INTERVIEW: Britt Lightning / Rock N’ Roll Fantasy Camp

Britt Lightning is the fierce shredder out there taking on the world with all-female hard rock band Vixen. When she’s not tearing it up onstage, she’s working as the musical director for Rock N’ Roll Fantasy Camp. The camp is “extracting ordinary people from their daily lives and giving them the opportunity of a lifetime: to live out their dreams of performing with their musical heroes.” In January 2023, Rock N’ Roll Fantasy Camp takes on Nashville for their Women’s Camp featuring legendary country singer Wynonna Judd, Halestorm’s powerhouse vocalist Lzzy Hale and guitarist Vicki Peterson of The Bangles. Keep reading to hear what Britt Lightning has to say about it… 

Hi Britt! How are you doing today?

Hi Shannon! I am great, thanks, but before getting to me I have to let you know how proud I am of everything you have been accomplishing in the business and also playing wise!

Aw, thank you so much, I really appreciate that and same goes for you! Rock N’ Roll Fantasy Camp gives fans the ability to live out their dreams onstage with some of the greatest musicians in rock history. How did you get involved with the organization?

I had always heard about Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, and would see friends posting about it here and there but never really knew what it was. One night I stayed in and did a bunch of research and read the website and everything else I could find on camp and was fascinated. I was intrigued by the business, by David Fishof’s passion and creativity, but most of all the mission. One of the most rewarding things to me about playing music for a living is the connections you make with people all over the world, and the joy you can see on peoples’ faces in the audience when they’re experiencing the music. Rock Camp is connecting and sharing the gift of music with people on a whole other level, on a deep bonding and spiritual level. Everyone grows at camp- the campers and the artists, and not only musically but personally. I was a counselor at my first camp in 2019 and the experience moved me so much that I started working with David shortly after.

That’s amazing. For those who don’t know, can you explain what the experience of attending a Rock N’ Roll Fantasy Camp is like?

Attending Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp begins with the experience of joining a band for four days. You put your phone away and get to work with your bandmates, who soon become your best friends. You are so immersed in the music, in rehearsing for your performances, in masterclasses and in jam rooms and you are so fully present and engaged that you leave behind all your worries and stresses in your day to day life. You are transported to this place where your passion gets reborn and you live out your musical fantasies.

That sounds like any music fan’s dream! What have been some of your favorite experiences working as the musical director at Rock N’ Roll Fantasy Camp?

My favorite experience of camp is always observing personal transformations and seeing relationships grow. I love seeing the sheer excitement from someone coming off stage after jamming with Joe Perry or Nancy Wilson, it is unmatched. I love seeing the amazing counselors share their experiences in their masterclasses and give priceless advice and stories to eager ears. Or seeing people that were nervous and had stage fright when they walked into camp, and then watching them rock out on stage the last night at The Whisky A Go Go dressed to the nines throwing stage moves. I could go on and on.

Because women are becoming more and more of a prominent force in the music industry, more and more young girls are being inspired to pick up instruments. How has being a member of one of the first all-female rock bands influenced you?

Being in Vixen has influenced me to continue to work hard and remember that anything is possible. I have gained experience and wisdom in playing and getting to know the women in the band, and through hearing their stories and their own personal experiences in the music business. The influx of more women in the industry is inspiring and exciting, and a lot of it comes back to the original trailblazers, Vixen being one of them. It is an honor to carry on the legacy.

Hell yeah, being surrounded by badass, talented women has that effect for sure. What are you most excited for with the 2nd Women’s Camp?

I am excited about mixing genres and having such a country icon juxtaposed with a rock icon and learning from two different worlds, or maybe we will find that they’re very similar. I am excited for this camp because the first women’s camp was really special and one of my favorite camps ever due to the very supportive, inclusive and honest energy. Each rock camp delivers a unique magic and I can’t wait to see what this very special lineup will bring.

If you could put together your dream lineup for Rock N’ Roll Fantasy Camp, who would it include?

Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, B.B. King and Randy Rhoads!

Great choices. What is coming in 2023 for yourself, Vixen and Rock N’ Roll Fantasy Camp?

New Vixen music and some great tour dates nationally and internationally, more amazing Rock Camps, kicking it off with the Women’s Camp in January and a Zeppelin themed camp with Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), Dean and Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge) in March and more to be announced very soon! And for me there’s always more travel, music and adventures!

Is there anything else you’d like to include?

You can learn more at rockcamp.com, and I do a free open house zoom call every Tuesday night where people can ask questions and learn all about the rock camp experience. You can find upcoming Vixen dates at vixenofficial.com, and all things me at brittlightning.com!