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t's one of the greatest feelings in the world ... standing on the state where the "King" had stood. "It was really an adrenaline rush the first time I stood where Elvis had played at Bob Kings in Swifton,"Rogers said.
In the years that followed, Rogers went on to share the stage with Jerry Reed, B.J. Thomas, Billy Joe Royal, the Platters, the Drifters, the Coasters and Earl Thomas Conley, just to name a few. He even had the opportunity to play with Elvis' band. Not too shaddy for someone who had spent his formative years in a Pocahontas housing project.

Rogers was introduced to music at a very young age by his uncle, Raymond Carson, who played a number of instruments and had one of the first radio shows in Arkansas. Rogers got his first guitar at age 6 and was soon picking out tunes. Seven years later he was the proud owner of his first electric guitar.

"I had the complete support of mom and dad (the late Delbert and Sylvia Rogers) who never complained about me making noise," Rogers said. "mom even wrote for the paper all the big news of the housing project on Bluff Drive."

        A 1970 graduate of Pocahoontas High School, Rogers went on to find a few good buddies and start a band. To support his music, Rogers held various jobs: he set bowling pins for Paul Baltz at the bowling alley, worked at Mays Music Store, worked as a welder at Pocahontas Aluminum, serviced electronics for that late Jim McDaniel at McDaniel's Hardware, as well as working for the late Elwood Smith at Smith's Ford and Mercury.

       He later moved to Walnut Ridge and was employed as a U.S. mail carrier, along with othe jobs. While also playing music . In trhe '80's Rogers' tune " The Clock on the Wall" was on the national charts for 10 consecutive weeks. During this time the talented musician, who had now added harmonica to his list of musical attributes, became a self-taught pianist and bass player.
       "This time it was a necessity," Rogers said. "I started playing piano when my player quit and then when my bass player left, I began playing bass, which was not pretty at the start."

         Following the death of his son, Janson , in a car accident , Rogers threw his hat into the political ring. "you know you can either sit around and complain about things, or you can try to make a didfference," Rogers siaid, "so I ran for office."
         Rogers spent two years as a Walnut Ridge Alderman before making a bid for mayor. He was mayor of Walnut Ridge , aposition his wife, Michelle, now holds, for eight years, and for the past six years has been a state representative for District 73, Rogers owns three All Star music stores located in Jonesboro, Popular Bluff and Batesville. He is now in the planning stages of openting a business in Walnut Ridge that will carry Sun Recording Studio memorabilia as well as Rock 'n' Roll Highwasy 67 souvenirs.
         "When I was a boy growing up in that housing project in Pocahontas I never thought that one day I would play with Elvis' band," Rogers said. "I've been very lucky to achieve what I've achieved."

Those achievements are due in part to those who came before.
"I've had the opportunity to travel with Sonny Burgess, a Sun recording star, and have played guitar along side him," Rogers said. "This is why I wanted passage of the Highway 67 bill - to pay tribute to those who have worked so hard to bring this form of music to life."

Rock 'n' Roll greats, from left, Billy Riley, J.R. Rogers and Sonny Burgess set the tone for the March singing of a bill designation U.S. Hwy. 67 in Randolph, Lawrence and Jackson counties as "Rock 'n' Roll Hwy. 67 at the state capilol building in Little Rock.

ll around Pocahontas' historic downtown square, and along Hwy.67, the sounds of the '50s and '60s music will be heard again; this time in tribute to the musicians who traveled uyp and down Hwy. 67 promoting their music. Pocahontas, and Northeast Arkansas, played a key role in the growth of rock'n'roll and organizers of the inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67 Festival are hoping the event will not only preserve that history, but also spark an interest in the area where many of the legendary Sun recording artists got their start. District 73 State Representative J.R. Rogers introduced the bill and said the opportunities are endless for boosting the economy in Northeast Arkansas.

"This is my last term and I thought this would be something that could last forever," Rogers said. "But you can only get out of anything what you're willing to put into it. If we work and push it Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67 could become to Northeast Arkansas what Beale Street is for Memphis. It could be a big tourist draw and bring money into our towns.

The Rock 'n' Roll Hwy. 67 Festival is a tool in which to keep the flame burning and the music alive for future generations. Roges'along with Sun recording artist Sonny Burgess and the Pacers, will be among the performers at the Oct. 3 event while the late Billy Lee Riley, Who also recorded at Sun, will be the festival's first honoree.