It's Happening: Through the Years with Crimson Reign
By Julie Perine on January 15, 2023 from It’s Happening
In 2019 and 2020, the band Crimson Reign was featured at the United Hospital Center Holly Ball. After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Holly Ball is back and so is Crimson Reign.
Well-known throughout the region, the band – which plays rock, classic rock, country, and modern-day tunes of various genres – consists of lead vocalist Shannon Shields Harvey, drummer Johnny Stutler, bass player Rick Martin and guitarist/vocalist Daniel Jaggie.
Various other musicians have been part of Crimson Reign.
“We’ve had several musicians come and go for various reasons. Glen Shaffer was our guitar player the longest until his passing in 2017,” Harvey said. “We then invited Daniel to play with us and he’s been with us since.”
When not playing with Crimson Reign, Stutler works for RDR Ready Mix, Jaggie is employed as a tax manager with Baker Tilly, and Martin plays with various other area bands. Harvey, who works as a nurse at UHC’s labor and delivery department, is the band’s only founding member.
“We have been a band for over 20 years. I started my senior year of high school. I was playing out a little bit and that’s how the band got started,” she said.
The band’s name has no special significance.
“We knew we had to come up with something and just started throwing ideas around and when we heard those words together, it just clicked and sounded good and has stuck with us,” Harvey said.
Crimson Reign makes regular appearances at Brickside Bar & Grille, The Social Tap, Copper House Grill in Fairmont and the Honi-Honi Bar in Garrett County, Md. Last year, the band played at Stonewall Resort for New Year’s Eve, and they also play several private parties. Popular, often-requested tune include Guns ‘N Roses’ “Sweet Child of Mine” and Martina McBride’s “Independence Day.” Chris Stapleton tunes are also quite popular and new to Crimson Reign’s playlist is Reba McEntire’s “Fancy.”
A 12-year employee of UHC, Harvey said she is honored to play for The Holly Ball once again.
“I feel being able to represent the place you work at I very important – to be in front of your colleagues that make WVU Medicine successful; it’s just an honor to perform in front of those people,” she said.
Harvey said she pursued nursing as a career because she wanted to help people and continue to meet new people. Her love for live performance is similar.
“I just enjoy when people come up and tell me that my singing just makes them feel good and that they love coming out to hear the band,” she said. “It’ the enjoyment we give to other people that’s probably the most fun.”
Another reason playing for the Holly Ball is special is because of the funds raised to help others through United Hospital Center.
“Obviously, everything they focus on is going to be something positive for the hospital to only make it better for the community,” she said.
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