JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Success Stories Forum 20 YEARS OF DEBAUCHERY TOUR commences!

2009 marks my 20th anniversary of making music for a living {no day job!} I'm gonna commemorate with a "Live" album that will hopefully be out in a couple of months.

I never achieved the ol' cliche of "superstardom" but I've made a good living, and met lots of cool people, and have LOTS of stories to tell. I've gotten to play venues like the Bluebird in Nashville, the Seasongood Pavilion here in Cincy, and several venues on Beale St in Memphis. I've also played every s*ithole dive in the midwest {even got stabbed in one of em'!}I've suffered through indignities like opening for a Wrestling Bear,and I've gotten to open for and meet a bunch of people that I grew up listening to..{.38 Special,Dave Mason,Buddy Miles, Lonnie Mack, Blue Oyster Cult, ELO, Buddy Guy, Dr John, Ronnie Milsap, Rik Emmett of Triumph, The Guess Who, Pat Benetar ect, and even some currently popular artists {Montgomery Gentry, Dream Theater, and Todd Snider}During that span my hair turned gray {viva grecian formula!} I've gained 100 pounds, and killed LOTS of brain cells!
I've been thru 5 studio albums, 3 stints in rehab, and 2 marriages.

All in all, a long strange trip that's had far more ups than downs {Beats digging ditches!} I still have things to look forward to like a gig in Put-in Bay this upcoming summer, and a couple of my songs have been making me some x-tra cash thru Pump Audio, so I won't be packing it in anytime soon {knock on wood!}
I just wanna say it's great to be part of this organization...Here's to 20 more!

oooh oooh....Can I be a roadie?!?!?!

Midnite

Congrats! Out of curiosity, what's your percentage of originals to covers?

Good luck to you, Bob. Your story reminds me of mine. Lot's of #holes from NY to the Carolinas. Playin in clubs, 9-2, 5-6 days a week for 10 years with one divorce. But, oh those good times. Didn't know what to do for 2 years after quitting music so, after banging on drums all those years, I decided to bang on walls in construction. And here I am, full circle back into music again. Keep going for another 20 years or more and give 'em hell, Bob.

Tom...400+ covers 50+ Originals {Kind of ashamed of that ratio, it ought to be the other way around!}

Bob, wish I could afford ya!

HI Bob

Yeah !!!! keep Going ! and best wishes~ jm

Will do folks! I'm not cut out for the "real world!"

I'd call that a success. Anytime you are doing what you love and love doin' it you are a success.
And for twenty years, too.

WTG Bob.
Next time you get to Nashvegas be sure to let us know.

Bill,I'm definitely coming down sometime next summer! Maybe we'll do Douglas Corner again.

Big Congratulations on TWENTY years.....doing what you love...
Think that's really cool....Bob. Congratulations....hope you have many more.

best...
Kaley

Thanks Kaley! My new CD just came out a couple of days ago, the release party is this saturday {the 25th}. I'll have it up on CDBaby shortly. Just got another check from Pump Audio, and I've got Put In Bay coming up in June. On top of that, inspite of the miserable economy I'm still pulling off 6 nights a week gigging.{Knock on wood!} I've never for one minute taken this stuff for granted, I know this could all end tomorrow, and I'm one fortunate derelict!

Bob,

Hearty congratulations. I am just one year ahead of you in doing what I love. I've been fortunate enough to always do about 70% originals (guess I have a lot of people fooled into liking my originals)and over the past ten years turned my focus from performing to teaching predominatly. Was the best thing I have ever been able to do.
Always try to pass on what you know, like you do here. It makes a difference.

Congrats,

MAB

Thanks Marc, that means a lot coming from you. I always try to lend a hand to the up-and comers. A lot of people helped me out when I was getting started. Some guys in my position are leery of helping the youngsters for fear of losing their "spot", but I've learned to just take care of MY buisness, and everything else will take care of itself.

Wow Bob.. I might have some small successes here and there, but you're a true music industry veteran. Congratulations on all your past and continuing success, and good luck with your new tour!!

BIG smiles for you BIG guy ! !

Thanks fellers!

