A CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT RANDOLPH

Having a conversation with the man that is bringing the pedal steel guitar to the light of day proved to be not only a learning experience but a thoroughly entertaining one as well. Coming from a pure love for the music that he plays, as well as a considerable knowledge of the background of his unusual instrument, it is easy to see why this young musician is being ravenously devoured by the music scene of which he knows so little about. Setting remarkable precedent, in the first few months of his professional career, his band opened up for the likes of the North Mississippi All Stars, Victor Wooten, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe and the Derek Trucks Band. In addition to sitting in with several of these acts, he also appeared onstage with Medeski, Martin & Wood at their Halloween performance at the Beacon Theater in New York City. Yet, as someone new to the "jam" scene, Robert offers a refreshing perspective to the success of his band.

"I don't get overwhelmed by the experience unless people tell me who they are; like, I didn't know how big MMW was 'til I arrived at the Beacon, and like 4,000 people, or whatever it is, and I was like, good God, they must be big time!"

Though unfamiliar to many of the bands that comprise the so-called 'jam' scene, a stranger to pure music genius he is not, a fact that does not go unrecognized by his rapidly growing fan base. Playing a customized 13-string pedal steel guitar, Robert first picked up the instrument while playing in church.

"The pedal steel guitar originated from my church, called The House of God, introduced by a guy named Willie Eason. And while it has been around for about seventy years, I am actually what they call the younger prototype, because I am more versatile; I can play more rock-ish, more gospel-ish... all that."

The instrument, more common to country western music, is played sitting down, and appears from afar to be more of a keyboard like instrument with an incredibly amazing range.

"When people see me playing, they are like, what IS that thing? Who ARE you? I want to be the one to blow it up so that everyone knows what it is... plus I really enjoy playing the instrument."

Raised in North Jersey, and coming from a family background where everyone is musically oriented, Robert surrounds himself with family, as his band is mainly comprised of cousins. Playing alongside of him is his cousin Danyell Morgan on bass, Marcus Randolph (cousin) on drums, and John Ginty on the hammond B3 organ.

"Family reunions are like real crazy cause everybody plays something. But I am the only one that plays pedal steel guitar," describes Randolph, adding with his infamous laugh, "and I am the only one that can't sing."

Anyone that has not yet heard the sound of the Robert Randolph Band is bound to be more than curious as to what exactly all the fuss is about.

"The pedal steel guitar has a more full sound... even when you solo, it just has such tone to it. As far as my music goes, I try to to compose my music to be energized... straight energy.... it is very versatile. Our band does not even practice. With us being new, people don't even know what to expect; but we will never play a song the same way twice, only because you get more energy between each other... it is kinda like a surprise."

Watching a packed crowd at a recent Wetlands gig, one can definitely say that the band does in fact pour out a great deal of "energy" into their performances. Living up to a promise made on a previous occasion of "if you ain't ready to party, if you ain't ready to jam after this song," the band closed with "I Do Not Know What You Came To Do." Suffice it to say, that judging by the hand clapping, frenzied foot stomping, and crazed dancing on and off the stage, the Robert Randolph Band has got that "energy" thing down pat.

From the point of view of someone in the crowd, as corny and trite as it is to say, simply put, listening to Robert play makes one appreciate the ears we have to listen. It makes one grateful that we are open enough to allow the joy of the music he creates into our lives. And furthermore, it makes one thankful that music itself exists.

As one music industry insider once commented, at a Robert Randolph show, the crowd is almost equally divided between fans and A/R people eager to sign the hot new talent. The buzz surrounding Robert is more than well founded, and though he currently seems to remain relatively elusive to those looking to sign him, it should not be long before the band lands itself quite a deal for a group of relatively "unexperienced" new musicians. Despite the rapid success of his band, Robert himself remains extremely down to earth, and unabashedly enthusiastic about his newfound fans.

"No matter what happens, I will always remember the people that were there from the start. They are going to be on like, a permanent guest list for the band or something!"

After naming one of his songs after a group of devoted fans, Robert claimed at a show, "If I ever make it big, everybody gonna know that there are some New York City Freaks out there," thus showing that he knows how to recognize those have supported him since the inception of his band, not so long ago.

With his ever expanding group of fans, even at this early stage of the game, his "promised" guest list is liable to surpass even the wildest of imaginations in vast numbers for this impressive band. Robert's new web site, when launched at www.robertrandolph.net, will help you keep track of the whereabouts of the band, but in the meantime, folks, it looks as though you will have to either join the mailing list or scour the listings. With the powerful performances that the Robert Randolph Band is bringing to the stage, trust me, it is well worth the search.

Kristin Ciccone
New York City