RagDolls Vault

Welcome to RagDolls.

This is where you can go behind the scenes of my Aerosmith tribute band ~ from the early days of building the show during the pandemic to rehearsals, live performances, and moments on the road.

You’ll find everything from our first livestream performances to real shows, backstage moments, and glimpses into how the band has evolved over time.

Ragdolls has been such a fun and powerful outlet for bringing this music to life on stage, and this space captures that journey along the way.

For more on Ragdolls, including upcoming shows and tour dates, visit:
https://www.ragdolls-band.com

 

Early Days (2020 Livestream Era)

Behind-the-Scenes ~ RagDolls Rehearsal (September 2020)

Here’s a little sneak peek at the RagDolls’ most recent rehearsal for our upcoming Livestream. As you can see, we rehearse in singer Susie’s backyard, right next to the swimming pool (so there’s not a lot of room to move around without getting electrocuted!😜).

Also, the night of the rehearsal, SOME sort of animal had died somewhere in the vicinity, and the whole yard smelled PUTRID! (some of my facial expressions may reflect me getting a big whiff of rotting animal! That or getting munched on by hungry mosquitoes 😉)

As you’ll see, last night I was in full “concentration” mode, making sure I had my parts down and could hear everything else going on in the band. From now until our first show, I’ll be practicing the set every night in order to really get the songs under my fingers so I can just let loose and have fun on stage!

 

Behind-the-Scenes ~ RagDolls Soundcheck/Pre-Show (October 2020)

Here’s a peek at RagDolls’ soundcheck at the studio we recorded our live show from in Orange CA. The screens behind us were really fun! They had seemingly limitless choices — the deer behind us was pretty weird…

Plus a little bit of footage from the dressing room, including our tradition of sharing a little bit of Honey Jack before the show 😜

Band members: 

Susie Rose Major ~ Vocals
Ali Handal ~ Lead Guitar
Masha McSorley ~ Rhythm Guitar
Lex Wolfe ~ Bass
Marisa Testa ~ Drums
Julie Dolan ~ Keys

 

Draw The Line (Livestream 2020)

This is how RagDolls ~ my all-female Aerosmith tribute band ~ opened our first-ever show (live-streamed in October of 2020). I just LOVE playing these songs with these women! The band doesn’t want to release the whole Livestream show to the public, but I’m allowed to share the best songs with my Ali-Cats 😉 🤩 “Draw The Line” is one of my favorite Aerosmith songs, and during the show, I’m playing the same model of guitar that Joe always plays on this song: a see-thru acrylic Dan Armstrong guitar. It’s wild-looking and really fun to play!! 🎸

 

Same Old Song And Dance (Livestream 2020)

Here’s the 2nd song from the RagDolls’ (Aerosmith tribute band) first gig this week. I played several solos in the song, including some slide, where I used my glass slide that I painted (on the inside) with red nail polish, so I could find it every time I drop it mid-set!😉

Maybe next time the cameramen will actually catch me PLAYING my solos! 😏

 

First Shows & Building the Band (2021)

Behind-the-Scenes ~ RagDolls Photo Shoot (May 2021)

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes video from our photo shoot on May 17, 2021. I think you’ll be able to tell how much fun we were having!! 😁

 

Behind-the-Scenes ~ RagDolls First Live Show (May 2021)

A little preview of RagDolls live show (and our backstage antics)… MUCH more footage (and professional footage!) to come!!

In the meantime, here are some photos I took from this show 😊

 

Ragdolls at The Saban Theatre (June 2021)

Here’s some video footage from the RagDolls' show at the Saban Theatre, taken from an audience member. As you can see, there was someone onstage taking video footage, but I don’t think his footage turned out.

Unfortunately, you can’t hear any of my background vocals in the audience (I heard them onstage! Usually it’s the opposite problem!!)

Below you'll find a photo montage of this show. Photos by Gary Alpert (c) 2021.

 

Behind-the-Scenes ~ RagDolls Set List Tour

Here’s a little “tour” of the set list that master guitar tech Thomas Nordegg made for me & the band for our most recent show. 

 

Behind-the-Scenes ~ Pics & Video from RagDolls’ Arizona Gigs (Sept 2021)

Here’s some footage with our fantastic keys lady, Julie Dolan (we carpooled to Arizona that time  🤩)

I swear the still from this video reminds me of “Thelma & Louise!”

You’ll also see some fun photos with Snapchat filters below 🤪

 

RagDolls on TV!

Here’s the TV clip from RagDolls playing the morning show “Good Morning Arizona” last weekend.

We drove to Arizona the night before, stayed in a friend’s timeshare (ping pong table included!), and got up before 6am to appear on TV the night of our first show in Scottsdale that weekend. It was a blast, and Masha and I each got our nails done with glitter for the occasion (and apparently the camera people noticed! ha!)

We thought “Toys in the Attic” would be a good coffee substitute for the audience of “Good Morning Arizona!” 😜

 

Live Performances (2022)

Behind-the-Scenes ~ Live @ Whisky a Go Go (July 2022)

RagDolls recently performed at a benefit called “CrueFest” at the Whisky-A-Go-Go. Here’s a little behind-the-scenes footage captured by honorary RagDude Patrick Terry. 

I had recently applied five temporary tattoos to my arms, and I didn’t tell my fellow band members, which was kinda fun. 😜 Poor Masha was looking at me like a confused kitten until I explained to her that they were temporary!! (They looked pretty real! haha)

 

Live in New Hampshire (August 2022)

Here’s a little snippet from RagDolls’ recent show in New Hampshire (to a crowd of 30,000 people!).

Even more importantly, the Chaos & Kindness festival we performed at hosted no less than FIVE Fried Dough concession stands, so naturally, I had to get photos of every. single. one. of them!! 😜

 

Draw The Line (Live in New Hampshire, August 2022)

“Draw the Line” is one of my FAVORITE Aerosmith songs to play! I lugged my clear, plexiglass Dan Armstrong guitar all the way across the country to be able to play this song with the utmost authenticity! 😜 (Joe Perry uses this guitar for “Draw The Line” at every Aerosmith show)

We always have SO much fun playing this song ~ it’s pure energy, and was especially invigorating playing for our biggest crowd yet (somewhere between 40,000 – 50,000 people).

Walk This Way (Live in New Hampshire, August 2022)

Here’s our version of “Walk This Way,” closing out the RagDolls biggest show of 2022. My very favorite Joe Perry lick is in this song: the 4-bar mini-solo right after Chorus 1 (when Steven says “Just gimme a kiss…“) ~ it’s SOOOOO groovy! And I LOVE playing the iconic outro guitar solo ~ I especially had a blast playing that to 50,000 people (by the time we played this song, at the end of our set, the festival was at capacity!)

 

RagDolls at (and on!) Canyon Lake (September 2022)

Here’s some footage from me and my RagDolls right before our Canyon Lake gig!! ✨

This ended up being one of our last gigs in 2022, but we’re so excited and ready to rock the socks of 2023 😎🎶

Behind the Scenes & On the Road

Behind-the-Scenes ~ Ali vs. RagDolls at Soundcheck

This is what happens when Masha (or anyone) plays ANY song from Poison in my vicinity… 😜

 

Behind-the-Scenes ~ Mammoth Rock Music Festival & Yucaipa Show (August 2023)

Here’s some behind-the-scenes footage and photos from RagDolls’ recent shows (and sound check!) in Mammoth Lakes and Yucaipa CA 🤩

SO much fun making loud rock music with these ladies!!