Robert Randolph and the Family Band

Robert Randolph and the Family Band is an American funk and soul band led by pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph (Robert Jermaine Randolph, born August 8, 1977, Irvington, New Jersey).[1] NPR has described the band as one with an "irresistible rock 'n' roll swagger". Rolling Stone included Randolph upon their list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. The band has released six studio albums and has been Grammy nominated four times.[2][3][4] [5]

Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Randolph in 2016
Background information
OriginOrange, New Jersey, United States
GenresFunk, soul, jam, gospel
Years active2001–present
LabelsWarner Records, Blue Note Records, Sony Music, Provogue Records
Associated actsThe Revivalists, The Word
Websitewww.robertrandolph.net
MembersRobert Randolph
Marcus Randolph
Lenesha Randolph
Brett Haas
Past membersJohn Ginty
Jason Crosby
Danyel Morgan

Band history

Frontman Robert Randolph was trained as a pedal steel guitarist in the House of God Church and makes prominent use of the instrument in the band's music. The instrument is referred to in many African-American Pentecostal churches as "sacred steel". Randolph was discovered while playing at a sacred steel convention in Florida.[6]

The group's sound is inspired by legendary funk bands such as Earth, Wind & Fire and Sly & the Family Stone. Randolph himself has explained that in his adolescent years before being discovered by the secular community, he was almost completely unaware of non-religious music. He went on exclaim in an interview that “I grew up and saw a lot of older guys playing lap steels and pedal-steel guitars in my church. I had never heard of the Allman Brothers, or even Buddy Guy or Muddy Waters.”[7]

Before releasing albums with The Family Band, Randolph was selected by avant-garde jazz organist John Medeski to join him and the North Mississippi Allstars on their 2001 jam project, The Word. Just prior to the release of The Word's debut album, Randolph was brought to the attention of music fans through a review[8] by Neil Strauss in the New York Times in April 2001. On their first non-church tour of the East Coast, Randolph's new Family Band opened for the North Mississippi Allstars and then rejoined the musicians after their set, with Medeski, as The Word.

The first Robert Randolph and the Family Band album, Live at the Wetlands, was released in 2002 on Family Band Records, recorded live on August 23, 2001, just prior to the club's closing. The band released their studio debut, Unclassified on August 5, 2003. They attracted the attention of Eric Clapton, and have subsequently toured as a supporting act with the English blues guitarist. Clapton later guested on their 2006 album Colorblind, playing on a cover of "Jesus Is Just Alright".

In 2002, they were hired by ABC to make the network's new NBA theme song. The song, "We Got Hoops", only appeared in three telecasts, though it was used throughout both the NBA and WNBA seasons during promotions for both leagues. In September 2003 Randolph was listed as No. 97 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list. Robert entered the list following Leigh Stephens and directly preceding Angus Young.[3] In February 2004 Robert Randolph and the Family Band along with the band O.A.R. released a cover version of Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain", which was made available for online purchase through iTunes. This version was played live with O.A.R. at their June 18, 2009 show at Charter One Pavilion in Chicago.

Their third album, Colorblind, was released October 10, 2006. The song "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That" was used in several commercials for NBC, and used in Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas' jive on Dancing with the Stars.[9] In June 2008 the Discovery Channel used this same song in a popular promo entitled "It's All Good" for their summer lineup. The song "Thrill of It" was used throughout the 2007 college football season by ABC during their College Primetime games.[10]

They worked with producer T-Bone Burnett on their fourth studio album We Walk This Road, released in 2010. They released the supposed first single from that album entitled "Get There" but this song did not appear on the album. The first official single from the album is "If I Had My Way."

Their 2019 recording, Brighter Days, was chosen as a 'Favorite Blues Album' by AllMusic.[11]

Live appearances
Robert Randolph in Toronto

Randolph's concerts are known for their lively stage performances, with Randolph content to let the rest of the band play on while he dances. Dance is an integral part of the concerts. During "Shake Your Hips", women are encouraged to dance onstage. For the song "The March", Randolph leaves his instrument to instruct the crowd on how to properly perform the intricate dance move.

Other noteworthy concert regulars involve the entire band trading instruments allowing each member to show off their musical proficiency. When he becomes completely enthralled by his music, Randolph will kick the chair away from his pedal steel guitar and dance while he plays. A microphone is occasionally passed around the front row of the audience, so they can sing during the song "I Need More Love". Audience members are also called up on stage to sing ("Purple Haze") or be a guest guitarist for one song.

The band made its first television appearance on Late Show with David Letterman on August 5, 2003, performing "I Need More Love".

In 2004 Robert Randolph and the Family Band was the opening act on the Eric Clapton tour. They are featured prominently in the Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival DVD (2004). The band also appears on Bonnaroo Music Festival DVDs. The length of the concerts can vary greatly depending on what songs are played (the band does not use a set list) and how long jams last. Concerts go over the allotted time if the band and the audience are having fun. Most concerts don't have an intermission; instead, band members will exit the stage leaving one or two members a chance to shine with solos. The one time the band does stop is so the band can relax, get hydrated, and plan the encore. On October 9, 2004 Robert Randolph and the Family Band appeared on the PBS television show Austin City Limits.[12]

Robert Randolph and Eric Clapton performing "Got My Mojo Working" at Cuyahoga Falls, May 31, 2008

On January 24, 2007, they played in Dallas at Victory Plaza outside of the American Airlines Center as part of the 2007 NHL All Star game festivities. The band also played before the start of the 2007 NHL All-Star Game. The Family Band has opened for Dave Matthews Band for some shows on their 2002–09 tours.[13] In 2005 Robert Randolph appeared on the Dave Matthews Band release Weekend on the Rocks. Robert Randolph has performed as a guest during the Dave Matthews Band set on songs such as "All Along the Watchtower", "Louisiana Bayou", "Stand Up", "Smooth Rider", "You Might Die Trying", and "Two Step", among others.

