Citizen Kern - Rockwell

Written by Bakersfield Magazine

Personal Stats:

Name: Rockwell

Age: 44

Birthplace: Sonora, CA

Title: President & CEO of Rockwell’s Trout’s Blackboard; Entrepreneur

How he got started: This community-minded businessman has been running companies since he was a teenager, starting with a video cassette rental store. While he did his fair share of country dancing at Trout’s in the early ‘90s it wasn’t until 1999 that Rockwell officially came on board to work with Vern Hoover to give Trout’s a shot in the arm. Even though he produces and co-hosts numerous shows and RFD-TV’s TruCountry (currently filmed in Texas), he puts the Trout’s community, including musicians and longtime patrons, first.

Career highlights: During one of his trips to Texas, Rockwell decided to drive (rather than fly) and asked a filmmaker/photographer from Hectic Films to tag along as he lined up dozens of artists and asked them to perform. The road trip garnered major attention and upon arriving home, Rockwell was greeted by the crew from County Music Television (CMT) and Mark McGraw wanting the scoop.

His favorite part of the industry: You wouldn’t think it would get any better than seeing Red Simpson and other Bakersfield Sound pioneers play every night, performing onstage with guitar greats (like Brian Lonbeck) as part of the Blackboard Playboys, or spending time with amazing honky tonk artists day in and day out, but Rockwell loves being able to support the community any way he can. He invites nonprofits to host charity events at Trout’s (free of charge) and he’s also a proponent of giving a local artist or band a chance to shine onstage.

His heroes: It would be a little strange if someone in this industry didn’t mention Buck Owens and his sister Dorothy as influences, but it’s true. Musician Bobby Durham also influenced Rockwell. “He gave me examples of what to do and what not to do.” First and foremost, though, this Bakersfield Sound-promoting guy’s biggest hero is his 7th grade wood shop teacher.

What he’d still like to accomplish: Rockwell consistently turns a spotlight on Trout’s and the local country music scene with the Rockwell OPRY, a weekly TV program he produces that airs on Bright House Networks, but he’ll be turning that into a TV network later this fall. When all is said and done, he yearns to get more people involved in our community and enforce upon them the importance of supporting local history, culture, and business.

Photo Courtesy of davidkarnowski.com

Article appeared in our 28-4 Issue - October 2011