Steel the show
The electrifying sounds of Robert Randolph’s pedal steel will be alive at Trees tonight.
The combination of gospel, rock and blues will contribute to a highly energized show. This is what Robert Randolph and the Family Band are all about.
Randolphs new album, Unclassified, consists of 11 studio tracks, many shorter than those on 2002’s Live at the Wetlands album.
“We wanted to attract a much wider audience, that’s why we titled the album Unclassified,” Randolph said. “We’ve been getting all kind of crowds – one song is blue grass with soul and the next is rock – its cool.”
Randolph, a 24-year-old New Jersey native, began playing the pedal steel guitar at age 16. His interest started because he grew up watching people playing the soulful instrument. And it was inexpensive, too.
Randolph’s message – music is meant to be uplifting for everyone.
“I write music for everyone – the women, men, boys and old people,” Randolph said.
“I would like to see more artists and musicians go after what I’m going after – a good message to give to young people,” Randolph said. “Music is influential.”
“If someone tells you its okay to call a girl a “ho” or a a “bitch” you think its okay because its in a song or on TV. I believe you can have fun and still refer to women as beautiful,” Randolph said.
The Family Band is made up of Randolph’s two cousins; Danyel Morgan on bass, Marcus Randoph on drums and John Ginty fills out the band playing the Hammond organ.
Playing the pedal steel for his trademark long, intense jams at a show can be tiring, but Randolph says it’s worth it.
“It’s cool to see all that diversity – the sorority sisters standing next to the business lawyer standing next to my grandfather,” Randolph said.
If you fit into any of these categories or any one in between, come down to Trees tonight and see what all the fuss is about.
Steel the show
