*Best of the Best
Seguin Gazette Enterprise,
Special Edition: Best of the Best, January 2008
Best Local Band “The Harleys!”
Other Awards ….
Musicians on a Mission make more than just Music
Rockin’ with a Cause
2006 Citizens of the Year
The Harleys
By Melissa Johnson – Gazette Enterprise
reprinted with permission
The twangs of a guitar, the clash of cymbals and squeal of feedback echoing across John Masterson’s garage provide the backdrop for the 2006 Gazette Enterprise Citizens of the Year.
This year’s award goes out to not one, but several Seguinites who have provided good tunes for even better causes – Masterson, Greg Ronning, Mike McGrew, Mike Story, Rick Bowerman, Ron Sozzi and Craig Hayden – past and present members of classic rock and roll benefit band The Harleys.
Since they formed in the middle of 2001, The Harleys have raised more than $200,000 for local charities such as Seguin Youth Services, Seguin Area Recovery, and the Seguin Main Street Program, among many, many others.
The band, which has gone on to open for such notable acts as Two Tons of Steel and the Derailers, started with humble beginnings that include a youth worship service and motorcycle named “Sunshine.” The group first formed when Ronning the lead singer and Texas Lutheran University campus pastor, recruited fellow faculty members to play a cover of the Steppenwolf classic “Born to be Wild” for about 200 students attending a fellowship camp.
“It was the closing worship service, and that was the theme song,” explained Ronning while sitting with his bandmates Masterson, McGrew, and Story in the TLU Provost Office,
For the grand finale, band members wailed on their guitars and wheeled Masterson’s Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide into the chapel.
“It was a lot of fun, and the kids really enjoyed it, “Masterson said.
And the campers weren’t the only ones who loved the act. Soon after the service, Relay for Life organizers asked if the group would be interested in playing their benefit. The members agreed, and when it came time to hand in a name, there was only one obvious choice.”
“We told them we were The Harleys, of course,” Ronning said.
But before the band went on stage to play its first major benefit, the members decided they had better practice their set list on friends and family at Austin Street Live.
The idea behind a band that plays solely to support local charities was born out of the tip jar that Tuesday night when a “motley group” of more than 100 showed up for the show.
At the end of its set, the band was left with about $35 and a burning question – how to spend the cash.
“When we sat there after the show wondering what to do with the money, that was when the idea of a charity band came to mind,” Masterson said.
“We thought ‘what on earth are we going to do with this?’ If we take the money, then this is work, but if we can play together and raise money for good causes, then this is fun, and this is what we should do.”
In what became a long legacy of charitable giving, the band decided to give its first collection to the Christian Cupboard. After playing at Relay for Life, private parties were soon asking The Harleys to perform at weddings and family reunions.
“At first, we said ‘We don’t do that, we only play for charity,” Masterson said. “But they were persistent and kept asking ‘What will it take?’ So we said $1,000 donated to a charity of our choice.”
And to the band’s surprise, the party agreed. The group said there’s a unique collections of reasons that make wedding parties want to shell out a grand for their guests to hear locals playing Rolling Stones and Beatles covers.
“I think people love classic rock and roll and the idea of a charity band – that appeals to them, too,” Ronning said.
“And a lot of people come to laugh at us,” Masterson said. “But then they’re surprised when we’re not that bad.”
McGrew added that they try to keep their Elvis, Eagles, and Monkees covers as true to life as possible so people can sing along. But on a serious note, he said the support the band receives from the community has a lot to do with the public’s desire to support local philanthropy.
“People come out to hear us, but it’s not because of us that they come out – its because of the causes we support,” McGrew said. “And their support makes it more rewarding for us.”
The reward and the band camaraderie is what keeps the Harleys rolling through an average of two benefits a month and weekly garage practice amidst day jobs that include pastor, TLU Vice President, Center for Professional Development director, IT Manager, and Home Depot associate.
“For us, it’s as much about the friendship and fun as it is about the music,” McGrew said.
The Harleys Selected “Volunteers of the
Year” by the Seguin Mainstreet Program!
Volunteers, Downtowner of the Year named, April 3, 2009 Seguin Daily News
Melvin Voight, owner of The Oak, was honored Friday as the Downtowner of the Year by the Seguin Main Street program.
The non-profit band, The Harleys, were recognized Friday as the Volunteers of the Year by the Seguin Main Street program.
