THE MOST INSPIRING, DEDICATED AND TALENTED ROCK BAND YOU MAY NOT KNOW... BUT SHOULD!

December 2020

By Dan Courtney

I would like to share my story, friendship and introduce you to the most incredible, inspiring and dedicated band of musicians in the US. A group of humble and dedicate musicians that have poured their entire souls, hearts and lives into the music industry. A group of individuals that I have witnessed pay their dues and are set to take over the industry!

Meet Royal Bliss! Neal Middleton - Lead Vocals, Guitar; Taylor Richards - Guitar; Jake Smith - Drums and Brian Hennesy - Bass guitar! 

My story and relationship with Royal Bliss began in 2002. I was working for Anheuser-Busch in the state of Utah. That year, Anheuser-Busch launched a national program called Budweiser True Music, which would bring together the top bands from every state in the US. As the manager for the state of Utah, I was charged with seeking out, interviewing, and uncovering the best and most talent band in the state to join the national program for Anheuser-Busch. After months of looking at talent, attending shows and gathering opinions from key music and venue owners, I narrowed in on an amazing band that was young and talented, called Royal Bliss. 

After getting to know the lead singer Neal Middleton and other members, I was ready to submit them into the national program. They were selected and over the coming months we were ready to introduce Royal Bliss to the world. I was able to get them included in a Rolling Stone Magazine article that Anheuser-Busch put out to kick off this program. 

Over the course of 2002, into 2004/05, I saw them grow first-hand. I got to learn who they were as individuals and watched them fight through incredible sets backs. Somehow through it all, I always had such a good feeling about their future. They just seemed to have it and want it!  

However, I couldn’t have possibly seen or guessed what would happen over the next 18 years. How could a lucky pick turn into a lifelong friendship. How could I be blessed to witness first-hand the incredible struggles, successes, failures, more successes, steps forward and more backwards, but all along be blessed to watch GREATNESS being born and EARNED!  

The struggles and passion to succeed is what makes them GREAT! They never once whined, or cried about it or decided to quit! They never gave up on their DREAMS! They powered on in the face of great obstacles and setbacks. They simply played, recorded, wrote, toured, and did it over and over again!  Year after year, coming up on 20+ years now!!! They hit the road again and again making friends and playing show after show across the US. Somehow year after year, they found a way to move forward, even if the bus broke down or they were low on money!

They simply kept moving closer to their DREAMS!  The story of Royal Bliss is beyond inspiring and real to core! It’s an incredible testament to a group of individuals commitment to success! While tens of thousands of bands failed from 2000 – 2020, they did not. They found a way! Their music and lyrics tell the stories of the fight and speaks of their love for simply playing for the people…THE FANS!  I feel blessed in the year 2020 to have watched this happen, and feel the need to share with the world. This group of lifelong friends has inspired me on many days when I wanted to quit or give up on my dreams, but seeing them fight on has always keep me going forward!

 For this I am thankful, grateful and blessed.

Below are some highlights of this amazing band! Please check them out, download their music and join the ride in 2021 and beyond!

LIFE ON THE ROAD 2014 to2020!