JRobert

His friends say, "No tellin' about Houghtaling [pronounced hotellin'], because you never know what he's going to play." They are referring to J. Robert Houghtaling, known professionally as J. Robert. Quite well-known on the island, J. Robert is so in demand that he doesn't play regularly at a club or restaurant. But he does play all over Marco, Naples, Bonita Springs and Ft. Myers.

J. Robert's heart lies in his first instrument, the violin, but he is quite adept with the guitar, mandolin, harmonica and keyboard. Sixteen years ago, he was invited to play at Quinn's on the Beach where he continued through the summer. During that time, he met Stan Gober and the owner of the Snook Inn. He was hired for the season to play at Stan's, Snook Inn, and the Marco Bay Resort. The following summer he was invited back to the Marriott where he entertained for eight years.
Living in Southwest Florida, J. Robert immediately recognized that Jimmy Buffet was not being promoted at that time on Marco. New York style piano players were what the establishments wanted. "I didn't play that, but told the proprietors that I was working up a bunch of Jimmy Buffet material with a tropical flavor and one thing led to another," said J. Robert. He ultimately mastered the guitar with a lot of classical lessons, got into Spanish and tropical styles, and studied a little jazz.


"Somewhere in the last 12 years, as a Jimmy Buffet artist, you have to have a pan man [steel drums], so I've been dealing with a lot of guys from Trinidad, Jamaica and Tobago. I let the pan man play for many years, but it is difficult keeping them steady around here," said J. Robert. "At 50-years-old, I picked up the pan myself and I'm having a lot of fun with it, as much as I do with my other instruments," he said.

J. Robert started to get the feel for music as a young child singing and swinging in the backyard and waking up the neighbors, as he tells it. He learned the violin in junior high school and was greatly influenced by his father who was into every kind of music from Rachmaninoff and Bach to jazz as well as being a hi-fi buff. "My father was one of those john boys who left the farm, took his family, went to the university and succeeded as a nuclear engineer. That's how I got to see the world -- on the coat-tails of my father and his hi-fi productions," he said. "My mother loved country music to the max. So I got a good blend. I'm a fusion," he went on to say. While in college, J. Robert became intrigued by the beatniks and hippies playing jug band music. He played that for a while, but his roots were the Beatles, Dylan, and the Stones. He says he is constantly picking up new styles, such as soca and reggae.

His Mangrove Music Studio is where he produces local CDs. However, he has produced other CDs with C.W. Colt from Key West, Brent Moyer from Nashville, John McEuen from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steel on Steel, and Jim Billie to name a few.

His own latest CD is entitled "Blue Water Christmas." It has folksy traditional Christmas songs island style with reggae, jazz, Spanish and soca. With J. Robert playing violin and steel drums, he is accompanied by bass guitarist Alex Santonelli; drummer Bobby Snyder Jr.; percussionist Tony Pastrana; singer Joanne Hammond from the Wildflowers; guitarist Frank Carroll; samba and jazz guitarist Michael Oakland; keyboardist Mark Pettey from the Marshall Tucker Band; and Roli Scholl, a Hawaiian steel guitarist from Switzerland. His previous CD, Blue Water Cruise, was created with the concept of sailing and yachting.

"Besides the great musicians that are on my CD, we have some of the finest world-class musicians on Marco Island, not only from Florida, but from all over the country. From Bob Snyder to Dan Vass, who is so amazing, to young people like Gino Ortiz. We have more entertainment on Marco than in Naples and practically any place in Florida," said J. Robert.

J. Robert primarily plays at private functions and weddings. He recently appeared at the Shops of Marco Christmas Walk and at the Tree Lighting Ceremony. On Dec. 7, he will entertain at the Kiwanis Christmas Party for Needy Families on Marco, Dec. 10 at the Olde Marco Island Inn for the Christian Woman's Club Tour of Homes and New Year's Eve at the Hilton hotel.

- Marco Sun Times

His friends say, "No tellin' about Houghtaling [pronounced hotellin'], because you never know what he's going to play." They are referring to J. Robert Houghtaling, known professionally as J. Robert. Quite well-known on the island, J. Robert is so in demand that he doesn't play regularly at a club or restaurant. But he does play all over Marco, Naples, Bonita Springs and Ft. Myers.

J. Robert's heart lies in his first instrument, the violin, but he is quite adept with the guitar, mandolin, harmonica and keyboard. Sixteen years ago, he was invited to play at Quinn's on the Beach where he continued through the summer. During that time, he met Stan Gober and the owner of the Snook Inn. He was hired for the season to play at Stan's, Snook Inn, and the Marco Bay Resort. The following summer he was invited back to the Marriott where he entertained for eight years.
Living in Southwest Florida, J. Robert immediately recognized that Jimmy Buffet was not being promoted at that time on Marco. New York style piano players were what the establishments wanted. "I didn't play that, but told the proprietors that I was working up a bunch of Jimmy Buffet material with a tropical flavor and one thing led to another," said J. Robert. He ultimately mastered the guitar with a lot of classical lessons, got into Spanish and tropical styles, and studied a little jazz.


"Somewhere in the last 12 years, as a Jimmy Buffet artist, you have to have a pan man [steel drums], so I've been dealing with a lot of guys from Trinidad, Jamaica and Tobago. I let the pan man play for many years, but it is difficult keeping them steady around here," said J. Robert. "At 50-years-old, I picked up the pan myself and I'm having a lot of fun with it, as much as I do with my other instruments," he said.

