RAINING HORSESHOES—THE ROCKIN’ COUNTRY BAND!!
Ideal for concerts, nightclubs, fairs, rodeos, and country music themed events!
The Norco (Horsetown USA), California-based band, Raining Horseshoes featuring lead singer Anthony Rivera, performs a unique blend of traditional and contemporary Country music. Their high-energy, honky tonk and rodeo rock n’ roll performances entertain crowds of all ages.
“You did it again…! The Saturday Rodeo Dance was packed … judging from the crowds on the dance floor – they were all very pleased with your music. You and your guys do a great job!” – Industry Hills Charity Pro Rodeo
Raining Horseshoes was formed over a decade ago when Anthony put together the band to fulfill his dream of recording and performing original country music. He released his first CD “Wish You Were Loving Me”, in May 1999. Four songs on the debut CD received radio airplay, charted and introduced the power and the sweetness of Anthony’s voice to delighted country music fans. Raining Horseshoes has opened for numerous major artists such as Asleep at the Wheel, Suzy Bogguss, Tanya Tucker, Ricky Skaggs and Ty Herndon, and Freddy Fender and the Texas Tornados.
Beginning in 2000, Raining Horseshoes focused on performing on the California Pro Rodeo circuit. Today, they continue to be a favorite on the rodeo circuit and provide concerts, the national anthem and rodeo dance entertainment for enthusiastic fans. In 2008, they recorded and released the long awaited follow-up CD entitled “Beer Bottle Brown” that has been well received by Internet radio. They have a new website and both CDs are available online.
Throughout the years the band has consisted of many talented studio and stage musicians. Anthony has been privileged and honored to work with producer Marty Rifkin and record songs by established Nashville songwriters. Currently, Raining Horseshoes consists of Anthony Rivera - lead vocals, Art Holland - lead guitar, Ian Francisco - keyboard, Steve Learned - bass, and Owen Goldman - drums. The fun and camaraderie on stage is captured in the music, and their performances always provide a crowd-pleasing show!
Currently, Raining Horseshoes entertains regularly at PRCA rodeos, clubs, private parties, fundraisers, and charity and corporate events. The band continues to look for opportunities to record and perform great country songs, entertain larger audiences, and meet new clients and fans! They are actively promoting the new CD entitled “Beer Bottle Brown”.
Raining Horseshoes performs the best of Country and Western music, from classics to the latest hits by artists like Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins, Chris Ledoux, Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, and Brooks and Dunn, including their own radio ready originals. Raining Horseshoes grabs an audience with powerful, heart-felt ballads and entertaining danceable favorites, and keeps them on their feet for hours - always yelling for more. Anthony’s strong lead vocals, tight backup harmonies and the professional musicianship of Raining Horseshoes have kept audiences entertained and dancers on the dance floor throughout the West for a decade! www.raininghorseshoes.com.
Raining Horseshoes has performed at:
* California Finals Rodeo (CFR) 2008, 2004, Norco
* Guts and Glory Bull Ride 2008 Norco
* The Gabriel Foundation's Annual Industry Hills Charity Pro Rodeo
2009/2008/2007/2006/2005/2004/ 2003/2002
* Norco HorseWeek IPRA Rodeo 2009/2008/2007/2006/2005/2004
* Orange Park Acres (OPA) Annual fundraisers 2009/2008/2007/2006
* City of Brea Annual Fourth of July Country Fair 2007/2006/2005/2004
/2003/2002/2001
* City of Brea "Brea Fest" 2009/2004
* 15th Annual Chino Fair PRCA Rodeo 2004
* 20th Annual Norco Mounted Posse PRCA Rodeo 2004
* 57th Annual Norco Valley Fair 2004
* San Bernardino County Sheriff's Rodeo 2003
* San Dimas Western Days Rodeo 2003
* City concerts including Huntington Beach (Bella Terra), Cerritos Town Center and Long Beach Town Center
* Concerts on the Lake, Woodbridge Village, City of Irvine 2006/2003
/2001/2000
* Cowboy Palace, Crazy Horse, House of Blues, Coach House, Galaxy
Concert Theatre
* "Concerts-in-the-Park" City of Brea 2002, City of La Habra 2001, City
of Placentia 2000/1999
* City of Whittier Uptown Festival 2001/2000
* City of Placentia Street Fair 2000
* City of Carson Country & Western Fair 2002/1999
* Orange County Social Services Agency & Orangewood Children's
Foundation 6th Annual 2001 Foster Parent Appreciation Banquet
Western BBQ
* Cowboys / Cowgirls for a Cure Foundation and the 43rd Annual
Portuguese Bend National Horse Show to benefit the Children's
Hospital of Los Angeles
Raining Horseshoes: Bio
Anthony Rivera - Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar
Anthony Rivera is a Norco (Horsetown USA), California-based country music artist and the lead singer of Raining Horseshoes.
