rock music fan who is currently adding to his instrument repertoire by learning to play bass, hopes to build a fan base for Maples Crown in Athens as they begin work on their first record.
(Photo/Lance Rogers)
Lance Rogers is beginning to play shows again with local rock band Maples Crown, outdoors, where he already spends most of his time.
Rogers, a sophomore at the University of Georgia and multi-instrumentalist for Maples Crown, founded in 2017 in Eastman, Georgia, where they have several shows planned for this summer, including a music festival.
Sitting in his room with bare walls and his long dark hair flowing out from a yellow bucket hat, Rogers spoke on a Zoom call, where he said his father, Ken Rogers, is to thank for his music passion, making him take piano lessons.
Rogers, originally from Eastman, Georgia, said he comes from a family of entertainers but his father didn’t learn any instruments growing up, causing him to push his children to take lessons.
“We got thrown into the mix and we all started on piano,” said Rogers. “I was like, I want to keep doing this but I want to make my own music.”
Rogers, who first learned to play hymns on the piano, said he felt a deep connection to rock music, especially when listening to bands such as Led Zeppelin. He joined the band Southern Soul, in Eastman, Georgia, in 2017, as a keyboard player, which developed into him learning to play drums upon the exit of their drummer.
After Southern Soul lost a few members, they decided to rebrand, forming Maples Crown in 2017. Rogers said they derived their name from the crowning of a maple tree, representing a fresh start for the band.
Maples Crown is a tight-sounding band with a style reminiscent of 70’s classic rock. Although they mostly play covers for their bar and theater shows, Rogers said they have eight songs written and are hoping to record an EP soon.
In contrast to the loud and fast-paced life of being in a rock band, Rogers also loves hunting and the outdoors.
“When we play a lot of gigs you can just hear your ears ringing from the amps and drums,” said Rogers, “When you get out into the woods it’s a totally different ballgame. It’s just peaceful and you can relax and enjoy nature so it’s just a good balance.”
Rogers said he was an intended business major but when the pandemic began, coinciding with Turkey season, he filled his newfound freedom from a lack of shows and school with time in the woods. He said this helped him find his passion for forestry, now pursuing a career in land management.
Rogers said Maples Crown has been trying to play more shows around Athens and in his hometown of Eastman, Georgia but it has been difficult to coordinate because Rogers is the only band member who lives in Athens. Maples Crown’s lead singer, guitarist and drummer, Coty Barnett, lives in Eastman, Georgia, the bass player, Zachary Futch, lives in Dahlonega, Georgia and guitarist, Heath Barrett, just moved to Florida.
Despite how spread out they are, Rogers said they try to book at least one show a month.
“We’re from a small town and so really, anytime that they play, the entire town knows about it and everyone comes out to support,”
said Jessie Thomas, a consumer journalism major at UGA and childhood friend of Rogers.
Eastman, Georgia, has a population of over 5,000 and is located in Dodge County, Georgia.
Rogers said he’s now learning how to play bass and picks it up whenever he has free time, even during Zoom calls.
“He’s so talented and his band is so talented and I honestly think that has brought out the best in him,” said Thomas. “I think there’s honestly nothing that he can’t do.”
Click here to listen to an original, instrumental audio clip of Maples Crown, shared by Lance Rogers.
How I wrote the story: As a student at the University of Georgia on the Entertainment and Arts beat in Athens, I wanted to profile a fellow student with a compelling story to tell and Lance Rogers did not disappoint. A talented musician with a passion for the outdoors, Lance Rogers’ multidimensional passions and personality helped me learn how to be a more engaging interviewer while bringing me out of my own headspace and facilitating insightful conversation in order to get the best information out of my source.
Click here to view the beat reporting Instagram highlight or scroll below to see screenshots of the Instagram story posts of Lance Rogers.
