Rob Blackwell Music

1945

Rob Blackwell — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:59:26 +0000

Here is a video I made for my new single, 1945.

This song is a reminder of the price that paid for us to live in a free country. I wrote it after watching the Ken Burns documentary, The War.

I thought of my grandfather and how the decisions he made and others like him, have positively impacted generations they would never know.

Click here to view the embedded video.

WBFJ Feature On Local Flavors

Rob Blackwell — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:00:42 +0000

Thanks again to all who participated in or commented on the ‘Whisper” slideshow over Valentine’s Day. It was a lot of fun putting it together with David Horne of West Hall Media. It’s cool to see the love in that many faces. Just because Valentine’s Day is over, don’t let that stop you from loving your better half!

I wanted to also tell you all about a radio interview that will be on wbfj radio out of Winston-Salem. It’s 89.3 on the FM dial there and 103.5 in Greensboro. It’s the first interview I have done in a long time, and I am pleased to have done it. The staff at the station were all very nice and I look forward to working with them again. So, if you get a chance to listen, the air times are…

Sat 2/19 @ 11am & 5pm
Sun 2/20 @ 8am & 6pm

You can always catch the abbreviated version here: wbfj Local Falvors- Rob Blackwell.

I will be diving in to why I write songs and what my songs are about. Thanks again for your support!

Local Flavors of the Day

Rob Blackwell — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 04:43:41 +0000

Today I was invited and honored to be a guest on WBFJ’s Local Flavors. The radio show covers regional artists from around the Triad of North Carolina. Some of the Artists they have featured in the past include: Dennis Nealy, Abigail Owens, Chi Rho, and Runaway City to name a few.

Local Flavors is hosted Kurt Meyers. He is one of the nicest guys I’ve met in a while and made me feel welcomed in the studio. We talked about the Back to Innocent EP (Have you picked up a copy yet?), my experience as an artist, and the calling on my life. It was a blast and we had great fun.

I’m not sure the air date yet, but it will be the first part of February. I will keep you informed here at RBM, Facebook, and Twitter. Thanks again to Abigail Owens (Can’t wait for her new record next month) for opening the door.

Have a great week. Be awesome.

Back to Innocent Release…Relief

Rob Blackwell — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 01:28:17 +0000

It’s the night before my EP, Back to Innocent, releases and I’m watching the BCS National Championship game. I cannot believe it’s finally happening. Not only this game, but my release. This CD has taken 16 months to finish. It has been shear joy and utter frustration. Much like my life so far and I wouldn’t trade one second of any of it.

I really hope you all like it. But if you don’t, it’s ok. Just know that it took sacrifice and hard work to make this thing happen by many people. Some are listed on the CD, some are not. If you weren’t, you know who you are, you are just as important as any one on there. Even me.

Please consider supporting this CD by purchasing a copy. Even if you pray for it, that is needed. Whatever you decide, consider all of the work and effort. Make that a routine for your life. If it’s worth getting out of bed for, then do it. Well, pour yourself into it. Support things like this.

Thanks, the Journey has just begun.

Band Merch Matters

Rob Blackwell — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:28:27 +0000

With what seems like many lifetimes of retail experience under my belt, I see things from a sales perspective more often than not. I try and turn it off, but it always gets me. This comes to play even when I go to a show and see the bands’ merch tables. When I want to purchase a CD or a shirt, I expect a few things from the artist. Here’s what I expect, and what you should be seeing and hearing from me from show to show.

Keep the band merch area clean. At a club, this is difficult to do. But some examples could include not smoking or drinking around the table, not eating at the merch table, and putting merch in it’s spot when the potential customer is done with that particular item. (hopefully its home is in the customers hands!)
Be Visible. Try and find a high traffic area to set up in. This is not as important if the band mentions where the table is and any specials they have. The key is to be a place of importance.
Have someone you trust behind the table. Too often I see merch people playing on the laptop or trying to score a date rather than sell merchandise. As a merch person, your number one job is to sell band merch. Greet the customer. Build trust with the customer. Recommend items to the customer. Sell multiple items at once. In other-words, be a GREAT salesperson.
Never let anyone leave without something. Flyers from the show, stickers, even a giveaway CD is crucial to building a fan base. People want souvenirs from experiences they enjoy. Do not be afraid of rejection. People may not want to re-live the night. But don’t take it personally. Always offer something.
Always take a folding card table. Too many bands rely on the venue to provide space and tables. I have seen several bands that have sold items directly from their plastic containers. Big no-no. I’m not saying that the table needs to look like a department store, but take some pride in your product, yourself and what you do.
Have a donation jar. People love tipping musicians and great merch people. Let them know its there and that the band is grateful for any help with gas, food, or laundry money on the road. Make them sign the guest-list, put a star by it and thank them via personal email the next day.
Have a legible way to capture emails. Too many times bands have the fan sign up for the mailing list by writing in the information. One of my goals is to have a laptop set up for this purpose at shows, and to manage the list on the road. (Tools like Fanbrige allow you to do this).

