Robert J. - Bio

Robert J. Conaway grew up literally "riding the rails," following the career of his father, an executive with the Canadian National Railroad. He didn't live in all the cities but experienced life in a few.....like Duluth, Minneapolis, Seattle, Chicago, Buffalo, Vancouver, Toronto, and Detroit. During college, he worked as a "gandy dancer" on the railroad while finishing up his education at night school, and on the weekends he played in bands. When Robert graduated, he quit his railroad job, jumped in the "band van" and migrated to Colorado with a band called Happy Trails, living the spirit of a wanderer. Like the mighty Mississippi River, Robert J.'s music flows from the many different genres that pepper the river's banks. From the spiritual origins of blues music, to its successor rock and roll, Robert J.'s music encompasses elements of blues, rock, R&B/soul, and heartfelt, floor-stomping country. Such a mix of genres gives his music its own unique flavor and has allowed him to share the stage with artists of all genres. Since those early days, Robert J. has played thousands of shows with countless bands. He has written hundreds of songs. He's lived at least several lives, and throughout it all, Robert J. has always tried to make sense of life through song. His lyrics are direct, edgy reenactments of life itself, mirroring the will of a survivor. 2007 was a milestone year for Robert J. He recorded two new CDs, "A Beautiful Blur" and "The Revenge of the Rowdy Prairie Dogs," while continuing to develop acts for indie label PopBomb Records. He also played shows, solo, with label-mate Lucas Cates and with his roots rocking Americana band, The Moon Gypsies. In his spare time Robert J. placed some songs in a movie, wrote some more songs, helped to raise his young family, and.....had a heart attack while raking leaves in his backyard! When Robert J. heard the ER doctor say the six words that threatened to shake his foundation: "You are having a heart attack," all he could think about was his wife, his kids and the songs that he hadn't finished writing, displaying the soul of a songwriter. Since that November day in 2007, Robert J. has gone through cardiac rehab, lost 24 pounds, written over 20 newly inspired songs, formed his new band, "The Rowdy Prairie Dogs," and has a new found respect for such basic principles as faith, commitment, family, health, humility, fear, hope, and compassion. Through that life-altering event, Robert J.'s transformation has begun. In 2008 we are witness to a life transformation of a musician's heart and soul, a rededication of an already dedicated man. The soul of a songwriter, the heart of a musician, the spirit of a wanderer, the will of a survivor--all embodied in one man. Robert J's music tells the story, the story of triumph over adversity and the will of the human spirit. That spirit shines through his music and leaves a legacy of the man, the spirit, the wanderer, and the survivor.

Influences

Mostly, I've been influenced by the musicians I have played with over the years. After that, pretty much the basics...Elvis, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan The Beatles, CSN&Y,Little Feat, Springsteen and most everything in between and beyond.

Bios

"Anxious road songs, weary heart songs, monochrome self-portraits of mavericks trapped in a continuum of mental turmoil and unease." - Tom Laskin, The Isthmus, Madison, WI Mar. 2002 Biography #1.Robert J. has had a guitar in his hand since the age of 2. His early attempts at trying to be the next BIG "Singing Cowboy" sensation were layed to rest when his parents wouldn't buy him a horse. Instead, he entered kindergarten and pursued an education. His love for music, especially rock and roll continued to grow and grow. He saw the Beatles at Comisky Park in 1965. He saw the Grateful Dead open for Jefferson Airplane in 1967 (or was it '68). After graduating from college, he jumped in the band van and migrated from Detroit to the mountains of Colorado. The band's name was "Happy Trails"! Basically, Robert has been jumping in the band van and following the "Happy Trail" ever since. BIOGRAPHY #2. Robert J. has lived all over North America; from Northern Minnesota to Vancouver, Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Seattle, L.A., and Colorado. He has called Madison, Wisconsin his home for the last 24 years. Robert has put out 4 recordings since 1986 and an anthology disc called "Rewind" was released on PopBomb Records in late 2004. Robert has received many songwriting awards and in 1999 won 1st place honors in the Billboard Songwriting Contest for his R&B song "A Million Miles Away". In 2003, Robert was given the Male Vocalist of the year award from the Wisconsin Area Music Industry(WAMI's) Robert has played shows with many acts including Ray Charles, The Beach Boys, Taj Mahal, The Subdudes, Buckwheat Zydeco, Delbert McClinton, Ellis Paul and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS

1999 - 1st place in the Billboard songwriting contest in the Blues/R&B category for his song, "A Million Miles Away". 2003, Won a WAMI(Wisconsin Area Music Award) for Male Vocalist of the Year. 2004, Starts PopBomb Records with investors. 2005 - Produces Lucas Cates debut CD, "Contradictory" for PopBomb Record released in 2006. 2005 - Wins 1st and 2nd place in the Berghoff and Blues Song Contest with his songs "Will It Always Be This Way" and "A Million Miles Away". 2005 - Signs 4 song publihsing deal with L.A. based "Transition Music". Spring, 2007 - Lucac Cates CD, CONTRADICTORY, produced by Robert wins 3 awards at the MAMAs including BEST POP RECORD and BEST POP SONG. August, 2007 - Robert sang 2 songs for the indy film, "Madison" to be hitting the festival circuit in 2008. Also "Rewind" from the new "Blur" CD is placed in the film. September 2007 - Wins Broadjam/Berghoff & Blues World Wide Talent Search. May 2008 - Robert J./ The Rowdy Prairie Dogs win 6 MAMAs at this years music awards show! See news for more info.

Discography

Robert J. solo artist and Moon Gypsies releases. Boys Town - 1986 I'm Yours(single) - 1986 It's You(single) - 1987 Hey Amanda(single) - 1989 Dixie Highway - 1992 No Brakes, No Choice, No Exit - 1994 We Knew Love(single) - 1996 Family Tree - 1998 "The Moon Gypsies" (1999), "Slip" (2002) - The Moon Gypsies "I Ride A Hog" (2003) - The Moon Gypsies Rewind (Anthology) - 2004 A Beautiful Blur - 2007/2008 The Revenge of the Rowdy Prairie Dogs - 2007/2008