Biography
The first time Robin English opened for Willie Nelson, he invited her to sing with him during his show. When she took the stage, he motioned to whisper something in her ear. He said, "I heard you knocked 'em out!" She knocks 'em out wherever she goes.
Robin English grew up in a family jam in Texas. Her grandmother played ragtime piano, her grandfather played harmonica, her uncle played the mandolin, and her parents both played guitar, wrote songs, and sang. Her sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends all joined in to make a joyful noise. Robin found her own voice inspired by their homegrown blues, rock, country, gospel, and folk.
In addition to playing music, Robin's parents encouraged her to go to school and get an education. She studied in Dallas,TX, Paris, France, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and finally, Nashville, Tennessee where she got her degree in English and Music Business. She then went on to attend law school for several years. Although she excelled in law school, her calling was in music. So she put up her law books and got out her guitar. She set her sites on songwriting and becoming a recording artist.
She signed her first record deal in 2000 with Sony/Columbia Records. She coproduced an album with Paul Worley (Dixie Chicks), Kyle Lehning (Randy Travis) , and George Massenburg (Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Earth, Wind, and Fire). Her single, "Girl In Love" cowritten with hit songwriter Marcus Hummon, was on Billboard's Top 20 single sales chart for more than 8 months. The video was also in the Top 10 most requested videos for GAC. In spite of the success of the single, Sony had 5 downsizes during the time Robin was on Columbia. Sony had fired most of the people who signed her and she felt that it was time to move on. It took her almost 2 years to be released.
Once she gained her freedom, Robin was ready to make more music. Instead of waiting in line for another major label release and putting her career in the hands of a corporate machine, she decided to start an independent label with her family.
In 2007, Robin was one of the most played indie artist's in the country. Robin's indie label, Brass Ring Records has national distribution through Progression and Selectohits. The current album, Velvet Covered Brick, continues to gain praise and promise with hit after hit. Robin's song "Cotton Field Girl" rose to the Top Ten in Texas. Robin's single, "Mama's Don't Let Your Cowboys Grow Up To Be Babies," a thought-provoking, fun tribute to her heroes, rose to number 13. And the current single "Enjoy The Ride" is on the rise.
Earlier this year, Robin took some time off the road
so she and her husband could welcome their first child into the world. Robin performed right up until a week before her due date in May. This fall Robin is back touring in support of her new single.
Robin's work ethic and experience have paid off as she has continued to hone her skills as a writer, producer, and performer. She has opened and played with great artists such as Roger Creager, Reckless Kelly, Clint Black, Hal Ketchum, Brad Paisley, and Wille Nelson. She has written more than 500 songs. She has cowritten with more than 130 writers including hit writers and Hall of Famers. With the success of Velvet Covered Brick, Robin is poised to build her momentum. As Hal Ketchum said, "Robin English is a true artist who needs to be heard- the sooner the better."
Instrumentation
Robin English- lead vocals, guitar, harmonica
Angela Porter- bgv's, keyboard
Joe Porter- drums
Gary Ishee- electric/acoustic guitar
Vinnie Gorbonzo- mandolin, fiddle, slide, guitar
Sean Smith- bass
Discography
Cotton Field Girl- Top Ten in Texas- 2007
Girl In Love- Top Twenty Country Billboard Single Sales- 2001
Mama's Don't Let Your Cowboys Grow Up To Be Babies- #13 Texas Music Chart
Velvet Covered Brick- album release October 2007
One of the most played indie artists of 2007
Links
| http://www.robinenglish.com |