Band is an opening act to remember
Sure, it's a challenge opening for Eric Clapton.
You get 45 minutes to seize the attention of a crowd that paid to see a man who was declared a deity on buildings in London during the 1960s.
The opening act is often nothing more than background music for people searching for their seat or polishing off a beverage.
But Robert Randolph & the Family Band has been up to the task, using a high-energy style heavy on jams that draws heavily from gospel, rock and blues.
The band has opened for heavyweights like Lenny Kravitz, the Dave Matthews Band and Clapton, and will use its night off from Clapton's tour to headline its own show tonight at the Rococo Theatre, 140 N. 13th St.
RRFB's sound is unique, thanks to Randolph's 13-string pedal steel guitar, an instrument rarely seen outside honky-tonks and country bands.
"Our music crosses over to different age groups and races," Randolph said by phone from Buffalo, N.Y. "It's true music all over again."
It's only been four years since Randolph and his band started recording demos, but the energetic sound and quick success landed him on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
The same instrument that has given Randolph a name also saved his life.
He grew up in a tough, low-income neighborhood near Newark, N.J., and found himself struggling to avoid the trouble that often came knocking at his door.
His parents divorced around the time he started high school, and things didn't improve quickly.
He came from a musical family, and played drums in the band at the House of God Church where his mother was a minister and his father a deacon before they divorced.
When he turned 16, a family friend bought him a six-string lap steel. The process of mastering the instrument kept Randolph holed up in his house for hours and days at a time. He eventually caught on and now uses the even more advanced 13-string pedal steel model.
"At the time, I was out doing some things, but Istarted playing music and getting into it," Randolph said. "It kept me focused. I'd been given a gift of playing music. Iaccepted that and went with it."
The lap steel was frequently used in House of God churches as a cheap replacement for the more expensive pipe organ. Randolph began playing in services when he was 17.
Then a Stevie Ray Vaughan tape changed the way he looked at music. The energy he heard from Vaughan's sound altered his view of the steel pedal and shifted the direction of his music career. He began listening to Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman and saw the potential to take the instrument beyond the walls of the church.
RRFB showed up on "The Word," a joint instrumental project between the North Mississippi All-Stars and organist John Medeski.
Randolph later finalized his band's lineup, adding cousins Danyel Morgan on bass and Marcus Randolph on drums in addition to John Ginty on keyboard and organ.
The band released its studio-debut, "Unclassified," in August 2003, and has made a name for itself with an energetic live show and unique sound.
The church's influence can be heard on songs such as "Ted's Jam" and "Run For Your Life."
"A lot of the songs and elements are taken from the gospel side of things," Robert Randolph said.
Though he quickly mastered the pedal steel, vocals was a different story. He didn't start singing until the band formed.
"It's a big adjustment," he said. "To some people it comes naturally, sometimes you have to practice at it. Years ago, Icouldn't sing a note."
Touring with Clapton has been something of a rock finishing school for Randolph and his band. He talks music with Clapton on the road and plays the pedal steel with him during encores on staples like "Sunshine of Your Love."
Even touring with a rock legend hasn't kept people from buzzing about the 45 minutes of music they hear before Clapton takes the stage.
"We try to give them something they usually don't see coming from a lot of other shows," he said.
Reach Michael Bruntz at 473-7254 or mbruntz@;journalstar.com.
If you go
What: Robert Randolph & the Family Band
Where: Rococo Theatre, 140 N. 13th St.
When: 8:30 tonight
Admission: $20, 18 and over
You get 45 minutes to seize the attention of a crowd that paid to see a man who was declared a deity on buildings in London during the 1960s.
The opening act is often nothing more than background music for people searching for their seat or polishing off a beverage.
But Robert Randolph & the Family Band has been up to the task, using a high-energy style heavy on jams that draws heavily from gospel, rock and blues.
The band has opened for heavyweights like Lenny Kravitz, the Dave Matthews Band and Clapton, and will use its night off from Clapton's tour to headline its own show tonight at the Rococo Theatre, 140 N. 13th St.
RRFB's sound is unique, thanks to Randolph's 13-string pedal steel guitar, an instrument rarely seen outside honky-tonks and country bands.
"Our music crosses over to different age groups and races," Randolph said by phone from Buffalo, N.Y. "It's true music all over again."
It's only been four years since Randolph and his band started recording demos, but the energetic sound and quick success landed him on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
The same instrument that has given Randolph a name also saved his life.
He grew up in a tough, low-income neighborhood near Newark, N.J., and found himself struggling to avoid the trouble that often came knocking at his door.
His parents divorced around the time he started high school, and things didn't improve quickly.
He came from a musical family, and played drums in the band at the House of God Church where his mother was a minister and his father a deacon before they divorced.
When he turned 16, a family friend bought him a six-string lap steel. The process of mastering the instrument kept Randolph holed up in his house for hours and days at a time. He eventually caught on and now uses the even more advanced 13-string pedal steel model.
"At the time, I was out doing some things, but Istarted playing music and getting into it," Randolph said. "It kept me focused. I'd been given a gift of playing music. Iaccepted that and went with it."
The lap steel was frequently used in House of God churches as a cheap replacement for the more expensive pipe organ. Randolph began playing in services when he was 17.
Then a Stevie Ray Vaughan tape changed the way he looked at music. The energy he heard from Vaughan's sound altered his view of the steel pedal and shifted the direction of his music career. He began listening to Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman and saw the potential to take the instrument beyond the walls of the church.
RRFB showed up on "The Word," a joint instrumental project between the North Mississippi All-Stars and organist John Medeski.
Randolph later finalized his band's lineup, adding cousins Danyel Morgan on bass and Marcus Randolph on drums in addition to John Ginty on keyboard and organ.
The band released its studio-debut, "Unclassified," in August 2003, and has made a name for itself with an energetic live show and unique sound.
The church's influence can be heard on songs such as "Ted's Jam" and "Run For Your Life."
"A lot of the songs and elements are taken from the gospel side of things," Robert Randolph said.
Though he quickly mastered the pedal steel, vocals was a different story. He didn't start singing until the band formed.
"It's a big adjustment," he said. "To some people it comes naturally, sometimes you have to practice at it. Years ago, Icouldn't sing a note."
Touring with Clapton has been something of a rock finishing school for Randolph and his band. He talks music with Clapton on the road and plays the pedal steel with him during encores on staples like "Sunshine of Your Love."
Even touring with a rock legend hasn't kept people from buzzing about the 45 minutes of music they hear before Clapton takes the stage.
"We try to give them something they usually don't see coming from a lot of other shows," he said.
Reach Michael Bruntz at 473-7254 or mbruntz@;journalstar.com.
If you go
What: Robert Randolph & the Family Band
Where: Rococo Theatre, 140 N. 13th St.
When: 8:30 tonight
Admission: $20, 18 and over
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