(Seguin) — Four local men were all smiles Friday as they were presented awards amongst the roses at the annual Moonlight and Roses event in downtown Seguin. Melvin Voight, owner of The Oak, was named the 2008 Downtowner of the Year by the Seguin Main Street program at the gathering. The not-for-profit band The Harleys also received recognition at the event as the 2008 Volunteers of the Year.
Audra Schulz, Main Street program chair, says that Voight was chosen as the Downtowner of the Year for his many contributions to the community over the years.
“We just realized that Melvin is one of those people that’s just always been here in Seguin and maybe he got overlooked because of that. So we’re so happy to be able to give him that award because he’s always there. He’s always around to help Mary Jo (Filip) whenever she needs help. He’s always willing to donate the area of The Oak, outside of his property, to have Hats Off to Juan Seguin and all those events right there at The Oak. So we really thought that was the best choice we could make this year was Melvin Voight,” said Schulz.
After he was presented with a plaque and the honor, Voight said that he was proud to be recognized by the Main Street Program as the Downtowner of the Year.
“I’ve worked very hard to enhance the Seguin downtown for 28 years now. I will continue to do that as long as I’m alive because we’ve had The Oak now for 50 years in our family. It’s the second oldest contiuous alcohol license beverage bar in the state of Texas with no closures. I’m very proud of my father for turning it over to me after he passed away,” said Voight. “I enjoy being a pillar of the community because The Heritage Museum is right across the street. City Hall is right along my left side door. The county courthouse is a block away, and of course the old State Bank is half a block away.”
Voight, who attended Moonlight and Roses with family and friends, says that he looks forward to future of Seguin.
“With Seguin’s growth, with Caterpillar coming to town, we have a bunch of people coming into my location every week. It’s great to turn people on to the charm that we have in Seguin, Texas. South Central Texas and Seguin, Texas is an important part of my life. I’ve been here all my life, and I love being in downtown Seguin,” said Voight.
A band that also loves being in downtown Seguin was recognized Friday alongside Voight. Schulz says that the non-profit group, The Harleys, was recognized as the Volunteers of the Year for their contributions to the downtown area.
“We selected The Harleys because they’ve donated so much of their time in the past to all kinds of different events downtown and organizations. We think it’s a really neat thing that they’re willing to go out and do something that they love,” said Schulz.
Band members John Masterson, Mike McGrew and Greg Ronning were all on-hand for the ceremony. Masterson says that he was absolutely delighted to be named the Volunteers of the Year.
“Main Street does so many good things for the city of Seguin and it’s wonderful to be honored by someone who themselves should be honored,” said Masterson.
The humble group said that they were honored by the recognition by the Main Street Program, which works to revitalize the downtown area.
“We love downtown and we’re proud to get the award. We love playing, so twist our arms and we’ll do it,” said Ronning.
McGrew says that for the group, it’s all about being able to play their music for the community to raise funds for worthwhile projects.
“I think every city that is really growing and vibrant has an active downtown program of some sort. So we really believe in that,” said McGrew. “It is great to do something we love, which is play music and be able to enjoy our friendship and be able to do something good to help others. That’s what it’s about for us.”
The group, which also includes Matt Grahn, has been playing together in Seguin for eight years.
John Masterson said it best when he stood on the podium Friday night and held the plaque presented to “The Harleys” for the 2006 Citizen of the Year award.
“You do it because it feels good,” Masterson said in reference to the volunteer efforts the Harleys have become known for.
Masterson could not have been more right.
Someone with the desire to make their home a better place to live for everyone else shouldn’t make it an arduous endeavor, but a labor of love.
And for the Harleys, the efforts they have tirelessly put forth to make Seguin a better community have been just that.
The love of community runs deep in many who call the Seguin area home. Also recognized with the presentation of VISION awards were three of Seguin’s finest citizens.
Who wouldn’t want a humble Edward Davila, a tireless Harold Bogisch or a hardworking and cheerful Kay Martin in their community?
Like the Harleys, they have chosen to call Seguin home and use their time and efforts to make Seguin a better place for everyone.
The four winners are not only the epitome of hard work, but they are also examples of what it truly means to be a citizen.
Any Tom, Dick or Harriet can be a lifetime resident of a community. There is virtually no requirement, other than a mailing address, to be a resident of a community.
To be a citizen requires something much deeper. To truly be a citizen requires a love for a community that makes you want to go out, pick up a shovel and dig, to take a pair of pruning shears and trim or reach out a helping hand and help when someone needs it most.
It is the spirit of caring that makes all of these people, not just important people in the community and not just winners, but outstanding citizens.