RTR Records is built on honesty, fairness, no trinkets or gimmicks. We thrive on transparency and extreme desire to promote a thriving Hard Rock~Metal~Hardcore culture. We publish, manage and support bands who work very hard and share RTR Records values. We are very selective, based on real creativity and strength. Our goal is to share the talent of our family of bands with the world, with some love, power and protecting them from the preying leeches of the industry. We work tirelessly to help mold them into a creative and successful band by standing on their side.

It all began back in the early 80’s when Rock and Metal began to permeate my life as a young man “seemingly smarter than anyone” what a crock that was! Heavily influenced by regional Texas bands and a truckload of amazing SUPER bands that led me into some great times, struggles and wins that eventually propelled us to where we are now as a label and organization. Let’s talk about that road traveled, the warriors who made it possible and the new supporters that are flooding in! I am so humbled.

RIDE TO ROCK was a budding concept that started in Europe after moving here in 2003. Many of my new friends listened to American rock and roll and Metal, without a real understanding of the western scene, what it was back in the day, rather jamming to the tunes with a sense of excitement, energy that caused me to realize they got cheated! We needed some action and it had to happen. At that time there were no clubs, bars or stable venues where only Rock and Metal music could be enjoyed and our lifestyle accepted, the truth is it was considered OUTLAW, well Damn right, that’s who we are, and will be forever!

During the late 70’s 80’s into the late 90’s in the Balkans, rock and roll prevailed and manifested itself to metal outlaw youth bands and endless underground energy, with amazing bands some still existing most having perished. 

It was an incredible Rock Metal movement that was painfully overshadowed in time, forced underground perhaps due to a lack of support, freedom of expression and the surge of what is called Turbo folk in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. 

I say it is purely and shamefully the severe lack of support from Western entities, powerful music promoters, famous bands and others that allowed Rock, Metal and our music to weaken. One legendary exception would be Pro-Pain who played in Serbia, from 1996 and is still revered today and an iconic band due to its support even during the roughest time. World bands played cities like Bucharest, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Skopje and Belgrade, most of the time with ticket costs damn near costing a month’s wage.
Current day there are many great Metal and Rock bands thriving in Eastern Europe, bands where we began as a label and that brings a sense of hope to us and so many.

Being a Texan, I was really under the influence of ZZ Top, Waylon Jennings (I don’t care what you think), Metallica and of course the earlier works of Pantera, AC/DC, pepper Pudding, Danzig, Motley-Crue, SRV, Nazareth, Van Halen (Sammy Haggar) Cheap Trick, Motorhead let’s say too many to list and not a single one forgotten. So, my job was to open those doors and send the past screaming into the future.

Let’s fast track forward several years 2003-16 of sweet and bitter changes, the births of my children, the workload, finding my path. Finally, the idea about gathering all generations in one place, with the metal they loved came to pass. The first event was planned one LATE night at my pub in Romania. I was slamming to Pantera’s “Cowboys from Hell” the patrons and asked me “how can we hear music like this every night!” I swore an oath to them, that from that very second until my death, they will have our music, our way, their way and to hell with any haters!

2016 SO, JUMP TIME! We started to organize a Festival, it was going to be faced with extreme opposition, being a biker, Metalhead and totally hard headed Texan Redneck what better way to shove it up the hurt hole of Anti-Metal bureaucracy and negative sentiment towards our culture!

I forcefully petitioned (In Person) the local Major to give me full access to the city park and with reluctance and a shit ton of red tape, he agreed and we finally began to put RIDE TO ROCK~ OLD TOWN FESTIVAL on the map as the largest and least attended Metal Festival ever, we didn’t care it was about US ALL of Rock and METAL.  We were met with sorrow and with some well needed joy. Sorrow came first, the Late August 2016 Earthquake in Italy had tragically claimed the lives of many Romanian Citizens, therefore I was contacted by the ministry who controls live festivals and informed we would not be allowed to proceed, due to a mandatory 3 days of mourning that disallowed any type of live music. Even though we were ready to go the next day, for the start of a three-day festival. I had to my slam my fists on the table and fight back, with respect of the fallen, we had to also count the needs of those Rock and Metal heads who were alive and how this mandatory shut down severely dampened their spirits even more! So, I did what I know best tell the damn truth and make it stick… 

I informed the ministry that the year prior, 64 died had lost their lives, 146 badly wounded in the collective nightclub tragedy. Where were their voices, who is standing up for them on a stage or at high level government sending a message of music and of belief, hope care? I stated to the minister that if he cared about anyone still alive especially Rock and Metal fans, then he would give them the chance to realize some joy and attend a free open-air festival, the first of its kind in the Trotus valley.  

In the meeting, I further proclaimed that in fact the plan was to dedicate our festival to the 64 victims and that was the truth! Hours later, realizing I had burned 8-10,000 Euros to make this a reality, thankfully he relented and asked me to follow my promise and that I did, personally. If anyone would be interested, we had a double squad of heavily armed Gendarmerie present all three days, alongside the major, his staff (which I must say were really great, the cleaners, and park staff) and other politicians patting my on the back, which still today leaves a mark. Not one fight, not one accident, bliss, that’s the joy part. Our sponsors were Pepsi, Bergienbier, and a host of local sellers who supported with food and services that made it work, we lost our shirts but damn it, we struck our line on the sand and were going to stay there. It was never approved again, it was just too many Metal Heads and bikers, in town and they didn’t have enough resources is what they claimed… Well then, the death threats came, we were evil, too loud and they hated our music… All of which I personally stood face to face with, called them out in public and the cowards relented, then apologized, WTF!  I had to bear in mind the future, otherwise, I would have cracked some teeth down into sucking airways.

2017-18 brought some incredible collaborations, as Ride to Rock, and RTR Records we were able to help organize and support with bands the First “Rock in Nis” festival which would later become R.I.N Fest. It was an incredible couple of years and a boat load of challenges, many moments of joy as well. Open air fests, 3 days by the river and at the ancient fortress in Nis, Serbia’s largest southern city. Over 35 bands performed in these years, such as Najda of “SMAK” Jenner, Motorcharge, Blondie widow, who later became Vanja Sky! Miguel Montalban the legendary guitarist performed 2 nights, Playdown, School Bus, DEADLY MOSH, War Engine, REVOLUTION, the finest male fronted blues band in the Balkans maybe the world, Bluz Masina many more to whom I will always be grateful. We were blessed to have guests from America, Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Spain, Asia, South America, OUR Bulgarian Metal brothers and a host of bikers from the region. We were sponsored by Nisko beer and local transport companies who really helped us out. Time will tell, but the politics involved in festivals has become such a burden, who knows, someday another way I never quit, anyone who had ever dealt with me is aware. I will add without the fans and the true blood warriors, we would have not moved one inch forward. I can name your names, my heart does and forever will. YOU all know who you are.  RTR Records has grown significantly over the years, with excellent bands signed from Brasil, Serbia and Croatia. We hold to our promise OLD SCHOOL~NO BULLSHIT! Check out our bands, you will not be disappointed…