Published: October 28, 2009 9:47 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight November 2009 Edition
Adam Grant & Robert E.
Robert E.
Adam Grant & Robert E. are the perfect musical duo who is bringing a solid Country/Southern Rock sound to the music industry. Adam and Robert are both outstanding songwriters who create amazing songs that music fans can easily relate to; especially when the two men are singing harmoniously in perfect synch. In this recent spotlight with our Webzine, we get the pleasure to speak to the two talented Singers/Songwriters in this super cool spotlight. Enjoy!
Isaac: What's the name of your band? What's the origin of that name? Have you changed the band's name before?
Robert: The name of our band is Adam Grant & Robert E. derived from our names, Adam Grant and Robert E. Walden. It is the only name under which we have performed.
Adam: A change in name will however be considered if we secure a record deal.
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
Robert: We are a Country & Southern Rock band. Our major influences are The Eagles, Garth Brooks, Little River Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Pink Floyd.
Isaac: How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
Robert: Adam and I met 4 years ago at a gig where Adam was playing with another performer who failed to show up for the performance. I consequently joined in that night (I never leave home without my guitar)! We got together the following week and began our careers as songwriters. As our songwriting abilities improved, we decided to form a band and the rest is history. I have to add that Adam is like a brother to me!!
Adam: I've known Robert for about 6 years and our lead guitarist, Charlie Gilbert, for a little over 3 years. We have a new drummer, Chris Mathis, whom I've actually known for about 6 years as well.
Isaac: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
Adam: Our band has been together for about 3 years. It all started and originated from Robert and I songwriting together. After recording for the first time in Nashville in early 2007, we decided to form a band since the music/recording turned out so good. There was a demand for us to perform once the songs reached radio.
Robert: Our chemistry was obvious from the first night we wrote together!
Isaac: Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?
Robert/Adam: We are currently unsigned however recently returned from Nashville after meeting with several influential music industry executives. I can only say at this time that it was a productive trip. We are members of BMI/Nashville.
Adam Grant
Isaac: What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?
Robert: I play a CA Acoustic guitar which is constructed of a carbon deposit shell. It is a road worthy acoustic with a Fishman Tuner and pickup. I also use a Rocktron Voice Box. To my knowledge, I am the only artist who performs with an acoustic guitar along with a voice box. The guitar is made in Louisiana and purchased from Gruhn's in Nashville. In my opinion, it smokes the competition.
Adam: I've personally always been a fan of Takamine acoustic guitars and Fender Telecaster electric guitars. For me, it's all about the sound and feel of the instrument. I also use Elixir medium polyweb strings for my acoustic and Elixir #9's for my electric. My personal Telecaster Highway 1 has been signed Zac Brown and Neal McCoy.
Isaac: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Robert: We are fortunate to have opened and performed with several headlining artists.
We performed at the Sticks Country Festival in Auburn, AL this past year with Trace Adkins, Sara Evans, Craig Morgan, Diamond Rio, Gretchen Wilson, Jason Michael Carroll, Rodney Atkins. We also performed at the Fayetteville Amphitheatre in Fayetteville, GA opening for Randy Travis. We additionally opened for Zac Brown Band at the Heritage in McDonough, GA and T. Graham Brown at Powers Crossroad in Franklin, GA. BikeFest 2009 in Bainbridge GA was our last big performance where we opened for Randy Houser. I don't think there is any place I disliked as long as we have an opportunity to play for our fans. It is a privilage and honor to entertain our fans whether it is before an audience of 40,000 (as at Sticks Country Festival) or 300 at a local bar!
Adam: WOW, good question. We have performed many shows in the past 3 years but my favorite shows are when we open for big names and legends such as Randy Travis, Shenandoah and Zac Brown. There are too many to list (LOL). I'm not real big on small bars anymore due to the limited space and sound issues but we still play them from time to time.
Isaac: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?
Robert: Our gigs are comprised of mostly our own music. We have a library of songs large enough to keep the audience rocking for 3 hours. We only occasionally cover the artists who have influenced our brand of Country/Southern Rock. When you have the audience singing along with you and it's your own music, as an artist, you feel like you have arrived!
