Rob Drabkin

Rob DrabkinMany people choose music, but for others music chooses them. Rob began playing the electric guitar at age 11, learning note-for-note solos of every Metallica and Guns ‘N Roses tune he could find. But his metal edge began to fade after enrolling in his school’s jazz ensemble where he was exposed to an array of new artists, rhythms, chords, and more importantly, the beauty of improvisation. Noticing his natural talent for the instrument, guitar virtuoso Ted Reece took Rob as a private student. Reece introduced him to the acoustic guitar while helping him develop his ear and strengthen his playing. Rob was annually awarded excellence for his performance in the high school band and was offered a scholarship offer to join the jazz ensemble at Trinity University (TX). Throughout college, Rob maintained music only as a hobby and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in biochemistry/molecular biology and Spanish.
His academic aspirations suddenly halted one evening in New York City when it dawned on him he also wanted to sing. Having never sung a note in his life, Rob began spending six to eight hours a day, developing his voice and songwriting skills.
With a unique voice, an incredible guitar style, and a handful of original tunes, Rob stormed onto Denver’s local music scene, leaving audiences impressed. Within a mere week of open stages, he was offered his first gig at Arvada’s D-NOTE. Shortly thereafter, he was playing to full crowds at Boulder's legendary Fox Theatre and opening for national acts such as Leon Russell, Colin Hay, The Wood Brothers, Raul Midon, Backdoor Slam, and Lucy Kaplansky. Over the past two years, he has toured across the country supporting long time Dave Matthews collaborator, Tim Reynolds. And in March 2007, The Fox Theatre invited Rob as the main support for its sold-out 15th anniversary show with The John Butler Trio. His full band headlining shows in Denver and Boulder are now to sold-out crowds.
Recently, Rob performed for former President Bill Clinton, Senators Ken Salazar and Bob Hernandez, and Congressman John Salazar and he is already booked to play at The Democratic National Convention in August 2008. His song "Sweet Things" is currently in rotation on Sirius Channel 30: The Coffee House, and 97.3 KBCO has invited Rob twice now to perform in its world renowned Studio C. In addition, 93.3 KTCL, 102.3 KCUV and 99.5 The Mountain have all featured Rob live and have added him into local rotation. Rob Drabkin's career seems to escalate daily as he gains fans and recognition wherever he plays.
Kind Words:
""Rob, I would like to buy one of your CDs - Colin Hay (Men At Work) 5/26/2007
"Drabkin's self-titled album has just the right 'sweet things' that push emerging artists into the national scene. The native Coloradan has climbed the proverbial singer/songwriter ladder to the next level. And it's pretty damn impressive... Drabkin houses a honeyed, powerful voice... His melodic finger-picking and good balance of tunes ranging from rhythm guitar to folksy ditties displays his near-perfect guitar skills... He throws his all at this album, and it shows. If Drabkin keeps this up, he will shoot out of the local scene faster than the Fray." -Colorado Daily (Boulder, CO) www.coloradodaily.com/articles/2006/08/09/mix_sections/spin_ this/spin1.txt
“Playing to a sold-out crowd is one thing. But playing to a sold-out crowd on your birthday is something entirely different. Saturday was good to Rob Drabkin, who sold out the Soiled Dove Underground and he moved more than 300 tickets as the headliner…” - Brian Carney, The Denver Post http://blogs.denverpost.com/reverb/2008/01/21/rob-drabkin-th e-soiled-dove-underground/
"What sets Drabkin apart is his sizable talent as both a singer and guitarist. Lots of people can sing, and lots of people can play guitar, but very few people can blow an audience away with both at the same time. Those that can are now household names - John Mayer, Damien Rice, Dave Matthews. Drabkin is on this level. His crisp voice smoothly blankets his audience with an attentive comfort, and his ability to simultaneously execute complicated guitar riffs is enough to impress the most seasoned musician." Jesse Walker, Colorado Music Buzz www.coloradomusicbuzz.com
"Drabkin did it again… The five-song E.P. is a pleasant release to tide fans over for a while... The Denver resident has been exploding in the local scene for the past couple of years. His afro, coupled with his guitar and serene voice, is all the singer/songwriter really needs to make our town go round.” -Chisty Fantz, The Colorado Daily www.coloradodaily.com
“Rob’s CD has a warm vocal style, loads o’ sincerity, and some really wonderful arrangements…” “He's both a nimble-fingered guitarist and beyond serviceable as a vocalist... All in all, Drabkin put together a fantastic evening.” - Westword Magazine
“Like Dave Matthews, Damien Rice, and/or Jack Johnson? Turn up those speakers and check out Rob Drabkin - an unbelievably talented guitarist and songwriter. Don't like those artists mentioned? Check out Rob anyway, he's worth it. Already a success in Denver, Rob has gigged with Tim Reynolds and was recently invited to play for former president Bill Clinton. Amie Street fans took to Rob's music immediately, and within 48 hours of posting his music, Rob's songs were bought almost 100 times, and REC'd 10 times.” –David Farber, founder of Amie Street- an independent music download site. http://amiestreet.com/blog/post/sweet-things-from-rob-drabki n
"Rob doesn't leave me indifferent - far from it. As much as being gifted, the guy is generous to the point that the collection of his work is freely downloadable on his site. This being said, this doesn't prevent you to support it by buying his album on CD Baby. Briefly, you will love the guitar and the things I cited above. Rob Drabkin is made for your ears." www.ericnroll.com
"Denver singer/songwriter Rob Drabkin was invited not too long ago to perform at a fund-raiser hosted by Beth Strickland, wife of former Colorado U.S. Attorney Tom Strickland. Attending the fund-raiser at the Strickland's house in Denver was none other than President Bill Clinton.
'Everyone was talking to him about politics,' explained Drabkin. 'I went up to him and talked about saxophones for 10 minutes.'
That sums up Colorado native Rob Drabkin - always about music."
-By Peter Marcus, The Denver Daily News
"That is some springy hair...Rob in the box!!" - Anne Drabkin, sister