Anthony is dedicated to keeping Country and Western music alive and well, and he has created new musical ground by combining styles from the past and present into an exciting sound. Whether singing in concert or at a rodeo dance he thoroughly entertains the audience, and he consistently provides crowd-pleasing performances.
“Thanks so very much-it’s nice to work with you each year-you know what the dancers want to hear, and have been so dependable year after year!” – Industry Hills Charity Pro Rodeo
Anthony has been performing professionally since 1989. He began singing solo with his acoustic guitar in clubs where he learned to connect with the melody, lyric and audience. In 1995, while working full time, he met and worked with several different musicians and songwriters, and decided it was time to form a band to record and perform his style of country music for the world. He used his business degree to create an indie record label and publishing company, and managed all aspects of the businesses for the opportunity to release a CD, and get on stage and sing! The hard work paid off and soon the band was opening for major artists such as Asleep at the Wheel, Suzy Bogguss, Tanya Tucker, Ricky Skaggs, Ty Herndon, and Freddy Fender and the Texas Tornados.
Anthony and his band Raining Horseshoes recorded and released his first full length CD, entitled “Wish You Were Loving Me, in May 1999. Four songs on the debut CD received radio attention, charted and introduced Anthony’s strong vocals to country music fans.
Since 2000, Anthony has focused on the California pro rodeo circuit providing concerts, singing the national anthem and performing at the rodeo dances. Today the band continues to be a favorite for rodeos, concerts, dances and clubs providing quality entertainment for fun loving fans. Some of the rich traditions that have influenced him are Buck Owens, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Chris LeDoux, Brooks and Dunn, Toby Keith and Alan Jackson.
In 2008, Anthony and Raining Horseshoes recorded and released the long awaited follow-up CD entitled “Beer Bottle Brown". The new CD shows the diversity of Anthony’s style and how he easily sings Friday night rockers, and traditional and contemporary styles of country music, with a voice, which leaves a lasting impression.
Currently, Anthony is promoting and performing songs from the new CD “Beer Bottle Brown” at all shows and the audience response has been tremendous as they dance and sing the lyrics to the new songs. He’s writing and looking for great country songs to record and perform, working on the new website, and also planning to produce country music videos. Anthony always looks forward to the next show and meeting new fans!
“Whether singing the tender ballad… or the honky tonk (rocker)… the power and the sweetness of Rivera’s voice are delights” – The Orange Country Register
Anthony Rivera - Adoption Story
Discovering his birth family helped country singer Anthony Rivera confirm the direction of his musical career. By Marcia Taylor. Northern Lights.
Anthony Rivera is a Norco-based country western singer and songwriter whose biography is the stuff of song. When he was six months old, he was adopted by Rudy and Anita Rivera, who had lost three babies while trying to become parents.
After adopting a second child three years later, they had two children of their own. Rivera's childhood was filled with athletics, school and singing. When he was 21, Anita Rivera died of cancer, leaving her husband and children devastated.
