ROBERT ROSS BAND
Gospel Gems – New Vinyl Record by Robert Ross
Gospel and the Blues have a lot in common. The blues and gospel both influenced the development of jazz and soul music. Gospel and blues often have also influenced each other. Cross pollination. Many of the most well known blues and soul singers came from a gospel background.
Robert has long been a fan of gospel music and has been performing gospel tunes in schools, churches, synagogues as well as occasionally in music venues and festivals for decades. The producers of this project, Rafael Alvarez and Larry Hambrecht suggested that Robert do a gospel record to show another side and the depth of Robert’s musicality. By the way, Rafael is an acclaimed screenwriter (The Wire), journalist (Baltimore Sun, Village Voice), short story writer, and budding film producer; while Larry is a lawyer, musician, author, and political activist.
Robert and Rafael chose traditional gospel songs for this project that are public domain. Robert aimed to give his own unique take on these classic songs some of which are very well known.
The official release of the record is now set for early September 2026 but downloads are available on Band Camp here: RobertRoss1.BandCamp.com
“ONE MAN ONE VOTE” Is Now On YouTube!!
ONE MAN ONE VOTE is a song I began writing soon after the 2000 presidential election. The song was released on Election Day in 2004 on Fountainbleu Records.
I rewrote the song over the years and finally added a bridge which really helps. Early in October of this year I recorded the revised song by singing and playing the guitar live at home. Then I put together some patriotic photos to create a slide show to go along with the music. Finally I uploaded this new video on YouTube hoping to encourage people to VOTE and VOTE WISELY.
The song is online here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT_kFi9hDAA Please check it out and leave a comment. And tell somebody about it.
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Village Voice Article About Robert Ross
Read this fantastic feature article about Robert Ross in the Village Voice written by Rafael Alvarez in the March 2022 print edition!! https://www.robertrossband.com/reviews
Hey rob,steve giuffrida here from SI…you used to landscape for me.im glad your doin good…watchin your calender,hope to see tou soon
I remember you. I know we had a falling out but I know not what. LOL
I am okay. Hope you are too.
Would love to play with you sometime, this is Champ – (Kevin Gruca)
That’d be cool. Yes!
I edited my original comment to you about SWFBS. SWFBS sent me a beautiful trophy, a beautiful T-Shirt, and a beautiful check for $750. I look forward to working with SWFBS again and again.
Robert the SWFBS would appreciate it if you retracted your negative response about us doing nothing. We believe through our organizing efforts, (producing the Regional IBC competition) at no cost to you for entering, our social posts (recognizing your own fundraisers) along with other gigs you submit, and the $750. in cash for your Memphis travel expenses, is a far cry from doing nothing. Your public retraction/ apology would be greatly appreciated.
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Comments from Robert Ross:
You are absolutely correct. I sincerely apologize, I should have removed that comment when I received the check, trophy, and t-shirt but I just haven’t gotten around to it.
I have edited my comment to Champ thusly, “My original comment about “SWFBS is doing nothing to help raise money for me or the winning band to go to Memphis” was long before SWFBS sent me a beautiful trophy, a beautiful T-Shirt, and a beautiful check for $750. I sincerely apologize to SWFBS and look forward to working with them again and again.” I thank SWFBS profusely for going above and beyond with both financial and promotional support. I also wrote to Mel when I received the check in the mail and said some nice things about SWFBS. And I will be happy to thank SWFBS at the IBC.
Hi Robert. James O’ Keefe on Long Island We miss you.
Do you have a current Cd you can submit to the blues music
Awards. If so contact the Blues Foundation in Memphis.
You only have to send them one.
Always good to hear from you.
I am competing in the IBC in May. Thanks for the tip
What’s the name of your act/band?
I usually play solo these days so it’s just Robert Ross. If I play as a duo, it depends on who I’m playing with but something like Joe Palooka and Robert Ross, or it might be Ross ‘n’ Rose if I play with Heidi “Ho” Rosenbaum.
Robert. Used to see you at the Rock and Roll Xafe in nyc in late 80’s. Glad to see you doing well
Those were good days and some fun gigs
Miss the old days when you used to play @ Broadway Charlie’s w. Bill Dicey !
Good times. And I played B’way Charley’s for a few more years with the Robert Riss Band. It was a cool vibe
Bway Charly’s was great. I pkayed there a lot many years ago. A lot of water under the bridge.
Hey Robert, HAPPY NEW YEAR !- It looks like I’ll be in Fla. From Feb.10th to the 21st, based in Ft. Lauderdale. I don’t have a phone # for ya -but sure hope we can get it together to play some music! It seems probable that I’ll get back there in early March & may become a human yo-yo for a while as I expand my connections to sell some art in sunny climes…I’m vaxed through the booster & feel great ! Peace bro- see ya soon I hope…PDG
Contact me when youn come down.
I will be gigging on Feb 10 in Stuart FL. i have a few gugs during your stay and you can sit in. Bring harps and maybe a mic if you can. A small amp would be amazing but bot expected.
Robert, visiting from Suffern, NY. You were scheduled to play The Dolphin Bar tonight, 2/4. Was looking so forward to it. Apparently that’s been changed ? Wtf ? Bummer. Still going there, but disappointed.
I’m so glad you came by because, as you know, I was there! Fun to meet you guys!
Sorry about that. Sometimes the artist, like myself, makes a scheduling mistake, and sometimes the agent or the club double books the room. One of those happened that time. I am still playing Dolphin and it’s a very cool place. It’s probably a good idea to call a club and make sure about the act playing there before coming over because there are occasional problems like this in bars/restaurants.