21 year old singer/songwriter Roland Eckstein has been playing his music in bars, restaurants, and cafes in places such as Connecticut and New Jersey, and more recently Barcelona, Spain for around 3 years now. Currently working on recording a solo debut album, Roland has a folksy acoustic style fused with alternative and surf rock influences. Growing up around the New Jersey coast and going to school in Fairfield, CT, Roland played his first show at a sponsored event in 2006 alongside guitarist and friend Justin Lucas and has since focused on writing and recording and playing shows in places such as the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. While studying abroad in Spain, Roland has taken to the streets, playing music alongside the performers of Barcelona's most famed avenue--La Rambla.

Upon returning for the summer Roland linked up with three other musicians to form the band now known around the Jersey Shore area as The Rum Runners. Pete Clabby, 19, previously of the band For Pete's Sake lays down the grooves on the bass. It is interesting to note that Pete and Roland are cousins. On the lead guitar, Brooks Robinson shrodes away and also has collaborated with Roland on writing many of the songs, most notably, "Funk You Up" for which Brooks wrote the lyrics and also, the brand spankin new song, "Your Love Train." Ryan Celestino is the man that holds the band together on the drums. The disciplinarian of the group, Ryan is leaving in the fall to become a teacher in Maryland. Put it all together and you have The Rum Runners, a funky, groovy, bluesy, rock and roll, old fashioned, hell of a time. Look for them to be playing throughout the central and Jersey shore area this summer and get excited for the cd. (This was most definitely not written by Roland Eckstein.)