Editor’s Note: This is the latest periodic installment of the After the Beat column focusing on the behind-the-scenes talent that nurtures the live music scene in Harrisburg.
Ronnie Rhoads, Big Riff Studio
Ronnie Rhoads is a novelist, guitarist/vocalist with over 59 years of playing experience, music educator and engineer, and owner of Big Riff Studio. He started his connection with music at a very early age, being the son of well-known and respected jazz guitarist Ron Rhoads, who had performed with The Velvatones in the 1960s and the Unforgettable Big Band.
With nearly six decades of experience, Ronnie has played with the popular band Hired Guns (hard rock), Mustang (rock-country band) and El Dorado (country band). He now plays with his band, Bad Sister, the ultimate party dance band covering ’70s, ’80s and ’90s genres. In 1986, Ronnie interned at Westlake Studios under Malcolm Cecil, a Grammy Award-winning British jazz bassist and recording producer who worked with Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones and more in Hollywood.
Ronnie launched his own recording studio in California in 1990. He later returned to Pennsylvania to his roots and continued his studio, Big Riff, in Mechanicsburg. He also ran sound for many local area groups. Today, he teaches primarily professional guitarists, focusing on theory, concepts and solo jazz guitar. Studio clients range from album artists to local Harrisburg organizations like Joy to the Burg, which puts out a CD every year during the holidays. Ronnie won the 1990 Inland Empire, Southern California Guitar Player of the Year award and was an endorser of Hamer guitars. Well-respected as a skilled and technical player, he is one of the top guitarists in the area and in the nation. Ronnie recently wrote a novel, “Event Horizon,” which is available on Amazon.
Contact: ronnierhoads@yahoo.com.
Kevin Shoaff, tech repair
Kevin Shoaff is a guitarist, fretted-instrument repair tech, and small business owner rooted in New Kingstown, just outside Mechanicsburg. He built his first guitar with his father in high school, a project that sparked a lifelong devotion to craftsmanship and tone. Shoaff studied music production at Harrisburg Area Community College in Lemoyne under bassist and former Downtown Sound owner Jay Kirssin, where he expanded his skills to servicing audio gear and instruments. He spent about a decade at Downtown Sound, honing setups, fretwork and refrets, and structural repairs on acoustic and electric guitars and basses, with selective work on mandolins and banjos.
In the pre-internet era, he educated himself through relentless hands-on practice, guided by the Stewart MacDonald (StewMac) catalog – an essential resource for tools, parts, kits and repair techniques.
As one of the region’s few instrument specialists, he quickly built a loyal client base, many of whom still entrust him with their instruments today. For over 20 years, Shoaff has run an appointment-only repair shop from his home, earning local admiration for precise, reliable work. He also plays on local recording projects and occasional live gigs.
Contact: kshoaffguitars@gmail.com or (717) 559-3738.
Jason Shaffer, Full Tilt Productions
Jason Shaffer balances his roles as guitarist/bassist onstage for 21 years and audio engineer and owner of Full Tilt Productions in Mechanicsburg. Raised in Brownstown/Ephrata in Lancaster County, he fell for his mom’s 45s – The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Creedence Clearwater Revival – then grabbed a guitar at age 13 after discovering Nirvana, Green Day and The Offspring. His first gigs were with his ’80s rock band, Sleeping Beauty.
Hooked on recording, he took an electronic music class, sped through Full Sail’s program and interned with William Grabowski at LeGit Sound Studios. There he cut punk recordings; Broken Toaster was first. He worked at Scott Ray Piano Gallery in New Cumberland while learning studio craft with Jeff Feltenberger of The Badlees and Tom T-Bone Edmonds, whose credits include Lenny Kravitz. In 2012, an aspiring young producer turned a home studio and a passionate dream into Full Tilt Productions on Gale Street in Mechanicsburg.
As a musician, he held down bass playing duties for Grantham Road, opening for Hootie & the Blowfish and Saving Jane; later came Hybrid Ice and a disco tribute band, Dance Fever. He was inducted with Hybrid Ice into the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame in 2023. Some well-known clients include Nate Myers, Derek Henry (Observe the 93rd) and Zack Nyce.
Contact: fulltiltrecording.com or (717) 648-0633.
Rod Goelz, music educator, influencer
Rod Goelz isn’t your typical music educator. Inspired by his father, Edward Carl Goelz, a Marine Corps trumpeter, Rod became an author and musician who builds confidence through music. He helps students of all ages find an authentic voice, encouraging them to shed rigid methods and evolve on their own terms.
Raised in East York, he played guitar and bass with Groove Jones and led Boompop Coalition, blending styles into a jazz-inspired approach he calls “boombop.” He has mentored talents Logan Bedard, James Klippel and A.J. Shughart.
Through PA Music & Wellness, he designs workshops such as “Movement,” “Drum Journey,” “Rock Jam,” and “How to Be a Lead Singer” – helping students own their strengths both on and off stage. He even teaches nursery schoolers and created Wee Rock around that concept. Adults describe his inclusive method as a “community Berklee,” emphasizing communication, confidence and people skills alongside musical growth. He leads the Rock Band Program at Rock Mill Soundstage in Mechanicsburg and collaborates with young artists on projects like “Overdrive” and “Before The End.” Rod hosts four podcasts, We Love Guitar Nerds, Boomer Guitar Sessions, Boompop Coalition Podcast and The Rock Band Podcast, all found under Rod Goelz Virtual Academy on YouTube. He serves on the local music hall of fame board, and he was the winner of the hall’s 2022 Best Music Lessons category.
Contact: rod@rodgoelz.com or (717) 542-4525.