Featured Artist of Aug 6, 2026
with the song: "Mariah"


Artist's Biography

New York City’s trusty R Train spans from Brooklyn to Queens, and, between these destinations, hits the heart of Manhattan. A trip on the venerated subway line shows the expanse of the Big Apple. A trip with the band that shares its namesake takes you to the center of Rock and beyond. Part of the "New Wave of Classic Rock," The R Train pulls up today with a steady flow of singles, and a powerful story of positivity.
All aboard!

The R Train was conceived of while ridding on the subway in Brooklyn, but now has its track layed down in South Florida. This power trio features longtime friends : fleet-fingered guitarist/vocalist Jeffrey Black, deep grooving bassist Blackjack, and, the band’s driving force, powerhouse drummer Mike Annese.

The three-piece band creates their own Rock mojo inspired by classic artists like Black Sabbath, The Police, Grand Funk Railroad, and artists like The Smashing Pumpkins. In addition, the band has a Queen-like sense of adventurousness, writing diverse songs with a band identity cohesiveness. The R Train tunes feature pounding drums, thick distortion-dipped guitars, and grinding basslines. The band exudes power, precision, and a groove that evokes the halcyon era of the arena rock days, but with a modern vigor that makes it feel fresh and new. The R Train’s sound is so immediately infectious that music executive
producers Brud Van Cott and Albert Trenchie took an instant interest in the band, and remain staunch behind-the-scenes supporters.

Adding to the band’s mystique is that select tracks were mastered at Battery Studios, also known as the legendary “Record Plant” at 321 44th St. “The Plant,” as it is known today, was home to some of the greatest recordings of all time, including sessions with the likes of John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith, Kiss, and countless other greats. Additional tracks were mastered at Masterdisk NYC by the legendary rock master Scott Hull (Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, and Bob Dylan).

The band’s backstory begins during a transformative moment in 2017. Mike was a Professional Firefighter who had risin thru the ranks to become a Fire Chief down in South Florida. He’s was also an in-demand motivational speaker and author. During one of his talks, an audience member came up to him and asked him a profound question. “The guy said to me, ‘You mentioned playing music in the book. How come you stopped doing it?,’” Mike recalls. He had been playing drums since the age of nine, performed in bands in Boston & South Florida, and recorded in studios like Master Sound Astoria in Queens & Criteria Studios in Miami. Mike continues: “Talking to that guy made me realize I let go of something I loved—music was my true passion. As soon as the plane touched down, I reached out to Jeffrey, and said we need to start a band.”

Mike and Jeffrey have co-written all of The R Train’s songs. Jeffrey has been an established Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter who has performed on a multitude of instruments for a variety of East Coast bands, including work with Billy Joel and the late great Rick Derringer.

On one of the R Train's recent stops, Len Leuci a Rocker who goes by the moniker of “Blackjack” jumped on board. With a thunderous presence and a deep-rooted passion for Hard Rock, Blackjack has taken the reins as “Master Of Bass” with The R Train. Blackjack hails from Ithaca, New York and is influenced by iconic bassists such as Geezer Butler and Jack Bruce. Blackjack's playing style combines intricate grooves with powerful riffs. He brings to The R Train, a hard driving unique sounding bottom that glues Mike's soulful drums to Jeffrey's wailing guitar and powerful vocal style at every station stop.

Blackjack's musical journey has been nothing short of remarkable. His tenure as a bassist has seen him share the stage with some of rock music's biggest names, including a notable collaboration with Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe. This experience not only honed his skills but also solidified his reputation as a formidable performer. Additionally Blackjack has opened for renowned acts like Foreigner and Blue Öyster Cult, showcasing his ability to connect with diverse audiences by delivering electrifying performances.

“When Blackjack came into the band, he fell in love with the music,” Mike says. “now we have a kickass band, and we have the fire and energy to roll forward.

Featured Artist of April 20, 2026
with the song: "INDIGO"


Artist's Biography

Born on a swaying subway car somewhere between Bay Ridge and Midtown Manhattan, The R Train is a rock trio that treats every song like a spark from the city’s third rail — raw, charged, and unmistakably alive. The band’s name came to life during a ride to the legendary Record Plant at 321 W 44th St., where the greats once carved their names into rock history. As the train rattled through the tunnels, guitarist‑vocalist Jeffrey Black and drummer Mike Annese realized they were on the “ride of a lifetime,” and the band’s identity clicked into place.

Today, The R Train runs its tracks between Brooklyn and South Florida, powered by the chemistry of longtime friends: Black on vocals and guitar, Blackjack (or Denny Lee, depending on lineup era) on bass, and Annese on drums — a powerhouse rhythm section with deep roots in classic rock’s physicality. Their sound pulls from the grit of Black Sabbath, the precision of The Police, the groove of Grand Funk Railroad, and the adventurous spirit of Queen, all delivered with a modern, high‑voltage edge.

