Vocalist Sonya Leigh Surrett played piano and drums as a kid. As an adult, she wondered one night how musicians joined bands. By chance, a band clocked her at a karaoke night singing “Dog and Butterfly” by the rock group Heart. She talked to the guitar player, mentioned she had bought a new electronic drum set, and received an offer to play drums for the group. They liked her enough to bring her into a gig a few months later, for which she learned 40 songs on drums in a couple of weeks.
Bassist Scott “Scottie Blue Sky” Rogers, meanwhile, was told by his father that he wasn’t smart enough to be a musician. It wasn’t until his adult years, recovering from a knee injury, that his first wife bought him a short scale bass, and during recovery, his friends came over and taught him how to play. Eventually, a group he played with was signed to a major label, and they started touring. Once touring wrapped up, Rogers moved to Denver, a place that stuck out to him during the tour.
Rogers worked on Surrett’s sprinklers after moving there, and after a while, it became clear there was more to their connection. They ultimately married in December of 2012, having discovered their mutual love of music. After playing together for a while, a connection in McCarthy’s Pub in Longmont asked the two to put together an all-stars show. Gathering friends and creating a setlist, they formed a lineup ultimately dubbed Sisters of Rock.
The name came from two of the original members, who were actually sisters. It has nothing to do with a lesser-known 90s song by Little Sister titled “Sisters of Rock,” but was rather inspired by the majority of the lineup consisting of women and the desire to make the band feel like a family. However, Sisters of Rock is an offshoot of the Heart tribute group Dreamboat Annie, which lifted its name from Heart’s 1975 album.
From Dreamboat Annie came Sisters of Rock, and from Sisters of Rock came another offshoot group, The Ladies of the 80s. The Ladies formed to allow the members to emphasize family-friendly performances. The members even perform in a rock/funk/dance group called The Corporation. Through all of these variations, the members have expanded their list of songs from female legends of the time to 80s hits in general to a wide range of artists across six decades.
Just to name a few, Sisters of Rock now includes songs from Journey, Maroon 5, Blondie, Stevie Nicks, Tina Turner, Adele, and Dua Lipa in their setlist. In a lot of ways, it’s a complete 180 for Surrett as a musician. She’s written original material inspired by singer-songwriters such as Sarah McLachlan and Jewel, and only more recently has she fallen in love with the heavier side of music, such as rock-and-roll and country.
Rogers says the biggest hit of their lineup is usually Dreamboat Annie’s “Heart of Zeppelin” shows, which combine hits from Heart as well as from Led Zeppelin. This is because Surrett has found a way to completely embody the style of Heart’s vocalist Ann Wilson in those shows. Surrett would say that if you had asked her about her singing when she was younger, she would have said she couldn’t sing heavier material. Now, those heavier styles are her primary focus.
The lineup also consists of drummer David Harms, keyboard player Michael Taggart, and guitar player Robb Warnke, all of who are prominent Denver musicians and the last of whom has been with Sisters since its inception. The lineup of women changes every show, but often includes Lizzie Sneed and Ryan Smiley. Rogers has also shared bass duties with Greg Blankenship, and Robin Jones has sometimes contributed vocals, particularly in The Corporation.
Rogers loves seeing the happy reactions of their crowds, and Surrett loves how every show feels unique and allows audiences to create memories of the time they spend there. Rogers hopes people are able to appreciate the band’s work ethic and the renditions of the songs they choose, and he and Surrett both love the feeling of knowing they’ve made their audience happy, no matter the venue’s size.
You can see the Sisters of Rock performing at the Gregory Plaza, near 317 Gregory Street in Black Hawk (the address of the Mountain Poppy Boutique), as part of a series of shows sponsored by the Black Hawk HARD District. They’ll be performing on Saturday, September 14, 2024, starting at 5 p.m. To learn more about each iteration of the group, be sure to head to the band’s websites at thecorporationband.com and at dreamboatanniedenver.com, and be sure to check out Sisters of Rock on Facebook.
Music Events
Busey Brews
Friday, September 6 at 4 p.m. - Windy Pines
Sunday, September 8 at 2 p.m. - Jon Picket
Sunday, September 22 at 2 p.m. - Pineytops Duo
Sunday, September 15 at 2 p.m. - Ella Wren
Sunday, September 29 at 2 p.m. - Dan Williams Trio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuseyBrews/
Website: https://buseybrews.com/
Location: 70 E. 1st Street, Nederland
Phone: 1-855-633-2739
Gold Hill Inn
Friday, September 6 at 8 p.m. - Rob Pate and d’Lovelies
Saturday, September 7 at 5:30 p.m. - Cup-a-Jo (Joe Oeser Duo)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldHillInn/
Website: goldhillinn.com
Location: 401 Main Street, Gold Hill
Phone: 303-443-6461
Gold Hill Store
Thursday, September 12 at 7 p.m. - Matt Mitchell Music Co.
Friday, September 13 at 8 p.m. - Ollella
Saturday, September 14 at 7 p.m. - Silver Steven
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gold-Hill-General-Store/
Website: https://www.goldhillstore.com/
Location: 531 Main Street, Gold Hill
Gregory Plaza
Saturday, September 14 at 5 p.m. - The Sisters of Rock
Saturday, September 28 at noon - Jennifer DeDominici and Jonathon Hayes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackhawksharddistrict/
Website: https://blackhawkharddistrict.com/
Location: 317 Gregory Street, Black Hawk (Mountain Poppy Boutique)
Phone: 720-669-0665
Howlin Wind Brewing
Saturday, September 7 at 5 p.m. - Kind Mountain Band
Saturday, September 14 at 4 p.m. - Windy Pines
Sunday, September 15 at 3 p.m. - Matt Mitchell Music Co.
