Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Driver.
Hi Patricia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
With more than 20 years of training, performing and working with kids, Patty Driver has created Kids Who Rock Camps to provide an amazing setting for cool kids who love music, art & fun. Our team of instructors are motivated by their love of music as well as the passion to transfer their knowledge and skills to the kids. Where Different Kids Come to Be Cool and Cool Kids Come to Be Different.
Starting in 2004 Chicks Who Rock Shows were designed, by alter-ego Patty Wak, to empower adult women to play on stage together, to bond and create friendships. Chicks Who Rock Shows were held around the DFW Metroplex but mostly in Deep Ellum at venues such as Trees, The Curtain Club and Club Clearview. The bands Major Issues and then MADWAK was on every show fronted by Patty Wak who also booked the shows. Patty Wak, “My favorite shows were held at Trees, Deep Ellum, and Gas Monkey Bar & Grill where we opened shows for National Acts Lacuna Coil and Sick Puppies”.
In 2015 after many years in bands, holding Chicks Who Rock shows & working with kids at KD Studio, Dallas Children’s Theater & Girls Rock Dallas, Patty Allen-Driver (aka Patty Wak) decided to open her own camp not only to empower the children who love our camps but also to empower our volunteers who love music. Our team of leaders, students and parents create, we a Kids Who Rock Family.
Patty held the first 2 Chicks Who Rock camps in her living room in Rowlett Texas. 2017 at Platinum Music Complex Dallas Texas, Duane Tyree opened his facility to allow us to expand. 2018 we added Dudes Rock Camp at request of the moms. 2019 we moved, with Duane, to Music City Mall Lewisville Texas. 2020 we held a virtual camp with support of her husband Thomas Driver, who is also the VP of Kids Who Rock. He helped deliver instruments, art supplies and snacks to kids all around the DFW Metroplex. 2021-2022 we moved back to Rowlett and rented space from Church in the City. From 2023 we have held camp at Harmony Science Academy Garland, Texas.
Patty added Theater Club, after school program in 2024 and 2023 Kids Who Rock, Inc was formed becoming a proper 501(c)(3). You can donate and write off your gifts. We have never required payment for a student to attend camp. We have given 8 scholarships to our graduating students who pursue music or the arts, in some form or fashion after High School. Kids Who Rock have partnered with community partners like Garland Symphony Orchestra to give our students experiences they may not otherwise get a chance to experience FREE. Rockstar Q&A features musicians who give our students an insight into the LIVE Music world. Our most famous Rockstar for the last 4 years is Chuck Rainey who is one of the most recorded studio bass players in music history. Chuck Rainey has recorded albums like Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Steeley Dan and many sitcom theme songs that most people from his era would recognize., (e.g. Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, etc). He plans to come back this year. He is 85 years young. We also invite other artists such as JD Miller with Samuel Lynne Galleries, to inspire the students with visual art and music, as he is both a musician and a “reflectionist” oil painting artist.
Multiple Award-winning Camp Leader & CEO/President Patty Allen-Driver, and our Kids Who Rock Leaders, have created spaces that focus on the well-being of our students and their dreams. Our next showcase is the Dallas Songwriter’s Association Rising Stars Program featuring our Kids Who Rock who get an opportunity to perform with our Rising Stars LIVE band. Our Rising Stars band is a group of Kids Who Rock Leaders who donate their time to help the student SHINE! Our Rising Stars Band consists of Patty Driver Band Leader and Vocals, John Clark Lead Guitar, Thomas Driver Bass, Chuck Sturgeon Rhythm Guitar, Regan Rodriguez Keys, Larry Freeman Bass, Sara Pray Rhythm Guitar and Vocals, and Tom Gillis Drums. We will be at the Love in War in Texas, Plano Texas, May 9th showcase from 7pm-9pm with Dallas Songwriters Association Hall of Fame Program.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
God is Good. The journey has fairly Smooth and the biggest struggle is not having our own building. We would like our own building for after school programs, weekend workshops, band practice, studio work and so much more. We are actively looking for a permanent space. As a Non-profit 501(c)(3) we are accepting, private donors, grants and community donations. We see this dream, of our own building, in our future.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Both a Professional Realtor and Teaching kids. I am a Realtor by day and Rocker by night. 😉 Actually I teach during the day as well. Working Real Estate for over 20 years as well as teaching kids for over 20 years. I love doing both. Both involve helping people.
Starting with Dallas Children’s Theater through Big Brother’s and Sister’s I began my theater teaching efforts. Before that, after graduating from K.D. Studio Dallas, I taught the little children film acting. I have always loved teaching. After many life struggles, I am most proud of the person I am and the life I have created for myself. I truly love my husband, Thomas, and I am a very blessed lady.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Oh gosh…so many but I would have to say my broker, Ivy Boland with RE/MAX Premier, is my biggest support and help Real Estate. I use RE/MAX tools but love homereel.com for creating virtual walk through videos and G-Gemini for virtual staging. I use a lot of google products as tools in business. 44 – 5 Star Reviews as Patty Allen Your Rockin’ Realtor. For Kids Who Rock & life, My husband, Thomas Driver is my biggest personal support. Our Kids Who Rock Leaders and the love they have for our organization continue to inspire me every year.
Contact Info:
- Website: KidsWhoRock.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KidsWhoRockCamp/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kidswhorockTexas
Image Credits
Patty Driver, Thomas Driver, Morgan Taylor