Congratulations BC, guys like you are on the front lines. I've always called you the hardest working member of JPF. You're the go-to guy for questions about live gigs.
I was consumed in a regular career 20 years ago trying to be a professional pilot. I emerged from an expensive flight academy as a guitar picker and somewhat of a song writer entertaining the big-wigs and Japanese flight students (who don't clap or cheer by the way, just their custom).
I'm glad that I learned to fly, but wish that I did what you did. I'm teaching a little now and hope to start gigging again. I would like just to make a modest living out of it and I know that it's up to me. You da' man to look up to. Ben

Congrats to ya, Bob! I've been doing it '62. yeah, I'm a old fart! Akthough Ihave done other things along the way, I have made more money from music than everything else combined. In the 70's & 80's, was pulling down $750 - $800 a night for a 5 piece band 25 - 28 shows per month. Did that for almost 12 years. What made it even nicer was that my ex-wife was the bass player, so that made it double nice! That was big bucks back then.

Happy to hear you're able to do what ya love. here's to another 20 great years. Wishing you well and continued success.

Alan

Thanks guys, all I need is a brain and liver transplant, and I'm good for another 20!

Congratulations, Bob! Your comment about a new liver made me think of that Cake song, Rock n Roll Lifestyle.

"Aging black leather and hospital bills,
Tattoo removal and dozens of pills.
Your liver pays dearly now for youthful magic moments,
But rock on completely with some brand new components."

Wonder whatever happened to those guys? They obviously didn't make it for 20 years. Keep on keepin' on, new liver and all.

Hi Wendy!..Their first mistake {Cake} was doing a VERY lame version of a bad disco song {I Will Survive}
Secondly I can say that I've never worn black leather pants, which would be especially futile now given my ever expanding waistline!
{They would split down the middle and shoot me across the room!}

Happy 20th, Bob. Let me know when you get back to Nashville, I'll come out and watch you party

Folks, Bob's shows are a one man party. He's very entertaining and actually makes you think...I mean drink, he makes you drink Good cds, too, I'm not surprised you're getting action on Pump Audio.

All the Best,
Mike

Mike, I'm planning on being in Nashville tuesday August 25th. Lets round up the crew and do the Douglas Corner thing again!

Hey, CONGRATS Brother Bob...on bein' a HERO to Non-Performin'-Wimps, like Myself. You've taken The Dream and LIVED IT...

Most of us couldn't endure 2 Years..let alone 20..at The Game!

So again, CONGRATS...You are SO Inspirational...& I hope those checks get Ever-Bigger & the Onstage Tossed-Undies get ever-prettier!

Best Wishes & a Big Guy-Hug,
Stan

Thanks Stan, unfortunately like my OWN waistline, the undies keep gettin' bigger!

Bob,
what you've got is better than a gold watch.

Enjoy,
John

How ironic John that just a few minutes ago my watch stopped ticking and croaked {seriously!}

BTW Andrew,you're getting your songs placed in a major T.V show is hardly a "small success", and I thank you for the tips on going about the same myself! Keep it up and continued success to YOU!

I'm just a lowly fan...but I have to bear witness...every time I see Bob, it's a guaranteed good time! The crowd, no matter what the size, is totally into him. He's so dynamic, so entertaining, and above all, has a BEAUTIFUL voice, you're just mesmerized from the first song. He's funny, he's truthful, he's engaging, it's just everything you'd ever want in an artist. I love his stuff...everything from "Hillbilly Fag Bar" to "Middle-aged Crazy" to (not by Bob) "Polly Urethane" and his Zep covers. There's just one catch...I get wasted every time I see him. We have this thing about doing shots together...and somehow, I always think I'm going to be able to hold it better the next time. Nope. I went home from his cd release party passing out, and the cab driver going, "Honey, ya gotta stay awake so you can tell me where you live!"

Polly, maybe that's the reason I sound so good to you...YOU'RE WASTED!!!{Next you'll be saying I'm HANDSOME too!} Seriously, you're HARDLY "lowly".. You know I was a fan of yours since I was 19!
It's funny that I didn't know who you were until recently.
Turns out Polly and I have a history.. I got thrown out of a bar for the first time at age 19 watching her sing!