The First Family of Texas Music - The Robisons

On Saturday night, Nov 24th, Luckenbach Texas will host and be blessed with a rare performance by the entire First Family of Texas Music, The Robisons.  I have one opportunity to get this right; to shine the light properly on this Family in words and, on the night of their performance. I am extremely honored and feel privileged in many ways. These are my words, I suspect many of you reading this will agree, the talent running through the veins of  The Robison clan is hard fought, hard earned, street worthy and born from a story book life that could only be lived in Texas.  When I say "Story book life" I do not mean a sweet, cutesy life of luxury - far from it.

Charlie

The Family, which consists of Charlie Robison, Bruce Robison and Robyn Ludwick is further extended by what seems to be perfectly paired spouses.. Kelly Willis is married to Bruce. John "Lunchmeat" Ludwick is married to Robyn.  There are no other options, in the entire universe, that would round out this clan the way these two do. Kelly has an amazing solo career of her own.  Lunchmeat is a highly praised and skilled bass player.  Lunchmeat played bass for Charlie and Bruce in the late 80's and went on to tour with Kelly for a good 15 yrs or so. The Robisons have made it fairly easy to stitch this family quilt together, with the strongest of thread and the most exquisite, albeit a bit tattered, of fabrics.

Robyn 

It's not everyday that 3 out of 4 siblings get the "gifted" gene. The odds are against it really, especially when there are no apparent traces of prior musical ability in the immediate family..unless you count growing up, literally, on sawdust floors and benches in smoky Dance Halls and Honky Tonks in Bandera Texas.  You see, at a very early time in the lives of these siblings, that was their home on the weekends.  Their parents and grandparents weren't performers, they were dancers.  They were customers of these fine Texas establishments.

Bruce

It's no secret the family has been highly successful, independent of one another. The "together" part is what we normally do not see. Charlie leaped out in front playing the Texas Music scene and gaining public recognition early on. He has that incredible charisma about him.. it's infectious and it is intoxicating.  His charm oozes out..even when I have to tell him he can't smoke on the Legendary Luckenbach stage..he is charming!  I have watched him grab hold of a sleepy crowd ( anyone else would have surely lost them) and have them screaming and stomping their feet for more at nights end.  I have been through power outages and horrific thunderstorms with Charlie in my care at Luckenbach. Charlie crosses all the lines, any one you care to draw, he will cross it. Charlie makes us all feel good.  Bruce is the calm in the storm, so it seems.  He is a Robison however, the fire does burn.  Bruce has the ability to turn Luckenbach into a symphony of choreographed Rednecks! You shut up, you grab your  partner and you 2 step onto the dance floor in unison when Bruce starts to play. It is the most beautiful sight you have ever seen.  He knows how to unite the world ...  Maybe he should run for office?? Robyn, little sister, yes Robyn, you will always be the little sister and you wear it well.  Robyn is the late bloomer, the secret weapon of the family. A perfect mix of Bruce and Charlie with a very unique position..she softens the blow, just a tad bit.  Let it never be said that Robyn doesn't have the Robison fire....she packs a BIG punch and is a triple threat in songwriting, singing and instrumentally.  Her brothers will both tell you, very proudly, that she is one of the best writers of song they know. That is the highest of compliments considering Bruce has had songs covered by George Strait, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill and the Dixie Chicks. Charlie has had enormous national success with several of his self penned songs as well.  Robyn is contemplative.  She takes time to craft her words and paint vivid pictures. Robyn has a distinctive edge about her that will haunt you, in a good way, if you listen to the stories.  They are not for the faint of heart, she tells it straight.  Can she physically move you?  Yes, she can. None of the Robison's are negligent in that regard. It's a matter of Family Pride, I believe.

Steamboat Music Fest -  Bruce, Kelly, Charlie & Robyn

So what about the "together"?  Except for the occasional "Me and My Brother" acoustic tours that Bruce and Charlie embark on, the family remains fiercely independent of one another in regards to their public careers.  Bruce and Kelly are now touring together as 'The Bruce and Kelly Show".  Lunchmeat is always stage left of his bride of 20 yrs, keeping Robyn in perfect time and harmonizing with her. Charlie is still on tour throughout Texas letting the Good Times Roll.  The Robison Family made one appearance together, including Kelly, at Steamboat Music Fest  4 years ago.  It was well received.  It was at that moment when I decided, and pretty much the rest of the world, that this family is indeed, the First Family of Texas Music.  The songs just kept coming, the talent was snowballing from the stage... as well as the spirited "cheap shots" (yes, a Robison would call it that).  The Robisons are competitive and there is a sense of survival of the fittest that runs deep within, even with each other. It's a cold, hard world out there in the land of Honky Tonks and Dance Halls, your backside must be as tough as a Longhorn wandering through the briar patch.  The Robisons created and  earned every bit of their success. They have endured a span of over 25 years entertaining the world, independent of each other, so it seems.  The rest of the story is this... they are FAMILY.  They still get together on holidays, I've heard tales of food fights and unexpected fires.  A few good cussin's have no doubt ensued. If you look at the careers of each of the Robisons, there is always a sprinkling of  behind the scenes family collaboration either in production/studio, recording another's song, borrowing a band member or a piece of equipment.  Acknowledging each other in interviews and on their websites; the Robisons always acknowledge each other.  They support one another in spirit and a quiet understanding of "I know where you are, I know where you have been"  The First Family of Texas Music is united, after all. Hallelujah!

