About Me
I was born into a musical family. My first musical memory is of picking out "The Little Drummer Boy" on my Dad's electric organ. I was about age four, and the family carried on so. That experience (and all the attention I recieved) got me started. My grandmother, Mozelle Stringfield Swain, taught music and played piano at church for 80 years, so I guess I come by it naturally. At age 8 I started studying music under her. She exposed me to Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and other classics, which I still enjoy. My Mother had some albums of rock n Roll players like Chuck Berry, Chubby Checker, Fats Domino, and such, to which I listened extensively. My father's album collection included Leadbelly, Inkspots, Roger Miller, and Louis Armstrong, all of which I still enjoy. A few years later, The Beatles did The Ed Sullivan Show, and I was hooked on Rock and blues.
Flash forward to High school, where I started my first band. We did Chuck Berry tunes and other fun stuff til I met Bert Brown, who turned me on to The Allman Brothers and Mountain. I needn't tell you the effect these powerful music groups had on me.At age 18 Bert and I started playing bars, festivals, bike rallies, and everywhere else that would give us a little stage time.These gigs gave us an opportunity to learn a bit about stagecraft, and have a lot of fun. Bert went to college(degrees in anthropology and music), while I played acoustic guitar solo gigs. I got married, had kids and got serious about my day job(construction) while still playing gigs. Bert came home from college a very able and knowledgeable musician, and we re-formed the duet.
Time passed. We played in several bands, together and separately, learning and meeting cool people along the way. I must admit that between carpentry, rehearsals, family and gigs my plate was quite full.
It was around this time, that the Jaramillo family opened a music venue in the area (western N.C.), and I had another strong musical influence in my musical life. Bob and Jimmy, both incredible players, introduced me to Old Time, Bluegrass, and Dawg music. The fun, good friends, and music we made at Jaramillo's Pickin' Parlor enriched my life, and gave me strength to get through some tough personal times.
Flash forward again, and I found that, with my kids grown I had a bit more timr to spend listening, studying, and playing different kinds of music. Still, I never lost my love of Blues and Early Rock n Roll.
So, there's a quick rundown. I didn't have space or time to go into a lot of events and people who've had very strong influences on me. Events like, Seeing John Lee Hooker live, and meeting James "Guitar Slim" Stevens. People like the Peek family, the Henderson family, Malcom Holcombe, and too many others to name.
In conclusion, I'd like to send thanks to all those mentioned above as well as, Bill Harkness, The Craig family, C. W. Konrad II, every member of every band I've been in, all my kids, and grandkids, and friends. Just know that I love all you guys, and treasure the blessings you've brought me and my family. I thank God for each and all of you.
Robert Swain