Saturday, September 21 at 4 p.m. - Steepland String Band
Sunday, September 22 all day - Pop up with Justin Rice
Saturday, September 28 at 5 p.m. - NoGo Gilbillies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howlinwindbrewing
Website: https://www.howlinwindbrewing.com/
Location: 51 A Main Street, Rollinsville
Phone: 309-825-5245
Jamestown Mercantile
Thursday, September 5 at 7 p.m. - Salomé Songbird
Sunday, September 8 at 12:15 p.m. - John Statz
Wednesday, September 11 at 5 p.m. - Open Mic
Thursday, September 12 at 7 p.m. - Violet Breeze
Friday, September 13 at 7 p.m. - Pass the Snakes
Sunday, September 15 at 12:15 p.m. - Foggy Tops Bluegrass Band
Wednesday, September 18 at 5 p.m. - Open Mic
Wednesday, September 18 at 6 p.m. - Mike Clark and The Sugar Sounds Duo
Thursday, September 19 at 7 p.m. - Johnny Blueheart
Wednesday, September 25 at 5 p.m. - Open Mic
Thursday, September 26 at 7 p.m. - Unpaid Bills
Friday, September 27 at 7 p.m. - Fast Floyd
Sunday, September 29 at 12:15 p.m. - The Matt Katters
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamestown.mercantile/
Website: https://www.jamestownmercantile.com/
Location: 108 Main Street, Jamestown
Phone: 303-442-5847
JKQ BBQ
Friday, September 6 at 6 p.m. - Duey Weibel
Saturday, September 7 at 5 p.m. - Duey Weibel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JkqBbq/
Location: 200 Gregory Street, Black Hawk
Phone: 720-316-1361
Knotted Root Brewing
Saturday, September 7 at 5 p.m. - Tyler Stuckey
Saturday, September 14 at 5 p.m. - New Family Dog
Saturday, September 21 at 5 p.m. - Break Signals
Saturday, September 28 at 5 p.m. - Gratefully Acoustic
Fridays at 7 p.m. - DJ Night
Every Second Friday at 7:30 p.m. - Reggae DJ Night
Sundays at 5 p.m. - Jazz Sundays
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knottedrootbrewing/
Website: https://www.knottedrootbrewing.com/home
Location: 250 N. Caribou Street, Nederland
Phone: 720-248-7129
Nederland Farmers Market
Sunday, September 15 at 10:30 a.m. - Stellar Jays Duo
Sunday, September 29 at noon - Kutandara
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NederlandFarmersMarket/
Website: https://www.nederlandfarmersmarket.org/
Email: nederlandfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Location: 85 E. 1st Street, Nederland and 80 E. 2nd Street, Nederland
Old Gallery at Allenspark
Friday, September 6 at 6 p.m. - Chain Station
Friday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m. - Open Mic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAPOldGallery
Website: https://www.theoldgallery.org/
Location: 14863 Highway 7, Allenspark
Phone: 303-747-2906
The Caribou Room
Saturday, September 7 at 7 p.m. - THE CARIBOU KICK-OFF Season Opening Party with Smooth Money Gesture & River Spell with Bear Hat
Friday, September 13 at 7 p.m. - George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners w/ Damon Wood’s Harmonious Junk
Saturday, September 21 at 7 p.m. - White Trash Adult Prom
Friday, September 27 at 7 p.m. - Tom Hamilton (guitarist for Joe Russo’s Almost Dead & Billy and the Kids) with full band with Cole & Eric from Dragondeer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaribouroom/
Instagram: thecaribouroom
Website: https://www.thecaribouroom.com
Location: 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland
Phone: 303-258-3637
Very Nice Brewing Co. (Gilpin County)
Friday, September 6 at 6 p.m. - Derek Dames Ohl
Saturday, September 7 at 5 p.m. - The Lofty Pines
Friday, September 13 at 6 p.m. - Poorfree
Saturday, September 14 at 5 p.m. - Tony Crank
Friday, September 20 at 6 p.m. - David Tilmon
Saturday, September 21 at 5 p.m. - Windy Pines
Friday, September 27 at 6 p.m. - Ella Wren
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verynicebeer
Website: https://www.verynicebrewing.com/
Location: 180 Jankowski Drive, Black Hawk
Phone: 303-582-2015
Very Nice Brewing Co. (Nederland)
Friday, September 6 at 6 p.m. - Aaron Mitchell
Saturday, September 7 at 5 p.m. - One Drum
Friday, September 13 at 6 p.m. - Mad Dog Blues
Saturday, September 21 at 5 p.m. - Chris Smith
Saturday, September 28 at 5 p.m. - Mountain ReVerb
Sunday, September 29 at 5 p.m. - Rick Lobato
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verynicebeer
Website: https://www.verynicebrewing.com/
Location: 20 E. Lakeview Drive, #112, Nederland
Phone: 303-258-3770
Did we miss you? Want to submit your music listing in the Peak to Peak area? Do you have updates to your business? Please call 303-810-5409 or email info@themountainear.com to be included in the next edition.
