You’ve gotta love this digital age we live in. I recently sat down (at my computer on Facebook) for an in-depth interview (via Messenger) with Statesboro’s newest band to hit the scene. Just over a month out from their Boro debut, I chatted with Jerry Roberson, Frank Farr, Sean Kent and Kendall Hadden who, together with Jay Stewart, make up “The Dukes.” Between some good-natured ribbing and a few wisecracks, they filled me in on the details of how they band came to be.

BH: Who's idea was it to start the band? How did each of you get involved?

Jerry: When Frank and I played the Patsy Cline show at the Averitt Center, we talked about starting a band because we realized how much we missed playing. It had been a while. Frank contacted Jay Stewart and Sean Kent. Our friend Nathan Smith couldn’t join, but said he knew a great singer from Swainsboro named Kendall Hadden.

BH: Frank, you toured with snow for a while, right? How long?

Frank: Oh, yeah. We toured for seven years. Of course, Chip (fellow bandmate Chip Martin) sold a tune to Randy Meisner from Eagles, “Love Me Or Leave Me Alone,” for his solo album back in the 80s during the Snow band days. We all played on that one.

Brandi: Wow. That's impressive. Were y’all based in Nashville?

Frank: Well they were from from all over - Virginia Beach, Virginia; Portland, Maine. When I joined them they were considered a Jacksonville band.

BH: And Jerry, you were in Nashville for a while, correct?

Jerry: I never lived there just spent a lot of time there pitching songs and had small increments of success but nothing big. I had some cuts, but not by Major artists other than Moe Bandy on the 80s.

BH: Still, having a name like that pick up your song is kinda huge! Sean, how did you meet these guys?

Sean: I’ve known them all for years. I taught two of Frank’s three kids when I was a school teacher, and I went to church with Jerry years ago, and went to high school with members of Jay’s family.

I’ve only known Kendall since this band though...but I love him best. LOL

Kendall: Haha!! I’m the unknown!

BH: So, it's gonna sound like a lot, but all told, you guys have over 50 years of experience in the music business combined, right?

Kendall: 27 years on the road for me

Jerry: Get out of the road Kendall you're going to get run over!

Sean: I’ve played in band since I was 17, but I don’t have the “professional” background these guys do. I was a worship leader at a couple churches and had an album on iTunes for awhile (that Frank produced for me).

BH: Of course, Sean, you were in the most well known and loved band in Statesboro, Squawk Box. :)  And Kendall?

Kendall: I spent 4 years full time traveling the world. The last 19 have been regional doing about 100 dates per year.

Sean: See? Kendall is the coolest! HaHa.

BH: Yup. He wins!

Kendall: Started out in an R&B boy band at 18.

BH: Who did you tour with internationally?

Sean: The Backstreet Boys! Haha. Just kidding.

Frank: LOL

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