It’s crazy as I sit here and start writing all of my feelings down while I’m sitting at my desk watching Grey’s Anatomy and on Rival Summer’s last live before he makes the change to his legal name. For those who have been lucky enough to interact with Artists, or work with them it hits differently when you’re so used to knowing them by a certain name. Rival Summers started back when I was also at Oakland University. The first time I became aware of RS was at an event for WXOU, or walking through the OC, and I just said “hi” striking up a conversation. Then I went and checked out his music later on, and remember thinking “local talent is always the way to go.” That’s when I really started getting into the underground music scene what’s now referred to as “Indie.” Rival Summers was the first artist from Michigan I listened to with an open ear and mind and went “man you have raw talent” During the same year I started digging Rival Summers, I also started attending more shows especially during 2011-2013, and finding more underground artists who I’d later find out were relatives to some of my friends. This whole entire time, I remember thinking “talent lives in my state, and I’ve been living under a rock my entire life.” During my time at OU, I was helping out with Promotions at WXOU. Every year we put on a series called “WXOU Birthday Bash” and would have local artists from Michigan as well as big name artists. My first year attending is when I saw Rivals Summers play for the very first time. Then after that I started going to venues like “The Crofoot” which is one of my favorite venues in Metro Detroit. It’s actually one of the only venues in Michigan I’ve been to the most out of every venue I’ve been too. I can’t remember what show it was, but I’m pretty sure I saw RS play a show their at some point too. I know I saw him a few times.
This isn’t just about live shows and the live performance space. Lets get into some music. Over the past 13 years, Rivals Summers has released one EP, 3 albums, and several singles. The very first single I ever listened to was “Jenna’s Song” off of “Days Like This” EP. 2012 “Learning To Live” came out which was before his 2016 album “Undeniable” which as many know is his latest album to date. Those last two albums were albums I listened to for a very long time, and I learned every lyric, and could sing it because it fits my range hahaha. Every song Rival Summers has released is uplifting, real, personal to him, and relatable to all of his. This is why music is extremely powerful, and changes lives forever. This is why people get into this crazy life/business. I reached out to Rival Summers one summer one year right after graduation asking if he was looking for help and at the time he said no. So I went on about my life and started getting into blogging, writing concert reviews, single reviews, and album reviews.
Years went by, and I decided to leave my life behind and move to California in 2017. In 2018, I took a job, and one year later in June 2019, I was sitting at lunch, and decided to reach out to Rival Summers again. This time I was successful, and we started working together. As some of you know “Still Here” was released September, 6th, 2019. Before the release I spent hours during breaks, on my commute to/from work, when I’d get home from work, I’d just constantly reach out to media outlets, radio stations, create lists, everything. I of course had big dreams for him, and that was where I discovered “hey I can do this.” I remember the day “Still Here” dropped, and it was a Friday. I felt extremely proud and I didn’t even work on the single at all. Where my excitement came from was my drive, and determination that if you put work, sweat, and tears into things especially when you don’t have time to have “a life” it all pays off. Once the single came out that was the end of Rival Summers and I working together, but I knew he lived in Nashville, and at the time I was prepping to move to Nashville as well. I never think I’ll end up in same states as people I know, and have looked up to for a very long time, but it always seems to happen and never fails. In April of 2020, I was supposed to go and see Rival Summers live now that I lived here, and instead that was the week the world shut down. Needless to say I still haven’t been to a show here yet, but I definitely will.
Earlier this year, Rival Summers announced the retirement of that name and going under his legal name Leo Bautista. It’s no longer “Rival Summers AKA Leo” for me anymore just “Leo” which will still take getting used to because we all know Rival Summers as the music side of Leo, but now we get the real person behind the mic this entire time. I look forward to hearing new music, attending more shows in 2022, and supporting Leo’s new name/new journey. Thank you for everything you’ve given all of us for 13 years, and as always allowing me to be apart of your journey at some points in life.<3 For one last time, as one door closes, a new one opens. Here’s to the next phase and steps of your new journey. Much love to you Rival Summers! It’s been real! ❤
Music, Life, More 