Lastly, your band’s merch person is your liaison between the fan and you. Make sure he/she is and amazing communicator, and really cares about what people want/need. This person needs to be handing out free downloads during the first 10 minutes of the show. About the time song 3 rolls around, have the band say hey to you and tell the fans about your table. Then, greet the customer, and sell them whatever they want. Make them a customer for life. Remember, you may only get one shot face to face to sell the merch, and the band to customers. Also remember that these people will be fans even after the show, and will shop online. Make sure that the customer has a good experience.

Fans: make sure your experience is as good at the merch table as it is/was at the show. Your time and money is valuable, and you should be treated as such. Remember that you don’t owe anyone a sale just because they play music.

photo credit: Joe Madonna

Whatcha got new to play for me today

Rob Blackwell — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:16:51 +0000

I have people ask me to do all sorts of things on a day to day basis. Probably because I have a hard time saying no. When I was in college, there was a girl that ALWAYS asked me to play and sing for her. I mean, all the time. I was glad to oblige, but it always left me with a feeling of being used. So, word got around, and a phrase was started among my friends:

Whatcha got new to play for me today, Rob?

When I was writing my new single, ‘Play Me Something New‘ (for the upcoming Back to Innocent EP), this was my thought process. I am so glad that my wife doesn’t ask me to play all the time. From time to time when she does, that old used feeling will come up. That’s why I wrote the second verse to that song. The scenario is quite different now. She wants to hear me play because it’s me, not some fantasy she wishes it was. And she really cares about what i have new to play for her.

If you are interested, you can listen and download it for free [here].

Ever wanted to go back?

Rob Blackwell — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:24:22 +0000

Ever wanted to go back? Ever wanted to change the world? Ever wanted to have a parade in your honor? Yeah, me too. Odds are, none of these will come easy. What if we could go back, or change the world with relative ease?

As a songwriter, I can do all of these things with ease. Inspiration for me is all around. I equate it too an orchard in the summer. Many tree producing many different fruits. All are ripe, and all are reachable. Some I need only reach for while others I may need a ladder to obtain.

I am a huge history buff. Recently, I was watching a world-war 2 documentary and was inspired to write about a time that seems all but fictional to me. A place where every one of the feelings and the emotions of a simpler time are still alive. You see, this place may be easily obtained, if only in my head.

Through songs; I can go back to a time that seemed innocent, yet victimized. I can go back to a time where we changed the world, and parades were thrown in our honor. And while the song may have come easy, the cost was heavy, and the burdens were unbearable. I can go back to 1945.

photo credit: pingnews.com

Life Lesson #3 – Help!?! and Citizen Gulf

Rob Blackwell — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:41:00 +0000

When I was called by a friend to do a Citizen Gulf benefit, hosted by Social Media Club Greensboro, show last week, I couldn’t resist. I never turn down a chance to help. I thought that I would be going, doing something nice, and going home. Little did I realize that I would be the one helped the most.

Chuck Hester (twitter.com/@chuckhester) and Tammy Friedeck (twitter.com/@storyofme) taught me volumes with short talks.

Tammy, a professional social media guru, taught me a few things. Always ask the why, the who and the what next in anything. This has changed my way of looking at my business and how i help people. It made me long for relationship and not interaction. She also said to not leave people liking you or what you do. Her quote was ‘give them goosebumps.’ What a statement. At the end of every show, I am striving to leave you all that way.

Chuck was about one theme. He lives the life of pay it forward. His stories were a call to action not only in the event, but also for a person’s life. He is one of the most connected people i have ever met, and uses his relationships to help others. What a concept. What if we all did something for someone without expectation for ourselves, but for others. I lend Sam 5 bucks and say don’t pay me back. Give it to the next person that needs 5 bucks. He said ‘we do half of this anyway’; talking about the favors we do daily for others.

Lesson Learned: give and then give some more. Give ’till it hurts. I thought I was hot stuff for writing a song. The reality is the event was a divine appointment to show me that I can give more than just a song. I can invest in people and lives with relationships and interaction. Looks like I received the benefit.

Thanks again to @johncass, @robainbinder, and @kennedypittman for giving me the opportunity to be a part. It was great meeting everyone.

Please check out “New Sunrise” in support for the Gulf victims.

photo credit: citizengulf

Singing our national anthem

Rob Blackwell — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 04:39:51 +0000

I was honored to sing our national anthem tonight in Greensboro, NC at the Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball game. (www.gsohoppers.com) AMAZING feeling. The sound was top notch. I felt like John Legend in Yogi Berra’s body. Confident and secure, yet out of sorts and nervous. The echo was almost tear invoking. Also, my daughter’s first ballgame. A night of EPIC proportions.

The Hoppers are a top notch organization, and i wanted to thank them for allowing me to serve in that capacity. I hope to do many more. God bless you all, and have a wonderful Sunday!

Recording

Rob Blackwell — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 01:04:58 +0000

Justin Taylor

So yesterday I recorded the last bit of my new E.P. coming out soon. Yes, it’s been a long time since I went there, and I wanted to be done much sooner. Glad I waited. Justin Taylor and Zach Beane came and recorded on the record. My oh my. Let’s just say that they both provided some UNREAL help to me and this project.

There were some great moments Tuesday and I was fortunate enough to have them on tape. Just amazing stuff.

Zach’s stuff coming soon. You can find Justin Taylor at…

www.iamjustintaylor.com

Peace and Love, and off to bed for me.