Rob Robinson - Down This Highway (2022)

Rob Robinson is an American singer and songwriter based in Fort Worth Texas. Raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Rob enjoyed a unique musical upbringing that was sparked by both of his parents involvement in drum and bugle corps. At an early age Rob was demonstrating his skills as a rudimental snare drummer which evolved quickly into playing drum set. By the time he was in Junior High School he had formed a couple neighborhood bands and began playing at school dances and parties. Being a music fan of the times, Rob’s record collection grew quickly and reflected a variety of rock n roll, jazz and soul. Still with a commitment to rudimental drumming, he gained much notoriety in his late teens becoming a three-time national snare drumming champion. But it was rock n roll and popular music that was calling to him and throughout his young adult life he explored many possibilities and projects in and around the Philadelphia area.

By the late nineteen eighties, Rob had seen a number of bands come and go and was in search of something with a bit more of a national projection. He would come upon an opportunity to perform and tour with New Jersey roots rocker Ben Vaughn. Rob hit the road with Vaughn in 1988 and 1989 as the band toured the US and Europe in support of Vaughn’s “Blows Your Mind” album. Rob refined his somewhat progressive drumming style to fit nicely into Ben Vaughn’s rock, punk and retro delivery. He then brought that energy into the studio on Vaughn’s 1990 release “Dressed in Black” (Enigma Records).

With other matters on the plate, however, including a young family, Rob opted out of another tour with Vaughn in 1990 and would spend the year at home with his new born son, Sean. It was during this time that Rob’s interest in singing and songwriting began to take shape. An acoustic guitar would provide the necessary tool for his writing and the songs started to roll out one by one. His style took on a blend of rock, country, folk and new wave. He recorded his first collection in his home studio which served as a spring board for something brand new in his life. His passion quickly shifted from playing the drums to writing songs.

The next twenty years, however, would become a roller coaster ride as Rob tried to find his way in music. In 2008, with things a little upside down in his personal life, Rob found himself in a new town along the Chesapeake Bay. Havre de Grace, MD would serve as a place of healing as he tried to pick up the pieces of a somewhat complicated life. He started writing what would become his first release in 2013 titled “Catchin’ A Ride” (MindFlight Records). That would inspire the release of a couple singles in 2015 with "Walk Away and I Believe". Rob also released a full length video for “I Believe” which was filmed along the Chesapeake Bay. He was using these peaceful surroundings as inspiration for his music while enjoying a new time in life.

After a few years of solo and band performances, which included several coffeehouse tours through the Southern United States, Rob reentered the studio in 2018 with a new collection of originals. Unfortunately the project was paused when his mother became ill with cancer. Rob spent several months looking after his mom until she passed in September of 2019. Once again feeling a bit out of sorts, He looked toward a change and new direction. After receiving an invitation from a friend to visit Texas, Rob felt the time was right to start a new chapter. He packed up his car and headed west for Texas. He arrived in Fort Worth in December of 2019. Right away he played a couple of gigs in early 2020 until the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the country. Rob, once again realizing the fragility of life decided to push himself back into the studio and reengage in a new album. In July of 2020 he met local music producer Pete Miller. The two connected right away and have been working together throughout the last year and a half.

Due out in April of 2022 is Rob's new album titled “Down This Highway”. The ten song LP is layered with hard hitting rock n roll as well as musical nuances from years of jazz and soul influences. His love of vocal harmonies is also prevalent throughout the album which features some amazing talent from the North Texas music scene. Stay tuned for ongoing announcements regarding the upcoming album.