Adam: We mostly perform our own songs; we are about 80% original and 20% covers in our set list. I personally enjoy the 2 hour to 1 hour shows rather than the 4 set/4 hour nights although it would take 4 hours to play our entire list or original material.
Isaac: Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
Robert: Adam and I write all of our music with few exceptions. Lead guitarist, Charlie Gilbert, contributed to several of our songs namely "She Makes Cajun Look Cool", "That's Just How I Roll", and "It's All Good". The topics/themes for our songs come from experiences which profoundly influenced lives in the past as well as pure imagination. Topics will no doubt change but remain related simply due to the natural cycle of occurrences and the endless realm of our imaginations.
The Band
Adam: Robert and I are the main writers but have co-written several with our lead guitarist, Charlie Gilbert. He is amazing when it comes to bringing us new music for our lyrics.
Isaac: Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
Adam: For me, it usually goes one or two ways. I will either start with a cool tune and write lyrics over it OR I start with a great idea/lyrics and create some music for it. Once the song is tight, a rough draft recording of the song will be made prior to a professional recording which is done in Nashville. We use session musicians but overdub with our own musicians from the band. This process enables us to recreate our live TRUE sound.
Isaac: What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
Robert: We generally go through the actual proposed set list for the next gig. As writers, we depend on our band to do their homework on the existing music because we are always throwing new music at them to learn. Adam and I, as well as our band members, still work full time jobs and if anyone knows how hard it is to keep a band together it is another business all together within itself. As a result, we literally have two full time jobs.
Adam: Just like any other band, we probably don't get enough practice as we'd like but we're usually tight whenever we do. Sometimes, a practice ends up being a songwriting session (LOL).
Isaac: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
Robert: At first, our music was more along the lines of being classic/traditional country. Our current Country/Southern Rock style seems to have wide ranging appeal and that's great.
Adam: The music seems to bet better each day. Every song we write somehow ends up being better than the last, which we thought we couldn't top.
Isaac: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Adam/Robert: I guess the biggest challenge would be overcoming the underestimation of larger venues. We are always having to prove ourselves and our music (which is usually accomplished). With us being and 80% original band, it makes it harder to play certain shows but we always have been able to pull it off, and the crowd loves it!
Isaac: What's your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
Robert: We are fortunate to have developed some solid relationships with key figures in Nashville. Our immediate goal is to secure a record deal with a major tour to follow. We would love nothing more than to be successful full time musicians as music is our passion.
Adam: Sometimes it feels as though we are peeked out without the assistance of a record label but each day continues to get better and better. Radio has been a huge support for us and our music.
Isaac: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
Robert: Most bands and musicians unfortunately never realize their true dreams. I would advise those who want to form their own band to do it only if they truly love music and can balance their personal lives with that demanded by their compassion for music.
Adam: If it is truly your hearts desire, stick with it and make it work because it will with determination.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Robert/Adam: Our CD's "Country To The Bone" and "Adam Grant Robert E." are available of itunes, cdbaby, amazon.com and maestro.fm. You can also sample our music on myspace.com/randaproductions, Facebook and sonicbids.com/AdamGrantRobertE. We have also recently recorded an untitled demo CD which is not ready for release at this time.
Isaac: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Robert: We have many to thank: Sara and Don Griffin, Jim Allen, Hunt Calhoun, George and Nancy Nutting, our families and friends and most of all God for giving us the will and talent to pursue our dreams!
Adam: WOW, too many to list but we have had help from really good friends that have stood by us through thick and thin, along with radio. I would like to give a special thanks ti BIGJIM Allen, Sarah and Amanda for toughing it out with us along the way. You guys are GREAT!
Isaac: Any last words?
Robert: Thanks for your interest in us and our music! We would like to thank people like you who give us the opportunity to share our music with others.
Adam: Not sure where this roller coaster may lead us in the end but it's been one hell of a ride to this point.
