Rockin’ for New Eyes Stalwarts Keep Rollin’

“It was 20 years ago today,” The Beatles sang, recalling the mythic origins of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

The Rockin’ for New Eyes Band doesn’t have much in common with Pepper’s outfit. But like that storied aggregation, we did, in fact, start playing together about 20 years ago.

I remember it clearly. A few of my optical rock ‘n’ roll buddies came to my house for a loose jam. We had a blast, literally and figuratively. Several months later we got together again, this time at a NYC rehearsal studio. These informal music sessions became a regular event after hours at Vision Expos. Different players would show up, but there was always a core group of musicians who held it together, keeping track of songs and working out song arrangements. This core group became the Rockin’ for New Eyes Band, which is dedicated to raising money for New Eyes for the Needy, the non-profit organization that distributes eyeglasses to those in need.

The RFNE Band is getting ready to play our 16th fundraiser, which will take place at New York’s Hard Rock Café on Saturday, March 28. Throughout the years we’ve had about 50 different musicians and singers pass through our ranks, but the core has remained solid.

If you’ve never put on a four-hour show in a big club in front of hundreds of people, let me tell you, it takes a ton of preparation and hard work. A theme for the show is chosen by the organizing committee—this year it’s The ‘70s—and songs are selected months in advance. Each of us then spends hours practicing the songs alone, before coming together for a few hours of rehearsal a few days before the show. By the time we walk onto the Hard Rock stage, we’re full of energy and intensity, ready to give it everything we’ve got to make the show as entertaining and professional as possible. And you know what? We hit the mark, year after year, judging from the cheering, dancing people in the audience and the fact that we continue to attract generous corporate sponsors.

Putting on this show is an exhilarating and exhausting experience, as well as a major commitment of time and energy. So what is it that keeps us going?

For me, it comes down to two things: the chance to learn new songs that I probably would never have played otherwise, and the opportunity to renew the friendships I’ve made with my bandmates over the years.

I asked some of the core members of the RFNE Band to answer this question, and here’s what they told me.

George Alexandrovich
Essilor Instruments

Going on my 11th year involved with this same core group of volunteers/ musicians/associates in the industry, my biggest take away and the reason I continue to come back every year... is the true friendships that have been spawned over the years and although some of us interact this one time of year, every year feels like a family reunion and that is the power “music” has over all of us... the ability to combine the talents of many to focus on a worthy cause and speak volumes when words fail... it’s the “do” in life that matters. Other groups “talk” but this one “does” and being a part of that makes it all worthwhile.

David Salk
Focal Point Opticians and eClips

I love performing in Rockin’ for New Eyes” to support New Eyes for the Needy, play music with good friends and celebrate the gift of giving along with enjoying great music.

Robert Shanbaum
Ocuco

I continue to be amazed by the amount of money that we raise for New Eyes – but that’s really just icing on the cake. The real joy arises from something way more selfish, namely, being able to get together with a such a great group of people and produce some pretty decent rock’n’roll at such an iconic venue – no way would I otherwise get to play at the Hard Rock!

One of my most memorable moments occurred when Lisa Loeb played at the event. It was an incredible sight when, during our set, I looked across the stage and she was singing backup vocals!

Pete Heyward
Eyewear by ROI

Over 12 years ago I was invited to join the musical collective that has come to be known as Rockin' for New Eyes. Through the collaborations of planning, preparation, rehearsal and performance, we have forged personal and musical friendships that have both inspired and informed. The coming together of performers from all parts of the United States to present a unified concert of musical talents is an incredibly huge task and the fact that it comes together so seamlessly and professionally every year is an inspiration to the musician in all of us. All members of the Rockin' for New Eyes team are my brothers and sisters and our work together each year is one of the highlights of my musical calendar. We are united in a common cause of music, giving and community and I am forever appreciative of the privilege it is to be recognized as a member of this group.