Producers Brud Van Cott and Albert Trenchie recognized the band’s spark early, championing their work and helping shape a sonic identity that feels both vintage and urgent. Select tracks were mastered at the iconic Record Plant and others at Masterdisk NYC by rock‑mastering legend Scott Hull — a lineage that places The R Train squarely in the continuum of American rock craftsmanship.

The band’s origin story also carries a deeply human thread. Before returning to music, Annese had risen through the ranks as a South Florida Fire Chief, author, and motivational speaker. A single question from an audience member — “Why did you stop playing music?” — reignited the passion he’d carried since age nine. That moment sent him straight back to Black, and the two began co‑writing the songs that would define The R Train’s catalog.

Since forming in 2019, The R Train has released a steady run of singles that blend pounding drums, distortion‑dipped guitars, and arena‑ready hooks. Their music carries a message of positivity, self‑honesty, and forward motion, echoing the band’s own journey from subway sparks to full‑throttle rock revival.

Featured Artist of Sep 4, 2020
with the song: Flip Out Zone

Artist's Biography
The R Train is an American Rock Band hailing from Brooklyn NY, with tracks leading down into South Florida. The band consists of vocalist guitarist Jeffrey Black, drummer vocalist Mike Annese, and bassist harmony Denny Lee. Formed in early 2019 by members Black and Annese, the band’s name came about while traveling on the New York Subway, the R Train. They were taking the train from Bay Ridge Brooklyn to Manhattan, to master a couple of tracks at Battery Studios, also known as the legendary “Record Plant” at 321 44th St. The Plant, as it is known today, is home to some of the greatest recordings of all time - from the likes of John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith, Kiss, and countless other greats. As the train swayed back and forth, the two thought, “we are in the greatest city in the world, traveling on the ride of a lifetime,” it was at that moment “The R Train Band” was born.
They had a chance meeting outside the Plant with Music Executive Producers Brud Van Cott and Albert Trenchie, who found the band to be an untapped resource with a new refreshing Rock sound and took an interest immediately. Van Cott says, “with the world full of the electronic sounds of Hip Hop, Rap, and Dance track acts, The R Train Band brings on the pickup the guitar and drumsticks, and let’s be real vibration once again.”
On their debut single from their 11-song album Full Throttle, The R Train Band lets loose with “Flip Out Zone”- a song that harkens back to the roots of screaming rock. The track tears off with a riff-heavy sound, and a driving drumbeat accompanied by vocal-chant-ready arena rock, with the energy and power of a new school sound. Written with the pressures of life in mind, songwriters Black and Annese give caution to the seductive lure of money from a mundane job and life, sending the message of “wake up to reality and be who you really want to be.” With the recent Coronavirus pandemic in mind and the world enduring self-isolation, the band chose this song to be first out of the station. The tune provides fans with an escape from monotony through deep grooves within the melodies and pulse of the music.
Close to their heart runs compassion for humanity and kindness. With the constant pressures of society, the band supports a few key organizations. Mike Annese finds giving back to the fire service through his support of National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation and a few others. From post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to heroic actions that have taken our nation’s best, this is a cause that is not only real but personal to Annese who is a Deputy Fire Chief. For Jeffrey Black, being vegetarian suits him well in his plight to save animals from harm. His love for felines and canines peaks in his devotion to the Humane Society of America. In 2010 Bassists Denny Lee underwent a liver transplant. Upon returning home from the hospital, his 12 lb. Pomeranian, Jack, stayed at his side constantly, making sure that Denny remained in good spirits and helped him recuperate much faster than expected. After his own amazing experience with Jack, Denny began supporting his wife and other members of "National Crisis Response Canines", who respond to individual trauma and mass tragedy events nationwide to offer the companionship and comfort of specially trained, certified Crisis Response Canines and their handlers. Denny has two, Mack and Bear. When people are hurting or the First Responders need a lift, the Crisis Response Canines go to work and provide their love and magic to those who need them. Denny's commitment to "Crisis Response Canines" is reflective of his personal devotion to "The Golden Rule".... All life is precious!
The R Train Band’s goal is to inspire everyone to get up out of their seats, forget about the everyday stresses of the world for a little while, rock your heart out, and dance to the feel of the music. Most of all, remember always fight for what you believe in and be who you are inside on the outside. We invite you to climb on board the unstoppable R Train band for a non-stop fun energetic ride down the tracks toward the future and remember that life is what you make of it. Don’t forget to stop and hear and feel the music in your soul!!

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