Split Rock - Members Page

Bob Gardner - Drums, Percussion, Lead / Backing Vocals

Bob started his drumming career in '63 in a band with his sister. They called themselves: "Sandy and The Stingrays". In '64, he got his first summer job playing bars in a band called The Intruders. Since he was fifteen and the other guys in the band were in their early twenties, they referred to him as "Bobby". For the next twelve years, Bob/Bobby Gardner played drums for about 3,000 paid gigs in Western New York in six different rock bands. After breaking about 200 drum sticks, a dozen drum heads and four cymbals, and finally getting band members to call him Bob, he took a break from rock drumming. By that time, Bob had established a rock and roll family tradition; six of the seven children in his family played in rock bands in New York, Texas and California. He occasionally played after that for musicals, band reunions, class reunions and "sit ins" with family bands.

He started playing regularly again about four years ago and has been with Split Rock since early 2008.

We are looking for a new Lead Guitarist. (Tho still capable of playing gigs without one) If you are an Experienced & Dedicated Lead player, your name could be here! Email us. (Our prior guitarist left due to "real" job demands, and we wish him well -- Good Luck, Mark!)
	George Viscome - Bass, Keyboards, Band Tech, Website George, a native of Lake Placid, took up 6-string guitar at age 11, and formed a band in high school, which played around the Tri-Lakes, and Plattsburgh. He continued to play “the thin strings” thru his 20’s and 30’s when he worked as a technician for network TV stations in Rochester and Albany NY – mainly as a Master Control Operator. As such, he admits to being the “techie” of the band. “With a background in computers and electronics, the technical side is easy for me, and I tend to relate to that.” As a side job (and interest) he does recordings of other bands and performers, owns a small home studio, and welcomes hearing from persons or bands that might like recordings done - especially live performances. He took up playing bass (with a pick, no less) a decade ago after finally realizing that the time he enjoyed playing around with a bandmate’s bass in high school was trying to tell him something. In college he took piano and music theory courses, and on rare occasions, fills in on keyboards. “I’m a bit of a perfectionist – sometimes good is maybe not good enough, and I may be the dissenting voice” – thus, the self-labeled handle of “The Bad Guy” of the band. Over the years, George has played bass for a number of local classic rock groups, a bluegrass group, and has been "bassist on call" for local folk singer, Celia Evans. George played bass on her 2nd CD, “So Many Seasons”, and 3rd CD, "Hardwood", as well as many live performances with Celia. He enjoys a wide variety of music, but admits, “classic rock, and especially progressive and experimental rock are really my favorites – but Split Rock is simply, -- fun."
	Bill Billerman - Lead / Backing Vocals, Mandolin, Electric Guitar Bill started taking guitar lessons in fifth grade but soon gave up because the guitar and case were bigger than he was. Picked it up again at Trenton State and then moved back to the Jersey shore and was a founding member of the country rock band "Jailbait", which played regularly at clubs along the Jersey shore. Bill picked up the mandolin to add to the bands' sound and soon focused on that instrument. After several years playing with Jailbait he then formed a duo "Yukon" where he played guitar, mandolin, dobro and sang. After moving to Lake Placid, he played several times with "the Boys From Keene", a bluegrass band at Cascade ski touring. Bill then started playing with several members of "The Group" which evolved into Split Rock.
	Skip Outcalt - Lead / Backing Vocals, Acoustic / Electric Guitars Skip Outcalt has lived off and on in Saranac Lake for most of his life, moving there in 1959 when he was 10 year old. He has been playing, singing and writing music for over 45 years. He has written over 40 songs and continues to compose new music every year. He was strongly influenced by folk musicians like the Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary and particularly Bob Dylan. He was the lead singer in a rock and roll band called the "Madmen" for several years in the mid to late 60's. Throughout the 70's, 80's and 90's he continued his pursuit of music as an individual performer and in small folk groups. He also spent many years singing in a church choir and recently joined the Adirondack Singers a local chorus. He is a self-taught guitarist and considers himself basically a folk singer who loves classic rock and roll. His music reflects his life, his philosophy and the natural world of the Adirondacks.
	Bob Gardner - Drums, Percussion, Lead / Backing Vocals Bob started his drumming career in '63 in a band with his sister. They called themselves: "Sandy and The Stingrays". In '64, he got his first summer job playing bars in a band called The Intruders. Since he was fifteen and the other guys in the band were in their early twenties, they referred to him as "Bobby". For the next twelve years, Bob/Bobby Gardner played drums for about 3,000 paid gigs in Western New York in six different rock bands. After breaking about 200 drum sticks, a dozen drum heads and four cymbals, and finally getting band members to call him Bob, he took a break from rock drumming. By that time, Bob had established a rock and roll family tradition; six of the seven children in his family played in rock bands in New York, Texas and California. He occasionally played after that for musicals, band reunions, class reunions and "sit ins" with family bands. He started playing regularly again about four years ago and has been with Split Rock since early 2008.
	Valerie Rogers - Lead and Backing Vocals Val's silky vocals help give Split Rock their distinct sound. whether she's teasing out a ballad or belting out a rock anthem, Val brings the crowd to their feet time after time. Val has a long history in music as the daughter of two accomplished musicians. She grew up singing and playing trombone in school groups. She attended regional, All-State and All-New England music festivals throughout her high school years and was one of only four sopranos from Vermont invited to attend the All-Eastern Music Festival. She went on to major in music, concentrating in vocal performance. Not to be forgotten, she kept up her chops performing as a jazz trombonist in several jazz ensembles. Once out of school, she began traveling extensively for work. Although not home often, she managed to continue singing in community groups and playing with local jazz ensembles. More recently, Val has continued singing as a long-time member of the Adirondack Singers. She has been performing with them as a choral member and soloist for over 10 years. She has also been a member of the Saratoga Choral Festival for 5 years, performing with them as a choral member. She was also selected to perform in smaller “solo ensembles” on several occasions. SCF highlights include a performance of Bach’s Magnificat at the SPA Little Theater and the season finale of The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, a critically acclaimed performance of the Mahler 3rd Symphony with the Harlem Boys Choir under the direction of Charles Dutoit. Val moved into new territory when she was invited to sit in with Split Rock in mid 2008. She started off slowly singing backup but has quickly caught on to singing in a band. Her classical background has helped provide some nice harmony to the band’s already great playlist and she brings some diversity with the addition of some classic female lead tunes. Though her classical roots run deep, her Split Rock alter ego is having a great time!