Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise stops in Dallas

Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise formed randomly in 1994 after Jeff Fowlkes and brothers Michael and Andrew Nehra overheard Bradley singing on the streets of Detroit.

The threesome invited Bradley, a 50-year-old blind man, up to their studio to complete a few acoustic recordings and were impressed enough to invite him to be their lead singer.

Blackwater Surprise has released four albums. Its most recent, titled New Ground, was released earlier this year.

Due to widespread approval the band has acquired, they have opened up for bands including the Dave Matthews Band, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Widespread Panic and Maceo Parker.

The band has received public approval for its eccentric stage set-up and its energetic aura while performing.

Typically Blackwater Surprise’s music is considered blues, however fans have commented on its similarity to gospel, especially live.

On Sunday Blackwater Surprise will perform at the Gypsy Tea Room.

The band’s three original members had experience before collaborating for Blackwater Surprise. Guitarist Michael Nehra and bassist Andrew Nehra have production experience that they acquired from production efforts with Detroit local band Majesty Crush.

Fowlkes, the band’s drummer, was previously a member of Second Self, a Detroit-based band. Previous experience helped the band become a successful, well-recognized blues band.

Bradley, on the other hand, acquired experience from his career as a street musician. Originally, Bradley began his instrumental studies on the piano at the school for the blind, but due to its immobility he later picked up the guitar.

This he could carry with him on his singing trips around the United States. Bradley, an Alabama native started traveling at the age of 26 and supported himself with the money he made from performing for 24 years.

His favorite Greyhound route 80 West, took him from Chicago to Des Moines to Omaha to Cheyenne and finally to Denver. He would also frequent Salt Lake City, Reno, Sacramento and San Francisco.

Will Hodge will open for the band at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from Star Tickets for $14.