All the while, Shealy was playing gigs. A trio of friends grew into a five-piece band that played weddings in Atlanta. This led to a spot in The Rupert’s Orchestra, famed for its 3,000-song playlist (yes, he had to know them all). That experience coincided with the rise of MTV, and Rupert’s Nightclub was “high-dollar enough” to have projectors to sync video with the live music, so Shealy started doing some production for the orchestra.
Like so many other things in his life, he leveraged the experience at Rupert’s into further opportunity, creating his own production company, which in turn led to the break that ultimately landed him on stage with ARS.
Shealy had been hired to set up a rig for an all-star benefit in Atlanta when the planned keyboardist – Chuck Leavell of the Rolling Stones – was called to the West Coast to perform with John Mayer. Asked if he knew a piano player who could step in, Shealy volunteered, telling the harried producer: “I’m not stupid. If I don’t know something, I’ll just turn the volume down and grin until I catch up.”
Sharing the stage with Shealy at the benefit was Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artemis Pyle. He introduced Shealy to former ARS vocalist Andy Anderson, who was forming an ARS tribute band named Champagne Jam (after one of the band’s most famous hits). That run of shows further increased Shealy's familiarity with the ARS musical catalog while also bringing him to the attention of his future bandmates, setting the scene for Justo’s call.
Lovin' this life
As a full-time ARS member, Shealy is now on the road for upwards of 50 tour dates a year. He travels light, often carrying little more than an overnight bag and a thumb drive loaded with all the files necessary to bring the sounds of ARS to life on any keyboard.
“It’s great because people know the songs, and every now and then I can hear people singing louder than what I’m hearing on stage,” Shealy enthused. “I have great fun with it now and really appreciate it because it didn’t just fall in my lap.”
While he loves performing, Shealy also relishes the opportunity to hear longtime musicians reminisce during “the hang” as they often gather with members of Pure Prairie League, Orleans, Firefall and other popular bands of the era.
“We’ll go to the hotel lobby after a show and commandeer a big table, and the guys who have been around a long time tell their stories,” he raved. “Rodney [Justo], for example, is a big celebrity in our realm because he was the leader of a band called The Candymen; they were Roy Orbison’s backup band and a precursor to ARS. When those guys talk, I just shut up and listen.”
Shealy’s incredible journey would be a great subject for a song. Then again, it’s entirely possible it’s already been written. Consider this line from the ARS hit “Georgia Rhythm,” released during his senior year of high school and still a fan favorite at gigs everywhere: “Lovin’ the life we’re livin’, Playin’ that Georgia rhythm.”