Luckenbach Texas PROUDLY presents The Robison Family Thanksgiving, Saturday, November 24th, 8pm.  All Dysfunctional Families welcome, including your in-laws :)

XO,
Abbey Road


Saturday, November 24th, 2012
Doors - 7pm.  Show starts at 8pm.
Tickets are available online at www.luckenbachtexas.com
Advance tickets $30. Day of show $35

People, People, People !

  People Watching is one of our favorite past times. Be Who You Be.. and we might take your picture :)

 These girls are most definitely taking advantage of the view of our AweSome Sky.  Or they needed a nap before driving home??

Always, always wear your heart on your ........

Old Guys are SeXy!  And get all the women!

Luckenbach is a HiGH Fashion destination..be sure and dress appropriately.

BeWaRe of  "going ons" in Snail Creek Hat Shop!  Ladies with Swords and Men with bad hats.

                                   

It's all in a day at Luckenbach Texas. Rest assure, there are no 2 DayS aLikE in this town.

Be SoMeBodY, wherever you are :)

Abbey Road

*photos by Robbyn Dodd Photography

"Plenty" of "Heartstrings"

Tattered and torn, worn out, hung out, and strung out..music will do that to your heartstrings, Plenty!  By the bucketfuls.  Would we have it any other way?  Nope.  It's the essence of music and song.  It's why more than anything else in the Universe, people need it and crave it and love it and stake a claim in it.  There is a song for everything; if you need a friend, someone or something to sympathize with you at any given time, you can find a song.

August 25th, 2012, we are especially privileged.  Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit along with Walt Wilkins and his Mighty Mystiqueros will grace our outdoor stage with some of the best lyrics and music you have ever known.  Both of these gentleman are road worn and time tested.  And they still live and breathe their craft.

Jason Isbell is notably one of the founding elements of the Drive By Truckers.  He struck out on his own a few years ago. 2 albums later, he is blazing a trail.  His band, 400 Unit, is by far one of the tightest machines in the business.  We had the good fortune of having Jason and the 400 unit in Luckenbach last May, on a routed run, just by the hair on our chins, we coaxed them to our town.  I don't know that I have ever been so  awe struck before, ever, by a band. The show is perfect. The arrangement, the visual aspect, the sound of Jason's voice, the level at which they play.  It is just Perfect!  Probably the one thing that makes them stand out is the "vibe" that they exude collectively.  "We are here to perform for you" just flies off the stage.  No sense of ego, no sense of entitlement. This band is working hard for themselves and for the audience.  If you watch a lot of live music, you know immediately when you experience this type of performance. It's rare.

Walt Wilkins is in a class all by himself.  He has written for and with everyone.  He has deep passion and a penetrating soul about him.  He writes songs that everyone of  us can relate to.  It is a constant spiritual quest, in layman's terms.  Walt surrounds himself with musicians he loves and is able to breathe with.  They are as passionate and soulful as he is.  It is a stirring love fest, always, without fail.  Rock n Roll??  Walt and his band of Mystiqueros can knock your socks off with groove and infectious toe tapping rythym.  They will command your attention and leave you feeling as if you have just been washed with sunlight and soft pure rain. This band is, just like Jason and his 400 Unit, capable of reaching deep inside and touching that inner most "Heart String' and pulling on it..."Plenty".

Come join us this Saturday night in Luckenbach, Aug 25th at 9pm. Tickets are $20pp and available online at Luckenbach Texas

It's Only Rock n Roll, kids :)

Abbey Road

8/20/12

Most Important things in Luckenbach..

Not exactly sure where the term BLOG came from but it sounds like something we would have in Luckenbach.  Probably find it in some nook or cranny in the floor, the wall or even the ceiling.  Whatever it is, Luckenbach is a good source for a BLOG.

The picture on the header of the Luckenbach Texas Official Blog speaks volumes; whether you have been here or not.  The photo says slow down, sit a spell, look around, just be.  That is Luckenbach.  That is what we do here.  That is all we are.  A place to come hang out awhile, sit and be still, meet some new people, catch up with some old people or some young people, buy a t-shirt and drink a COLD beer.  This photo (Robbyn Dodd) looks across the front porch of the General Store/Post Office onto the statue or "bust" of Hondo, Our Father. The 2 most important things in Luckenbach and the first things you see when you visit.

The General Store/Post Office was built in 1849.  Hondo bought it in 1971.  A lot has happened in this town before and after Hondo.  One thing about Luckenbach...spirits lurk.  Happy spirits.  It's the magic of this town.  Hondo swears it is our Full Moons. No matter who happens to be runnin' things at the time, Luckenbach will always do what Luckenbach does.  Luckenbach attracts people, holds them and wraps it's arms around them in various ways.  You will have to come visit in person to really get it.... if you ain't ScaReD  to be "Somebody".  You see,  Everybody's Somebody in this town.