Q: What first got you into music?
Rob: In elementary school they were handing out instruments if you wanted to join the band, and so I thought, hey why not? So I played trombone all through school, and took up guitar when I got to UC Santa Barbara (better for meeting girls – ask my wife!). Then some friends called and said they wanted to form a band to go to Europe, and they needed a bass player, and since I knew how to read bass clef from playing trombone, they appointed me to learn the bass, which I did.
After college and Europe, I studied some classical guitar, and did that until kids came along (at which point time got a little short). Then, when the kids got a bit older and started having their own lives, I got back into music and writing songs.
After 20+ years working on Wall Street, I decided I’d had enough and went back to full time music, and I’m having the time of my life.
Q: So let’s play a college game - if you were stranded on a desert island, what five albums would you take with you?
Rob: Beatles 1, Vince Guaraldi's Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus, Eagles’ Hotel California, Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, Lyle Lovett's Road to Ensenada. The first album I ever bought was “The Beatles Again” (the one with “Hey Jude” on it), so of course I’d need some Beatles on board. That, and a volleyball named “Wilson.”
Q: Besides your music, what do you love to do?
Rob: In my spare time I enjoy the role of gentleman avocado rancher, riding my bicycle, taking walks with my wife Ellen, getting ignored by trout, and drinking decent Italian wine.
Q: You’ve had 3 songs chart on Broadjam so far…what are you working on now?
Rob:
Well I’ve always got at least 2 or 3 songs I’m writing, and usually the same number somewhere in the recording process. Lately I’ve been writing love songs with a criminal twist. I’m not sure where that comes from exactly—the criminal part is obvious from my years on Wall Street, but the love story thing—that’s a mystery. Just kidding.