Stars in their EyesDino Capone’s Jukebox Heroes

Some seven years after opening its doors, and several hundred students later, Dino Capone’s School of Rock in Myrtle Beach is still teaching kids of all ages how to play and perform rock ‘n’ roll. With more than 800 tickets already pre-sold for Friday night’s (Feb. 19) School of Rock gig at the House of Blues, Capone’s winning formula of teaching kids how to rock, and creating bands out kids of similar abilities, has the students, their friends, and their families energized for another packed house and just maybe taking one step closer to fame.

“I started this in 2009,” said Capone, who is an accomplished drummer, having played in a number of bands around the Grand Strand. “It was in the middle of the worst economy ever. I opened the school, built practice rooms, and brought my first students in.”

Capone, who teaches drums, and his two current guitar teachers, Matt Doda (Julio & the Saltines), and Alex Tucker, take kids at all levels from beginner to advanced, accesses their skill levels, and put them together with other kids to form student bands, with one goal in mind: to perform in concert and rock the house. Capone’s kids, some 60 student bands since 2009, have played all over the Grand Strand from Murrells Inlet to Little River, but the annual House of Blues winter show remains the crème dele crème of high profile opportunities.

“The kids love playing on the big stage, hanging around back stage, it’s great for everyone. The first year, 2010, we put them in the restaurant. We had no idea how it would go. We packed the place like sardines, so we decided next time we go to the music hall.” The bands have been performing in the HOB Music Hall ever since with record crowds that rival national touring shows. “We had 925 paid one year,” said Capone, “and I think we might do it again for this show.”

While the $6 advanced sale tickets will likely be gone by show time on Friday, $10 tickets will be available at the door, which opens at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. What will you get for your $10? Perhaps a chance to see a handful of tomorrow’s rock stars as they hone their craft and discover their skills, plus some surprisingly good music from four student bands.

Many of Capone’s former students, now young adults, continue to play. Some in area bands and others taking their performance and music education more seriously. “Tommy Merritt, a guitarist, is a music major at University of South Carolina,” said Capone. Shelley Sasser, 17, is another School of Rock student. She’s been performing summers at Broadway at the Beach on the stage nearest Margaritaville.

The four bands scheduled are: Against the Grain, Vital Signs, Near Falling, and Solid Ground. “They play cover tunes from classic rock like The Who, Rush to some metal like Twisted Sister, Tesla, that kind of stuff, but we pick and choose the songs carefully.” That means no overt sex and drug references, but the rock ‘n’ roll is definitely in play. “We stick to the classics.”

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Stars in their EyesDino Capone’s Jukebox Heroes."