Seven years after her death, the family was visiting the cemetery and Rivera had an inspiration that it was time for him to search for who he really was, an objective that was supported by his adoptive family. He worked with a family friend who specialized in such searches and they found his birth mother's family only to learn that she had passed away a couple of years earlier.
Her family was eager to meet him and invited him to attend its Christmas gathering. When he met his cousins, he learned that many were in the music business either as performers or on the business side.
"It made me realize that the reason I always wanted to sing and play the guitar was that it was in the blood," Rivera said. "After meeting them, I felt more confident; it rooted me to the stage"
About six months later, Rivera decided to find his father. When they finally met, it was a shock to both of them.
"I looked just like him," said Rivera with a laugh. Then, his father gave him something very special, the parting gift that his mother had given to him - a ring shaped like a horseshoe studded with small diamonds.
Now, when Rivera stands on stage and sings, he feels completely at home because his feet are rooted on the stage and his hand holding the microphone wears that special ring.
It's like a complete circle," he explained. "I feel so lucky for everything; I feel like when I'm on stage, it's raining horseshoes."
--
End of Excerpt from the article: LOOKING BACK TO HIS FUTURE
Art Holland - Lead Guitar
Art Holland is a talented, versatile and downright wonderful guitarist. His smile is as recognizable as his tasteful playing. Art is a "guitarist's-guitarist," who has developed his equipment to compliment his playing style, and his playing style to compliment his equipment. With years of playing under his belt, Art has done everything musically from road work to sessions to stage performances to producing. Art is a complete pro on acoustic, electric, slide, and baritone guitar, plus, he plays a mean mandolin. Art also has a long history of singing lead, backup, and harmony vocals. He is good at what he does, and Art has nothing but good references to confirm that!
Art's music career began early in his teens, playing guitar at age 15 in San Diego, California. He played in jazz ensemble bands & pit bands for plays in High School & College. After graduation from San Diego State College, Art turned professional, embarking on a tour of Alaska, Canada & the U.S. with the popular R&B band, Cinnamon. After that tour, Art returned to San Diego where he continued to hone his artistic skills, expand his musical and vocal knowledge and abilities, and work non-stop. He still works non-stop, having been in great musical demand for over 30 years. Art's talents have led him to many star-studded shows. Over the years, Art has played with members of Santana, Oingo Boingo, Crosby Stills & Nash, The Beach Boys, The Desert Rose Band, Dolly Parton, Boy Howdy, Deep Purple, Minnie Riperton, The Four Seasons, The Association, Nancy Sinatra and many others. Art has had endorsements from Fender/Guild, Music Man over the years and loves their products.
Ian Francisco - Keyboard
Bringing his extraordinary skills to the table, Ian Francisco is an accomplished keyboard player with a Bachelors degree in Music Composition from UCLA. He has been a working musician since before he graduated from high school and has worked with various bands and artists such as Johnny Lee, Anthony Rivera, and has been the opening act for Freddy Fender, Merle Haggard, Pam Tillis and many others. While his roots are in Broadway, country music, jazz and blues, he is very versatile and puts flavor, soul and spice to all styles. He is currently the musical director & conductor for San Marino High School’s Performing Arts annual musicals. Ian is a very talented musician with humility to match. His favorite motto is: “There is no limit to what can be accomplished when no one takes the credit.” – John Wooden
Steve Learned - Bass Guitar
Steve Learned has been performing in the Southern California area for thirty years, sharing venues with such notables as Rick Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dave Mason, Pat Boone, The Kingston Trio, and Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers. He has played several times at the Golden Boot Award Presentation in Hollywood, where he backed Randy Travis. In November 1984 Steve shared the stage with Lee Greenwood at the Republican National Headquarters, on the evening that President Ronald Reagan was reelected. Steve works in Las Vegas several times a year with The McKenna Medley Band, which is produced by McKenna’s father, Bill Medley. Steve started working with Raining Horseshoes in 2002 and he brings his experience, enthusiasm and love to play to the stage every time he performs.