“It’s the kind of real deal twang and dirt Americana record that we started the Americana radio format
for back in the mid 90’s.”– Brad Paul, Founding council member of the Americana Music Association
on When The Rooster Crows
The last half-decade of Robbie Walden‘s life has been a roller coaster of lows and highs; divorce and self-destruction made way for happiness, true love and inner peace. Now this Army Veteran, along with his five-piece band (most of which are also ex-military), has turned his personal journey into the phenomenal concept album When the Rooster Crows (released February 15).
We caught up with Robbie to talk about his military background, his musical influences, and the story behind this amazing album.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
RW: To keep it short and sweet, I am a 37 year old former Airborne Infantry and Operations Army Veteran. I’m a Christian, I love hunting, lifting weights, touring with my band, and being with my family. I am a former professional strength athlete, in power lifting, Strongman, as well as Olympic weight lifting, where I made some runs at the Olympics. I was also one of the top wrestlers in the country. This latest album When the Rooster Crows is our third album. My top 3 favorite foods are Sushi, Taco’s and Teriyaki Chicken.
CN: We also want to thank you for your military service. How has your time in our Armed Forces influenced you personally and as an artist, if at all?
RW: Honestly, I love writing about personal experiences, and as an adult, I wouldn’t be who I am without the Army and serving in war. It’s a part of me, so that reflection makes it into some of my writing. Other then that though, it’s just another chapter or book in my life. Everything is about moving forward.
CN: Texas Country artists Randy Rogers and Jason Boland are listed as some of your musical influences, and you have had the opportunity to tour with each. How have they inspired you in your musical career?
RW: I think you can hear their influence in my writing, particularly my earlier albums. Well, them as well as Jason Eady and Shooter Jennings. Pick any artist out there though, and a few songs they’ve been writing are going to have pieces of the artists they are currently listening too showing up in their writing or music. In some ways, I think I am more influenced by the examples they have all set as independent artists and how you can be successful without a label more than anything though.
CN: Your new album “When the Rooster Crows” was just released on February 15, and it’s said to be a reflection of your life over the past 5 years. Can you explain how the album is a bit of a journal, with each track representing a different chapter? What was behind the decision to make such a personal concept album?
RW: Yes, this is an extremely personal album. All my albums and writing are personal in a way, as I do like to write a little more in first person, but this record was different. I knew I wanted to do a concept album with this record, which is a diary of my life over a 3-4-year period. Which covers not only a little bit about me on a personal level, but it also covers my divorce, bitterness, self-destruction, forgiveness, my come to Jesus moment and finding peace with myself, as well as finding love again, and revealing more about the heart of my roots. I think a lot of people can relate to this album, being that it is such an honest and personal album. I wear my heart on my sleeves with this one, far more than I ever have, and hopefully the listeners out there can appreciate that.
CN: There is so much brilliance on this album – from the songwriting, to the harmonies, to the grit country style, a chicken’ pickin’ track, a touch of soul and the use of horns and more. How did all these different avenues come together?
RW: Well, our band has always been more of a jam band like back in the 60’s and 70’s with our influences ranging drastically. We have quite the eclectic taste in this group, with the foundation all centering on real music first and foremost, and our love for primarily country. For us country music must have a story, some chicken picken’ and harmonies, not necessarily all of those in one song to make it a country song, but it does have to have a story that says something. My overall influences are The Band, Jerry Reed, Merle Haggard, Charlie Rich, Don Williams, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. So not only do I love humorous or poetic writing, and harmonies, but I love soul music, so couple all that with some chicken picken’ and horns, and that to me sounds like an awesome album. I have always wanted to add horns on a more full-time level within the band. So, I was also writing in a manner conducive to what I had planned on this concept album, but with the idea we would be having horns. I was literally developing this album in my head from day one, like a mad scientist. I was writing for this entire concept. I knew I didn’t want a horn album so-to-speak, but I wanted horns. I also wanted to do it slightly different then it has been done before for a country artist. Take Merle Haggard or Hank Jr for instance, Merle was more Jazz influenced, while Hank was bringing some of the New Orleans Dixie Land stuff. I wanted our horn players to think like a country musician who was adding some soul. Almost Western at times.
CN: Speaking of songwriting, for example. “50 Years Too Late” is a very timely song given present-day society’s reliance on technology and even taking short cuts, but yet you make sure your family stays grounded in the core values of your grandfather (family, prayer, hard work). What inspired you to write such a genuine song?
RW: It mostly stems from the fact that like me, so many people these days feel like they were born a few generations to late. I feel like a lot of today’s society has completely attacked the basic family morals that encompass most of our upbringings. The world is moving way too fast, and everyone is buried so far into their phones, they couldn’t tell you what it really feels like to be outside and experience the world.
CN: Staying on the same road of past versus present, you recorded this album live in the studio, a nod to the old days before dubbing became the go-to process. Whose decision was it to record in this fashion?
RW: We have always done our records live. The only real difference this time was we recorded on tape/analog. Something I have always wanted to do.
CN: Is there one track on the album that sticks out to you the most?
RW: “Love You Anyway I Can.” It’s my favorite song. I wrote it for my wife Yvonne. She really is the reason I feel like an adult and complete. She has made me the best version of me, and I am forever grateful for her and all the love she shows me.
CN: Brad Paul, who is a founding council member of the American Music Association, praised your album and linked it back to the classic 90s country sound. What did receiving such a compliment from a founding member of the AMA mean to you?
RW: It was an honor to have that type of statement said about us and our music. Coming from him, it really makes us feel like the morals and compass we follow as musicians in this band are being seen and coming to fruition.
CN: Do you have a dream collaboration in mind?
RW: Jason Eady, Dave Cobb and Jason Isbell.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
RW: Tenacious. When I see something I want, I am stubborn. I make it happen. I see the vision through and it is hard to get me to steer differently.
CN: New year, New Album. What do you have coming up on the horizon for 2019?
RW: Hopefully making an even larger grass roots following, and bringing our style of music to new areas.
When The Rooster Crows is available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.
For more information on Robbie Walden, visit his website at www.robbiewaldenband.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.