Rocky Zharp, hailing from Indiana, received his first musical instrument, a harmonica, as a toddler from his great-grandmother. By the age of 15, he was already making his mark as a bass player in a three-piece rock band. Following a successful local talent contest win, Rocky enlisted in the army, where he showcased his talents by playing guitar, harmonica, and singing original compositions.

After relocating to California, Rocky joined Bodie Mountain Express, a bluegrass/country band with a history of recording for RCA Records and collaborating with Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley’s manager. The band performed at numerous county fairs and festivals across Southern California, marking the beginning of Rocky's recording career. Before releasing his own music, he contributed harmonica work for various recording artists and has since released seven CDs.

Rocky has received recognition for his theatrical contributions, winning the Inland Theater League Award for his role in the production “The World of Carl Sandberg.” He also garnered positive reviews for his performance in “Hard Travelin’ a Tribute to Woody Guthrie.” Additionally, he has dabbled in stand-up comedy and has served as an instructor for a comedy traffic violator school for thirteen years. For a time, he hosted a weekly blues radio show titled “The Great Blues Mix” on KHPY radio in Moreno Valley, California, a station that has since transitioned to Spanish programming.

Throughout his career, Rocky has played harmonica alongside notable jazz and blues musicians, including Eric Burdon, The Mighty Flyers, The Toller Brothers, Jerry Van Blair, Bill Shields, and Big “J” McNelly. He has also collaborated with well-known artists such as Don Ho, Freddy Fender, Rosie & the Originals, Randy Fuller, and Buddy Merrill. His recording credits include work with Junior Watson, Larry Taylor, Honey Piazza, Jody Reynolds, and Johnny Neal.

Rocky has opened for a variety of prominent acts, including Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers, Canned Heat, Corey Stevens, Molly Hatchet, The Crests, Utah Phillips, and Highway 101. He has released both a live CD and a studio album titled “Crackin’ the Blues” with his band, The Blues Crackers, who promote mandatory fun and audience participation. In 2002, he launched two CDs: “The Best Of Rocky Zharp,” which received airplay in the United States and Europe, and “The Blair Zharp Project,” a children’s album featuring Irish folk singer Andrea Blair, which included two number one hits on mp3.com.

The Blues Crackers marked their fifth consecutive year performing at “Jazz In The Pines” in Idyllwild, California, in 2002 and were booked to return in August 2003. The band also played at the 18th annual Monterey Bay Blues Festival on June 29, 2003, and was invited back for the following year.

Rocky’s original song “Scars,” featured on both the “Crackin’ the Blues” and “The Best Of” CDs, was included on the December/January 2003 compilation CD of Blues Revue Magazine, distributed worldwide. His holiday song “Merry Merry Christmas” from his Christmas album appeared on the “Ho Ho Hospice” compilation CD, which aimed to raise funds and awareness for hospice care across the United States. Additionally, his country track “Too Drunk To Stagger” was featured on the anti-drug/pro-family compilation CD “Songs of Recovery” by Sun Ray Addictions.