John Alofs
Eyewear by ROI

As the co-chairperson for this event and drummer for the Visionary Band [one of four separate ensembles that perform under the RFNE banner], what makes the entire Rockin’ for New Eyes experience unique is that of the 40 performers who will be on stage (over the four hour concert), 35 of them I probably would never have met, if this show hadn’t begun 13 years ago. Many of these “optical musicians” I now count among my closest friends.

Scott J. Bushinger, OD, MS, FAAO
Eye Consultants of Syracuse

I love the fact that the Rockin' For New Eyes show is unique in that it is thoroughly open and welcoming to all of us in the eyecare and eyewear industry—and it's fitting that it is the final big party of Vision Expo Week in NYC. Over the past few years, Vision Expo has become much more inclusive and immersive for optometry students, in particular. Students have multiple opportunities to network with others and form long-lasting connections with industry leaders, future colleagues, collaborators, employers, and employees. Rockin' For New Eyes is a celebration of that collaboration within our professions and industry that ultimately results in better patient care and satisfaction. As set leader of the student band in the show, it's great to see optometry students participate in the ultimate celebration of Vision Expo week and show off their musical talents all while having the opportunity to connect and network with leaders in our profession and industry.

Bob Stein
National Vision

I played for the first time with this great group of musicians at the China Club many years ago. I knew right away that I had just become part of a new circle of friends that would last for many years. Fast forward to today and we have a collective history of giving back in a big way to the optically underserved through Rock & Roll, great partners and a lot of planning and hard work each year. It truly is a labor of love for all of us on stage. We only hope that the audience at the Hard Rock Café has as much fun as we do. To every sponsor, contributor and attendee, we are forever grateful for your support of both the annual event and of those in need.

Good friends, music, a great audience, and a cause for optical good! Not sure how it gets better than that. You see the onstage side of things, but behind the scenes lifetime friendships and bonds have been developed that will last the test of time. I can speak for all of the organizers and performers in saying that about October 15th of each year we start planning the show, and by October 16th we start getting excited about the theme, the music and seeing all your smiling faces one more time. See you again this year with the 70’s theme.

Eric Rollins
OptiRova

The Rockin’ for New Eyes Horns,
(l to r) Dana Cohen, Eric Rollins, Terry Marquardt, OD, Neil Eggert, and Bruce Meyer, OD.

When this event started as The Off Axis Band in 2008, I bought a $50 ticket to see them perform at the China Club in Manhattan. I really enjoyed the show, and hanging out with fellow eyecare professionals who love live music. A year later, I was a member of the band when we played BB King’s Club, and have been in every show since. One constant has been the level of professionalism from the members of the band: working hard to ensure that the musical product is great and that the audience thoroughly enjoys themselves at the show. Another bright spot for me is the relationships that I have formed with other members of the band. We have grown almost into a family, and it is always so good to see each other at rehearsals, other trade shows, etc. For me, this is kind of like living out a teenage rock and roll fantasy. If I had told my buddies back in my high school years that I would be playing the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square when I grew up, they would have called “B.S.” on me!

Win a 2020 Limited Edition Grammy Watch at the Silent Auction

In addition to the sponsors of this year’s Rockin’ for New Eyes show, which are listed below, Eyewear by ROI is donating a 2020 Limited Edition Grammy Watch that will be offered via a silent auction the night of the show. The watch, which is the same as the ones that were presented to Grammy winners at the 2020 awards ceremony, has some unique musical tie-in features such as a guitar tuning peg on the side with the Grammy logo, a guitar shaped case, and guitar picks on the 3-6-9 of the face, with piano keys on the other numbers. It has a retail price of $850. Click here to watch a short video that shows the uniqueness of this limited edition

Click here if you’d like to become a sponsor of Rockin’ for New Eyes.

Tickets for Rockin’ for New Eyes can be purchased online until 5:00 pm, Friday, March 26th. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door beginning Saturday, March 28th at 8:00 pm. Click here to purchase individual tickets for the show.

ROCKIN’ FOR NEW EYES 2020 SPONSORS