In 2007, Robert Randolph and the Family Band played at the inaugural South Padre International Music Festival. In 2008, they opened for Eric Clapton and were also one of four featured artists on the Music Builds Tour. Robert Randolph and the Family Band played in Oxford, Mississippi on April 25, 2009 as part of the 14th annual Double Decker Arts Festival. In 2009 Randolph also sat in on two live performances of Led Zeppelin's "Fool In The Rain" with the band O.A.R.

Also, on June 22, 2014, Robert Randolph and the Family Band played at the TD Toronto Jazz Fest, welcoming a new "cousin" Andrew Prince to the stage for two songs.[12][14]

Robert Randolph and the Family Band played the 10th annual Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival in May 2018.[15]

Accolades

Grammy Awards

[4]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2003 Squeeze Best Rock Instrumental Performance Nominated
2003 Unclassified Best Rock Gospel Album Nominated
2017 Got Soul Best Contemporary Blues Album Nominated
2020 Brighter Days Best Contemporary Blues Album Nominated

Discography

Studio albums
Year Title Peak chart positions Label
US 200[16] US Rock[17] US Christian[18] US Blues[19]
2003 Unclassified 145 6 Warner Records[20]
2006 Colorblind 75 Warner Records[20]
2010 We Walk This Road 74 21 4 Warner Records[20]
2013 Lickety Split 135 37 Blue Note Records[20]
2017 Got Soul 2 Sony Music[20]
2019 Brighter Days Mascot Label Group / Provogue

Live albums

Guest appearances on albums

Guest singles
Year Single Artist Country Chart Album
2004 "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" Sawyer Brown 55 Mission Temple Fireworks Stand

Guest appearances on soundtracks

Other appearances

In 1999, Arhoolie Records released Sacred Steel Live! including performances recorded live in two House of God Churches in 1998 and 1999 one of which was Robert Randolph performing "Without God". In 2001, they released Train Don't Leave Me: The First Annual Sacred Steel Convention including performances recorded live March 31 – April 1, 2000, one of which was Robert Randolph performing "I Feel Like Pressing My Way". In 2004, Robert Randolph and the Family Band covered "Purple Haze" for the album Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix. In 2009, Robert Randolph, along with The Clark Sisters, released a version of the song "Higher Ground" on the compilation album Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration.[21][22]

Music videos
Year Video Director
2005 "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" (w/ Sawyer Brown) Shaun Silva
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gollark: I do wonder why you would want to put function pointers as keys in a BTreeMap, but whatever.
gollark: HashMaps require Hash.
gollark: Although it would be a BTreeMap.

References
  1. Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues - A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara: Praeger Publishers. p. 265. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  2. "Robert Randolph And The Family Band In Concert". NPR.org.
  3. "Robert Randolph | Rolling Stone Music | Lists". Rollingstone.com. 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  4. "Robert Randolph & the Family Band". Grammy.com. 2019-06-04.
  5. "Robert Randolph Opens Up About Church, Grammy Nominations, the Sacred Steel". AmericanSongwriter.com. 2020-01-22. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
  6. "Robert Randolph, Man of Sacred Steel". Washington Post.com.
  7. "Steel guitar guru". Telluride News.com.
  8. Strauss, Neil (2001-04-30). "Making Spirits Rock From Church to Clubland - A Gospel Pedal Steel Guitarist Dives Into Pop - NYTimes.com". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-09.
  9. "Katherine Jenkins & Mark Ballas - Jive - Week 2". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  10. Sun, Lowell (9 September 2010). "Robert Randolph and The Family Band at a Glance". Lowell Sun. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  11. "Favorite Blues Albums | AllMusic 2019 in Review". AllMusic. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  12. Jones, Dustin. "Austin City Limits Episode Guide 2004 Season 30". TV Guide. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  13. "Artist Profile: Robert Randolph & The Family Band". eventseeker.com. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  14. Crawford, Trish (23 June 2014). "Milton teen joins Robert Randolph and the Family Band". thestar.com. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  15. Deflin, Kendall (15 May 2018). "Rooster Walk Announces Late-Night Schedule With Marcus King & Billy Strings' New Project, TAUK, More". LiveForLiveMusic. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  16. "Robert Randolph & The Family Band: Billboard 200". Billboard.com.
  17. "Robert Randolph & The Family Band: Top Rock Albums". Billboard.com.
  18. "Robert Randolph & The Family Band: Top Christian Albums". Billboard.com.
  19. "Robert Randolph & The Family Band: Top Blues Albums". Billboard.com.
  20. "Robert Randolph". Allmusic.com.
  21. "Jon Bon Jovi, Queen Latifah go gospel for "Day"". Reuters. March 27, 2009.
  22. "Robert Randolph Biography". AOL Music. Archived from the original on 2007-01-28. Retrieved 2010-08-09.
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