Robert Randolph's "Brighter Days" Garners Grammy Nomination

Old Lyme, CT – One of the most original and spiritually moving American roots music artists, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category for the recording entitled, “Brighter Days”. Randolph’s love affair with sacred steel music started at a young age. Around the age of fifteen Robert delved into the gospel lap steel guitar tradition of the Pentecostal Church. Leaders and legends in the sacred steel idiom such as Henry Nelson, Aubrey Ghent, Calvin Cook and the Campbell Brothers acted as mentors and exemplars to a young Robert Randolph. Randolph speaks of his predecessors in the sacred steel tradition with the same reverence that he does of B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Gregg Allman or Eric Clapton. The aforementioned artists have contributed to Robert’s maturation in the music business and he is clearly humbled by that fact. Full Interview with Robert Randolph

“Brighter Days”, a Provogue label release, is a return to more gospel-oriented material for The Family Band. The disc kicks off with “Baptise Me”, a tale of redemption that maintains a funky groove, a nasty lap steel solo and lyrics of hope. “Don’t Fight It” follows and Randolph is off to the races as he shreds his way through this catchy tune. Producer Dave Cobb brought his love of old school soul music and vintage gear to the studio. Randolph attests that Cobb challenged him to reach for new heights vocally especially on the Pop Staples cover “Simple Man”. Gifted instrumentalists occasionally obscure what could be vocal highlights on their recordings, but this is not the case on “Brighter Days”. It is evident that Randolph and Cobb produced a balanced recording that marries the sacred to the energetic jam band vibe that pervades many of The Family Band's recordings.

Most recently, I caught Robert Randolph live at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. Robert was a guest on the Allman Family Revival that featured the Allman Betts Band, Jimmy Vivino, Brandon "Taz" Niederauer, Ally Venable, Samanatha Fish, Todd Park Mohr, Jimmy Hall and Eric Krasno from Soulive. Randolph distinguished himself as a stalwart on the bill . Allman Family Revival Finale, Midnight Rider Robert Randolph has been a regular fixture on Eric Clapton’s Crossroads festivals as well as the annual Experience Hendrix tours. We discussed his time on stage with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Gregg Allman and tours with The Allman Brothers Band. “Brighter Days” is nothing short of a serious contender to garner the Best Contemporary Blues Grammy later this month.

Mr. Carty produced and hosted blues, jazz and American roots radio shows in Boston and Pittsburgh. He booked legendary acts such as Jay Geils, Big Jack Johnson, Alvin "Youngblood" Hart, Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin to name a few. As a concert producer he has worked with members of the Allman Brothers, Guns and Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bad Company, Chuck Berry, Alice Cooper, Kiss and many others. Jim was proudly tapped as the host of the Centennial Celebration of the Blues at Tanglewood. He spent several years as an Old Lyme resident in his youth and he has recently returned home to the Connecticut Shoreline. Contact at: jcbc93@gmail.com