For those people that haven’t heard of you could you tell us a bit about yourself, your story?
I was born a poor, black child…. (kidding) I spent most of my younger years as a hard rock guitarist in some regionally successful bands. Then I discovered the glorious Banjo about 9 years ago and everything changed…..the kind of music I wrote and played, what I listened to, and where I hung out (or mostly didn’t hang out). I lost a fair chunk of my friends, fans, and income….and some folks started saying maybe I’d lost my mind, but actually it felt like I was finally finding it. I mostly play solo now, but I’m teaching my lovely wife, Sally, to play bass and she is starting to do some shows with me. “RawBeeT’s” is a wordplay on my nickname Robby T.
Who inspired you to get on stage and perform?
No one in particular. I played trumpet in grade school and started a band that occasionally played very small gigs shortly thereafter….it’s just something I’ve always done.
What artists and albums have stuck with you and influenced your sound through the years?
First and foremost The Beatles, for sure. Although you probably won’t hear much of that influence in my current music, it’s in my musical soul forever. Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson, and Chicago from my trumpet playing years. Lots of hard rock and new wave back in the 80’s. More recently, The Steel Wheels, Pete Seeger, The Steeldrivers, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Hackensaw Boys…. just folksy/ bluegrassy / Americana kinda stuff….too many to name them all.
Could you tell us a bit about the writing/recording of the ReverbNation Winning track “(CSAD) Common Sense and Decency”?
Sure. I have become keenly disgusted with American politicians and corporate corruption and the massive divide it creates amongst our peoples. Lots of my songs have that underlying theme without being too flagrant about it. I wanted to start a new, alternative political party, the “Purple Party”: take the best of the right “red” ideas (there are a few) and the best of the left “blue” ideas (there are a few) and add in some ideas to solve actual problems we face as a nation, whisk them together with no political agenda or bias…..just solutions based on Common Sense And Decency…..two things our politicians apparently don’t know anything about, but that’s all you really need.
I doubt I’d have too many folks join in, at least at first, but we could start a “purple ripple”….no red wave or blue wave…..but maybe it could grow into a tidal wave. Or maybe I’m just a dreamer. And for the record, I have no political aspirations and I would not be the leader of said party, but I’d volunteer to be the musical director!
I read that you make your own finger picks could you tell us a bit about that?
Anyone really interested should check out clawjam.com, but to summarize: there are basically two camps in banjo playing: the up pickers (bluegrass) and the down pickers (clawhammer/ old time) and there were no finger picks to allow you to do both at the same time as they are all single-bladed. So I designed my own dual-bladed pick. My mom is a silver jewelry maker so I sent her my design and she made my first pick….then it kind of went from there and I started making them myself and decided to sell them in case there were other kindred spirits who had the same desire.
What is your proudest moment as a band so far?
Actually, it’s not as a band, although I do have many from that stage of my career. I think the “proudest”… or really most satisfying moment was the first time I played a solo set of all original music on banjo and foot drums to a small crowd that actually was listening….and enjoying it. I usually have to travel to do that, as the town I live in doesn’t have much desire for that sort of thing.
What have been some of your favourite places to perform?
I play some breweries/ wineries/ distilleries up in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia that are awesome (maybe you have to have a few drinks to enjoy my stuff, haha) and I have a cabin up there so it’s kind of my second home, and the folks at these places really listen and don’t yell at me to play their favorite cover songs.
Here at Artistic Echoes, we are always on the lookout for new artists do you have any to recommend?
I recently had the pleasure to open up for a fellow named Barrett Davis at a very cool historic venue outside Williamsburg called the Glebe. I had never heard of him but checked him out online. I was blown away and a little intimidated to open for him. That intimidation went away quickly after I met him, as he is one of the most humble and, warm-hearted and sincere musicians I’ve ever met, and I’m honored to now call him a friend. Check him out on Spotify or barrettdavismusic.com His song “Your Worth” is one of the most finely crafted songs I’ve ever heard.
What plans do you have for the rest of the year?
Well, the year is almost over so I’m reflecting on John Lennon’s line in Happy Christmas (war is over) “So this is Christmas, and what have you done?, another year over, a new one just begun”. This time of year is always way too hectic, so I’m focusing on what I can do better in the coming year…as well as some of the things I’ve effed up this year.
Find out more:
Website: www.rawbeetsmusic.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Clawjam: www.clawjam.com
