Rocky Roberts

Hi Folks, I’m happy to announce the release of my debut album “Rocky Roberts & Friends”. My journey through music followed some of the roads that led to the development of what is now called Alt Country or Americana. It started in High School hanging with a pal, Nils Lofgren, as he started crafting his songs and sound. I then found myself working on the stage at Woodstock. Dazed and amused by all, I was really struck by Tim Hardin and The Band. A few months later I headed out west with NIls and his band “Grin” to hook up with the folks Neil Young had introduced him to. Arriving at The Corral in Topanga Canyon, Grin did a series of shows. I noticed a slim figure hanging in the corner in a Nudie suit. Friends told me it was Gram Parsons. Who? I would soon be kicking myself for not at least talking to him. I moved to San Francisco and got myself a guitar and started writing songs. A few years later I began playing in my first stage band “Aces & Eights” in Marin County, Calif. We had the fun of sharing the stage with the likes of Asleep at the Wheel, Commander Cody and The New Riders Of The Purple Sage. That style has stuck with me through the years. My next band was called Rocky & His Friends playing shows in the Bay Area. Most memorable was opening for one of Doug Sham’s last shows at Slims in San Francisco. A couple of years ago I was asked to perform in a show honoring Nils Lofgren at the Strathmore Hall in the Washington D.C. area. I was thrilled to participate, and can be seen on the DVD “A Tribute to Nils Lofgren”. Over the last many years I have been working as a tech tuning up musicians like Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Patti Smith, Paul Simon, Wilco and others. Working around all these great songwriters and players, I was inspired to put this collection of my songs and a few favorite covers together for an album and start performing again. I was lucky to be able to call on some friends I have known and worked with over the years to add their talents. Coming full circle, Nils Lofgen plays on a number of songs, as well as Sarah Harmer, Tony Scherr (From Bill Frisell), Bill Kirchen (from Commander Cody), Mickey Rafael (fromWillie Nelson’s Band), Anton Fier (Golden Palominos and the Feelies) and others. I hope you enjoy the songs. I sure had fun making them. Thanks,