Tonight, I’m playing solo at the Rising Sun Bistro & Cafe (10 S Main Street, Brooksville, FL) from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. I’ll be playing lots of tunes from the Ride The Iron Road CD, and plenty of of that old funky delta stuff that drives people wild! Hope to see you there!!
Well, the reports are starting to come in, and “Goin Down To Florida” is already getting some airplay!!! So far, we have:
KTUH-Honolulu, HI (May 29th)
WGLT-Normal IL (June 1st, 4 plays!!)
Edit: KTEP in El Paso, TX also played a tune today!!!
Another edit: KRVM in Eugene, OR played a tune on June 3rd!!!
Many more to come, to be sure, so stay tuned!
Franc Robert and the Boxcar Tourists are a dyed in the wool blues band, whether it be Chicago based, jump blues, Delta style, funky stuff that sounds like it just crawled out of the swamp or even the blues/rock tune they throw in from time to time or whatever the crowd and the situation might call for. Having proved to the blues purists that he can pull it off beautifully just man and guitar, he has gone back to the band format, showing the world that Franc Robert is not a one trick pony. This cat and his band may be based in Florida, but when it comes to the blues, they are citizens of the world. There is no blues style that is off limits…as long as it’s the real deal. Where so many performers are blues/rockers with the emphasis heavily placed on the rock, Franc Robert plays a style of blues that when it delves into the blue/rock arena remains deeply rooted in the blues. Much like what could be heard in jukes and roadhouses throughout the South, this is a music that is easy on the ear, easy to dance to and just plain fun. With Franc on guitars, Sam Mudd on bass, Dave Simmons on percussion, Joe Sadowski on harp, and all members of the band chipping in on vocals with Franc Robert taking the lead, this band has it covered top to bottom and side to side. Once more, all songs on the album were written by the King of the Hoboes himself. This is a legitimate band, playing what they know, and playing from the heart. This is not some overproduced thing that sounds like it came out of a can. With Franc Robert & the Boxcar Tourists what you see and hear is what you get. They’re not putting on airs for anybody. I am a blues lover from as far back as I can remember and then some. I am also a hardass when it comes to blues but I am sold on this band. They are the real deal. Muddy, Sonny Boy, Willie Dixon , Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and the others are gone now and yes, the face of the blues has changed but hearing a band like this gives me hope that the blues may yet survive. – Bill Wilson
Finally, I can do the Weekend Update!!
Tonight, we’re at Ralph’s aka San Ann Liquors (43635 SR 52, San Antonio, FL) from 6-9pm… we have the new CD “Goin Down To Florida” with us, so look out!! Sam Mudd on bass, and David Simmons on drums…
Tomorrow, I’m playing solo at the Central Florida BBQ Blowout at the Oviedo Mall (1700 Oviedo Mall Boulevard, Oviedo, FL) form 10-11am (yep, it’s early!!!)
Sunday is off, but Monday, I’m going down to LP’s Pub (904 McMullen Booth Rd, Clearwater, FL) to help with the benefit for Jared Loeb-I should be playing a solo set around 3:30 pm, then sticking around and sitting in with various other people… kids are welcome at this event till 8pm!!! And for a good cause too…
Hope to see you somewhere this weekend!!
Time for the weekend gig update-with the passing of BB King, a sad one…
Tonight, we’re at The Cove Oyster Bar (6438 Clark St., Hudson, FL) from 5-9pm. Samuel Mudd on bass and David Simmons on drums, with yours truly on guitar and vocals… to my friends, if you’d like to sit in with us and a play a few for BB, by all means, come down tonight (I’ll likely be doing the same after the gig!)
Saturday, it’s a private party that I’m playing solo, should be fun!!!
Sunday, we’re back at The Shed at MacRae’s (5300 S Cherokee Way, Homosassa, FL) from 2-6pm, once again in a trio format with Sam & Dave…
Hope to see your smiling faces again this weekend!!
Franc Robert 