Two interactive masterclasses. One unforgettable concert.
A rare chance to meet the musicians behind the music.

Spend a weekend inside the music you know by heart. Founder / Vocalist Thomas Claxton brings his “Behind the Hits” Concert Series, featuring Special Guests and world-renowned artists Liberty DeVitto, Carmine Rojas, and Eddie Martinez, to the Raue Center for two days of stories, masterclass learning experiences, and a full-production concert.

Their three extraordinary careers have put them on stages and recordings with artists including Billy Joel, David Bowie, and Robert Palmer – and now they’re sharing what happened behind the scenes.

Begin the weekend with interactive masterclasses exploring the drums, guitars, arrangements and creative choices that helped shape classic songs.

Hosted by Thomas Claxton, Musicians and Music Students will gain insight from artists at the highest level, while longtime fans will hear the stories behind the recordings directly from the people who were the architects of the tours, albums, and songs.

Then, experience it all live in concert as these remarkable musicians take the stage for an evening celebrating iconic songs, unforgettable careers, and the enduring power of great music. Attend one session, pair a masterclass with the concert, or experience the entire Behind the Hits weekend.

CHOOSE AN INDIVIDUAL EVENT

Behind the Hits: Guitar and Bass Masterclass with Carmine Rojas and Eddie Martinez

Friday, May 14, 2027
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Behind the Hits: Drum Masterclass with Liberty DeVitto

Friday, May 14, 2027
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Go beyond the recordings with Liberty DeVitto, the legendary drummer whose unmistakable style helped drive the iconic hits of Billy Joel! Through live demonstrations, candid stories and audience Q&A, Liberty will explore the choices, techniques, and creative instincts that give a song its heartbeat.

Designed for musicians, music students, and devoted fans alike, this interactive masterclass offers a rare opportunity to learn from one of rock music’s most celebrated drummers. No advanced musical experience is required.

9:00 pm – 9:30 pm: Join us afterward for a photo op with our visiting artists!
Learn more at behindthehits.com

Behind the Hits: Live in Concert!

Saturday, May 15, 2027 @ 7 p.m

After sharing the stories and techniques behind the music, Liberty DeVitto (drummer for Billy Joel), Carmine Rojas (bassist for David Bowie, Tina Turner), and Eddie Martinez (Guitarist of Robert Palmer, Steve Winwood), take the stage Saturday, May 15th, for a one-of-a-kind concert celebrating the songs and artists that defined their remarkable careers.

Hosted by Vocalist and Producer Thomas Claxton, Behind the Hits brings audiences closer to the music of Billy Joel, David Bowie, Robert Palmer, and more. It’s an evening of legendary songs, extraordinary musicianship and firsthand stories from the artists who were there when the hits were made.

The night will also welcome Featured Artists:

• Giulio Carmassi (Keyboardist of Pat Metheny)
• Bryan Ottens (Keys)
• Ashlyn Rusgrove (Vocals)
• Elizabeth Jones (Vocals)
• Thomas Claxton (Series Founder / Vocalist)

CHOOSE AN INDIVIDUAL EVENT

About our Special Guest Artists:

Liberatori “Liberty” DeVitto is an American rock drummer, best known for his work as drummer on 23 of Billy Joel’s 24 Top 40 Hits.

He has also been a session drummer on recordings for Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Phoebe Snow, Karen Carpenter, Stevie Nicks, Rick Wakeman, Bob James, Meat Loaf, and many more. He is credited on records that have sold a combined total of 150 million units worldwide.

In 2013, he was inducted into The Classic Drummer’s Hall of Fame. Today he plays with The Slim Kings and is a founding member of The Lords of 52nd Street.

Eddie Martinez is a legendary guitarist whose career has spanned more than six decades and crossed the worlds of rock, pop, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop. A sought-after session player and touring musician, Martinez has worked alongside some of the biggest names in music, leaving his mark on recordings that helped define the sound of the 1980s and beyond.

Martinez’s remarkable run of collaborations includes David Bowie, Steve Winwood, Mick Jagger, David Lee Roth, Run-DMC, Robert Palmer, Meat Loaf, Lou Reed, Blondie and Labelle, among many others. His playing can be heard on Winwood’s Back in the High Life, David Lee Roth’s Crazy from the Heat, Mick Jagger’s She’s the Boss, Robert Palmer’s Heavy Nova, and Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell.

His work with Run-DMC stands among his most influential contributions. Martinez provided the distinctive distorted guitar on the groundbreaking 1984 track “Rock Box” and played on the title track of King of Rock. Featured prominently in the accompanying videos, Martinez helped bring a hard-rock guitar sound into the emerging hip-hop landscape. “Rock Box” became a landmark moment in the genre, and Martinez’s guitar work has since been recognized as THE FIRST use of guitar in hip-hop, redefining and shaping the genre.

Martinez has also shared stages with music icons worldwide. He toured with Blondie, including their 1982 Tracks Across America tour and farewell concert in Toronto, and performed with Mick Jagger at the inaugural Live Aid concert in 1985. He toured and recorded with Labelle and was also a member of Robert Palmer’s touring band.

In 1984, Martinez released his first solo album, No Lies, on Cotillion Records, produced by Bernard Edwards of Chic. While best known for his extraordinary session and touring career, Martinez continues to bring decades of experience, versatility, and musical history to every performance.

Carmine Rojas is an American bass guitarist, musical director, composer, and producer whose career spans rock, R&B, funk, and jazz—and some of the biggest names in music. Rojas toured and recorded with David Bowie from 1983–1987, playing bass on iconic multi-platinum hits including Let’s Dance, China Girl, Modern Love, and Blue Jean. He went on to serve as musical director and bassist for Julian Lennon, and spent 15 years touring and recording with Rod Stewart, contributing to albums including the MTV multi-platinum Unplugged…and Seated and co-writing songs for Vagabond Heart and A Spanner in the Works.

Throughout his career, Rojas has worked alongside an extraordinary roster of artists, including Tina Turner, Keith Richards, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Ron Wood, Billy Joel, Carlos Santana, Steve Winwood, Herbie Hancock, Al Green, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, Billy Gibbons, Leslie West, Carly Simon, Carole King, Patti LaBelle, Bobby Womack, Todd Rundgren, Beth Hart, Jewel, Brandy, Michael Bolton, Dave Mason, John Hiatt, and Allen Toussaint, among many others.

Rojas has been a key collaborator with Joe Bonamassa since 2005, beginning with the album You & Me and continuing through multiple studio albums and acclaimed live releases, including Live from Nowhere in Particular, Live from the Royal Albert Hall, and Live from the Beacon Theatre.

A veteran of decades of world tours, recordings, and live performances, Carmine Rojas brings an extraordinary depth of experience to every project—having shared the stage and studio with some of the most influential musicians in modern music.