Rock Instructors

Camp Jam's Rock Star Instructors

jeff carlisi

Jeff Carlisi | Atlanta

Jeff Carlisi is the original guitarist and songwriter for the classic southern rock band .38 Special, who boasted five platinum albums during the 1980s. The Special are best known for their mega-hit songs like "Caught Up In You," "Second Chance," and "Hold On Loosely."

Today, Carlisi is helping young aspiring musicians make their rock star dreams come true with Camp Jam, which he co-founded in 2004. Jeff tries to visit each of the camps at least once every summer. He can often be seen perusing the halls giving the kids tips on riffs, telling funny stories, and jammin’ with the campers.

liberty devitto

Known as the quintessential “songwriter’s drummer,” DeVitto was the drummer for Billy Joel for more than 30 years, supplying the rhythmic framework for Joel’s multi-platinum hit albums (150 million sold) and legendary live concerts.

DeVitto has been a session drummer on numerous recordings and has played live with artists such as Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Stevie Nicks, Chuck Berry, and Elton John. Liberty is a familiar face around Camp Jam and can often be seen giving tips to aspiring young rockers during his inspiring and popular master classes.

derek st. holmes

Best known for singing and playing guitar with Ted Nugent, St. Holmes is the voice behind hit songs like "Stranglehold," "Hey Baby," "Got To Live It Up," and "Death By Misadventure." In fact, all of Nugent’s platinum albums feature St. Holmes on vocals.

Derek often takes time out of his busy performing schedule to help out at Camp Jam. This summer you will find him leading Camp Jam master classes around the country.

jim peterik

One of the most successful rock songwriters of the past 4 decades, Peterik is best known for his band Survivor and for the rock anthem "Eye of the Tiger." Peterik has also written hit songs for .38 Special, Lynryd Skynyrd, REO Speedwagon, the Doobie Brothers, Sammy Hagar, and Cheap Trick.

At 16 years old, Peterik founded the band Ides of March and wrote the hit song "Vehicle," which Bo Bice of American Idol fame went on to record as his first single. Even with his schedule packed with gigs, studio time, and writing sessions, Jim still finds time to drop by Camp Jam and give advice to the up and coming rock stars.

ed king

The guitarist and songwriter for one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed rock bands of the 1970s, Ed King of Lynyrd Skynyrd is best known for writing what has become one of America’s most popular rock anthems: “Sweet Home Alabama.”

In fact, it’s King’s voice that can be heard counting off the tune before launching into his famous guitar riff. In 2006, Ed and the original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

peter stroud

Peter Stroud is one of the most sought-after rock guitarists today. He has toured and recorded with a number of major artists including Don Henley, John Mellencamp, and Pete Droge & The Sinners. Since 1998 he has been working primarily with Sheryl Crow.

Peter has shared the stage with Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and opened for the Rolling Stones at Wembley Stadium. Stroud works with Camp Jam on various projects. This summer Peter will be out on tour with Sheryl Crow, but he still plans on dropping by Camp Jam whenever he can.

ricky byrd

Although Ricky Byrd is best know for his days playing lead guitar with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, he has also found himself collaborating with the likes of Roger Daltrey of the Who and Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople.

More than 45 of Ricky’s songs have been recorded by other musicians and his music has been featured in countless television programs and films. Ricky still spends much of his time on the road touring and in the studio recording. Even though he has a very hectic schedule, Ricky still makes time to stop by Camp Jam whenever he can.

carmine appice

The list of groups Carmine has played with reads like a history of classic rock: Ozzy Osbourne, Pink Floyd, Ted Nugent, Stanley Clarke, and Jeff Beck, to name a few. Led Zeppelin's John Bonham even cited Carmine as a major influence!

Appice first came to prominence as the flamboyant percussionist with the '60s psychedelic foursome Vanilla Fudge. Appice later joined Rod Stewart's band, and played drums on (and co-wrote) such Stewart hits as "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Hot Legs." As hectic as Carmine’s teaching and performing schedule is, he tries to find the time to help out at Camp Jam whenever he can.

ed roland

Ed is the lead singer and songwriter for Collective Soul, one of the most successful bands of the 1990s. Hi instantly recognizable voice and knack for hooks landed him eight #1 rock hits in a seven year span.

Ed studied songwriting and guitar at the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston. He brings this wealth of knowledge and experience to the Camp Jam family.

brian howe

Long regarded as one of rock's legendary voices, Brian Howe is best known as the lead singer for Bad Company. He wrote some of the band’s hits, including "Holy Water," "What You Hear Is What You Get," and "If You Needed Somebody."

In addition to selling more than 19 million albums, Howe toured with the Bad Company for 10 years, headlining every major venue around the globe. He loves to share his stories and voice with Camp Jammers, and he gives several Master Classes every summer.

pat travers

Pat Travers is widely considered a guitar hero, admired for his Hendrix-influenced style and excellent composing skills. The Pat Travers Band continues to tour around the world “Makin’ Magic” for their die hard fans.

Most recently, Pat has toured with legendary guitarists Rick Derringer, Jeff Watson of Night Ranger, and Tim Keiffer of Cinderella. Busy as he is, Pat still finds time to drop by Camp Jam and lend a helping hand.

andy timmons

As guitarist for the band Danger Danger, Andy Timmons toured the world opening for Kiss and Alice Cooper, sold over a million records worldwide, and had two #1 videos on MTV. As a session player he has worked with countless legends such as Olivia Newton-John, Kip Winger, Paula Abdul, Paul Stanley and Ted Nugent.

Andy has also played alongside Steve Vai and Joe Satriani (as a regular guest on their G3 tours in Dallas), Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Mike Stern, Ace Frehley... even the Beach Boys! Even with all of this jamming, he still finds time to drop in at Camp Jam every chance he gets.