Johnny Smoke (3)

JOHNNY SMOKE is a rock band that has been playing in concert clubs and at festivals around Central and Western New York for many years. Dubbed "Rochester's Aerosmith" by local radio personality, Unkle Roger (RIP), word of their crowd-pleasing, high-energy performances quickly spread throughout the area. Over time they have had the opportunity to share the stage with several national artists over the years, including surf-guitar legend Dick Dale, and Firehouse. They followed their victory at The Made In Rochester Competition in 1999 with the release of their debut disc, Crime Don’t Pay Yet!! in 2000. The CD received airplay in the local showcases on stations in the Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo markets; and music from the album was used in commercials to promote the sports programming on WCMF 96.5 fm. The band’s second disc, For A Dollar, was released in April of 2007. This ten-song salute to Passion, Truth, Justice, and The American Way demonstrates their classic rock influences with songs that are raw reflections of modern life in the free world. The instantly likeable What I Love About America was chosen as the Official Home Victory Song for the Rochester Red Wings, and is played after every win at Frontier Field. The tune appears on the band's August 2012 EP release THRE3. The group has also built a strong reputation for their authentic renditions of guitar-rock favorites with a set list that includes music from Aerosmith, The Who, Stone Temple Pilots, Bush, and Collective Soul. But they are best known for being the finest in the region when it comes to playing songs from Led Zeppelin.