Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Robb.
Hi Brad, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I met who became my life-long best friend, Robert Dickerson, in the 10th grade at Wooddale High School. He was learning to play guitar and pedal steel guitar. We bonded quickly and by that next summer we were hired to perform at Libertyland Theme Park. Two years later we were asked to take our country and bluegrass show on the road across Europe on a USO Tour. When we returned, we kept playing music and eventually formed Grassfire Bluegrass Band. We have been gigging around the tri-states since then. We have opened for bluegrass icon Tony Rice and others. We’ve done shows from Baton Rouge to Beale Street and currently hold fort at Loflin Yard two Sundays each month from noon-3 p.m. That’s the best place to catch us these days.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My best friend did some professional fishing for a while and I earned two BA from Memphis State. That sidelined most of our shows but after I graduated and we both got married, we began performing again.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a professional agricultural journalist and photographer. I still work full-time and perform shows on weekends or early weeknights. We are known for our high-octane, driving bluegrass. We entertain the crowds that come see us. We exude high energy and keep our show moving at a brisk pace – no downtime between songs. When we were hired at Libertyland, the Entertainment Director told us, “OK, I can tell you’re good musicians, but I’m going to make you entertainers. There’s a big difference. I’m most proud of our ability to draw in people who don’t necessarily like bluegrass or classic country. I don’t know how many times, I’ve heard: “I don’t like bluegrass, but I love ya’ll.” That speaks volume in my book and that’s what sets us apart. I’m the band’s emcee and lead singer and I hate downtime. I’m good at speaking to the crowd during the show and drawing their interest in to our music.
What makes you happy?
Being on stage and performing. It’s infectious. I have over 1,500 skydives and I equate that feeling I get in freefall to the feeling I get when Steve Clark, Mike McKnight, Robert Dickerson and I are performing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Grassfirebluegrassband.com
- Facebook: Grassfire Bluegrass Band
