Peter & „The Rowers” (Slovakia)
The Kosice-based band, VESLARI (The Rowers), was formed in 1971, and is the oldest country band in Slovakia. During this time more than 60 musicians have played with the group, contributing to the band’s long development process. Over those years, the band’s music genre has also evolved: from Folk music to Bluegrass until today’s modern Country & Western style. In between of the 70’s and 80‘s, the band VESLARI recorded roughly 100 songs for Czechoslovakian radio and TV, and its music aired regularly through that time period. The band participated in the production of the first two country music compilations in Slovakia, "Ked svitne rano" and "Country trh No.1", where a number of its songs were recorded."
During the 80's, the band played in various entertainment shows with significant european actors and celebrities like M. Labuda, J. Strazan, J. Cejka, and D. Stachytka. Yet, their most successful performance was their featuring with popular actors from Prague (Czech Republic), Helena Ruzickova and her son Jirka in the show DUO KIX, which replayed more than 200 times in theatres and concert halls all across the country.
At the beginning of the 90's, VESLARI (The Rowers) became members of the Slovak Association of Country Music, and performed at all of the country's festivals.
They have been chosen "Best Country Band" by the SCMA (Slovak Country music Association) and won many awards.
VESLARI also participated in the creation of the mega event, MURAN RODEO (the biggest rodeo show in Slovakia), providing its music and sound production.
In 1993 the band recorded their 1st album, “Country Rodeo”, which was immediately sold out in both Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The album was very successful , and was regularly broadcasted over the airwaves. Soon after, their CD “Stratena rieka” (Greatest hits 1975-1995) was released, which also became very popular.
Since the beginning of 2004, VESLARI is in a new arrangement with the new young talented singer and songwriter Peter Dula, as lead vocalist. The band's remaining talents are: Frantisek Jano - fiddle, steel guitar and mandolin, Peter Henriczy (SAHC instrumentalist of the year 1993, 1994) - lead guitar and banjo, Slavo Mlynarcik - bass, dobro and Luboslav Kriss on drums.
Subsequently, the band has gained even greater notoriety. They have performed at many festivals, fairs, rodeos, concerts, and top venues throughout the Europe, amazing its audiences and organizers alike.
In the summer of 2005 Veslari won the prize for the best band at the biggest country festival in central Europe STODOLA MICHALA TUCNEHO in Czech Republic and a week later they competed at the biggest Country and Folk festival in Slovakia COUNTRY LODENICA and came in the first place.
PETER & THE ROWERS (VESLARI) are the top band playing modern country music in Eastern Europe. They prove it with their latest release "Ja Pojdem Sam".
The song "BLIND HORSES" from this CD went to #3 on "Worldwide Country Chart" for the month of July in 2006 and in January 2007 it went all the way to #1 on prestigious European CMA TOP 100 CHART
Since June 2006 is the band promoted by the award winning promotion company RhonBob Promotions from Nashville, Tennessee. Veslari started to perform as "PETER & THE ROWERS".
The band is currently in the studio working on their new album, which will contain original songs in English. The album is scheduled to be out in the spring of 2007.
