By Amy
LoneStarBiker — First Edition
Page 40
Tall drink of water, anyone?
By Amy
Charlie Robison is the living, breathing definition of a long, tall Texan, y'all. Only his talent and his relaxed, neighborly demeanor match his stature. A demeanor that put me at ease as he towered over me during our interview in the parking lot of Mo's Place in Katy, TX, even as the crowd inside waited eagerly for him to come in and start singing. I had always suspected that Charlie was that easy-going, laid back kind of guy, at least that's the impression the man gives on stage, engaging captive audiences as he recounts through song the nearly universal experience of life in Smalltown, USA. Which is probably why he has such a loyal following, why people young and old enjoy his music (stories), and know the words to all the songs by heart. Simply put he's every man's man.
Those of us lucky enough to live in Texas know from daily experience that there is an untamed poetry about the landscape of our state, and in the people who inhabit is as well. The life rhythms of Texas are as varied and alive as a worldwide block party might be. And it's safe to say that the music of Charlie Robison reflects that poetry and variety and liveliness of Texas better than just about anybody's. I've seen Charlie's band three times now in the last two years and every single time I've come away with a mile-wide grin on my face and a happy little bounce in my step. I won't describe each performance in detail like I usually would, because honestly, it's something one should really experience for one's self.
But if you can't go see him just yet, the next best thing would be to buy his new CD, Charlie Robison – Live. It was recorded over two nights of live performances at the famous Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, TX and includes just about every song that is a staple of a live Charlie show. I've been wearing out my copy of Step Right Up for the past couple of years, but truthfully, I prefer the real thing, the live performance over the studio recordings. It just plain makes a difference to be right there and a part of the party.
But back to the parking lot of Mo's where I met Charlie in person, and got to speak to his steel/mandolin player, Kim Deschamps, again, after meeting him a couple years ago. "Unassuming" was the word of the night, as The Enablers pulled up in a plain, gray van trailing a U-Haul with equipment and Charlie followed in his own dirty F150. I had asked his management for my usual e-mail interview, but I was told "Charlie doesn't do e-mail", so I got one better. The audience was inside waiting, but Charlie gave me his full attention for a few minutes while I taped an interview with him, and he made me feel like we had all the time in the world.
He may be a rebellious cowboy on stage, but in my experience, Charlie Robison is all pure "Texas gentleman".