J. Robert started to get the feel for music as a young child singing and swinging in the backyard and waking up the neighbors, as he tells it. He learned the violin in junior high school and was greatly influenced by his father who was into every kind of music from Rachmaninoff and Bach to jazz as well as being a hi-fi buff. "My father was one of those john boys who left the farm, took his family, went to the university and succeeded as a nuclear engineer. That's how I got to see the world -- on the coat-tails of my father and his hi-fi productions," he said. "My mother loved country music to the max. So I got a good blend. I'm a fusion," he went on to say. While in college, J. Robert became intrigued by the beatniks and hippies playing jug band music. He played that for a while, but his roots were the Beatles, Dylan, and the Stones. He says he is constantly picking up new styles, such as soca and reggae.

His Mangrove Music Studio is where he produces local CDs. However, he has produced other CDs with C.W. Colt from Key West, Brent Moyer from Nashville, John McEuen from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steel on Steel, and Jim Billie to name a few.

His own latest CD is entitled "Blue Water Christmas." It has folksy traditional Christmas songs island style with reggae, jazz, Spanish and soca. With J. Robert playing violin and steel drums, he is accompanied by bass guitarist Alex Santonelli; drummer Bobby Snyder Jr.; percussionist Tony Pastrana; singer Joanne Hammond from the Wildflowers; guitarist Frank Carroll; samba and jazz guitarist Michael Oakland; keyboardist Mark Pettey from the Marshall Tucker Band; and Roli Scholl, a Hawaiian steel guitarist from Switzerland. His previous CD, Blue Water Cruise, was created with the concept of sailing and yachting.

"Besides the great musicians that are on my CD, we have some of the finest world-class musicians on Marco Island, not only from Florida, but from all over the country. From Bob Snyder to Dan Vass, who is so amazing, to young people like Gino Ortiz. We have more entertainment on Marco than in Naples and practically any place in Florida," said J. Robert.

J. Robert primarily plays at private functions and weddings. He recently appeared at the Shops of Marco Christmas Walk and at the Tree Lighting Ceremony. On Dec. 7, he will entertain at the Kiwanis Christmas Party for Needy Families on Marco, Dec. 10 at the Olde Marco Island Inn for the Christian Woman's Club Tour of Homes and New Year's Eve at the Hilton hotel.

- Marco Sun Times

7/31/03 Pete Gallagher

The King of Marco Island, one of Florida Folk's truly elite performer/songwriters, master fiddler J. Robert, will headline tonight's Florida Folk Night at Ka'Tiki. Fiddlin' J. will make the trek up to Treasure Island from his southwest Florida home with his fiddle, guitar and steel drums to fill the big outdoor chickee with his version of the Florida folk sound. In addition to playing a set of his own music, Florida's own "String Wizard" (apologies to his friend John McEuen, the national S.W.) J. promises to back up any open mike performer who takes the stage during the evening. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and goes until the nasty bastards complain about noise, and Fred gets a ticket about 11:01 p.m. Address: 8801 W. Gulf Blvd. Phone 727-360-2272. The show goes on dry (except for the bar) by the shore of the Gulf of Mexico on famous Sunset Beach.
For more than 25 years, J. Robert has been SW Florida's premier folk performer -- a mainstay at local festivals, hotels, clubs and corporate events down there. He regularly tours to Switzerland, where he carries the Florida folk flag as one of this country's most well known stars in that part of the world. He has recorded more than seven CDs, many of them in his own studio and is one of those rare Florida folk musicians who actually makes his total living from playing music. He is a regular at the Florida Folk Festival, has toured often with Chief Jim Billie and was the winner of the Will McLean Songwriting Contest in its best year (when unbiased Pete Seeger was the judge). If you're going to make the trek to Ka'Tiki, this is the night.
- WMNF Florida Folk Show Bulletin

7/31/03 Pete Gallagher

The King of Marco Island, one of Florida Folk's truly elite performer/songwriters, master fiddler J. Robert, will headline tonight's Florida Folk Night at Ka'Tiki. Fiddlin' J. will make the trek up to Treasure Island from his southwest Florida home with his fiddle, guitar and steel drums to fill the big outdoor chickee with his version of the Florida folk sound. In addition to playing a set of his own music, Florida's own "String Wizard" (apologies to his friend John McEuen, the national S.W.) J. promises to back up any open mike performer who takes the stage during the evening. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and goes until the nasty bastards complain about noise, and Fred gets a ticket about 11:01 p.m. Address: 8801 W. Gulf Blvd. Phone 727-360-2272. The show goes on dry (except for the bar) by the shore of the Gulf of Mexico on famous Sunset Beach.
For more than 25 years, J. Robert has been SW Florida's premier folk performer -- a mainstay at local festivals, hotels, clubs and corporate events down there. He regularly tours to Switzerland, where he carries the Florida folk flag as one of this country's most well known stars in that part of the world. He has recorded more than seven CDs, many of them in his own studio and is one of those rare Florida folk musicians who actually makes his total living from playing music. He is a regular at the Florida Folk Festival, has toured often with Chief Jim Billie and was the winner of the Will McLean Songwriting Contest in its best year (when unbiased Pete Seeger was the judge). If you're going to make the trek to Ka'Tiki, this is the night.
- WMNF Florida Folk Show Bulletin

8/7/03 Pete Gallagher

The sound of the ocean, the glint of the moon on the sparkling Gulf and the balmy breeze of the Sunset Beach atmosphere was a perfect setting for the astounding J. Robert in his headline appearance at the Ka'Tiki Florida Folk Night, last Thursday. Not only did J. present 40 minutes of his own music, on both fiddle and guitar, he sat in as a sideman with every single open mike act that took the stage before and after his own show. With brother Mike watching from the audience beneath the big chickee, J. regaled the audience with tender sailing ballads and raucous rhythm tunes that kept everyone -- even the locals around the bar in the back, tapping their feet, clapping hands and watching the tremendous artistry of the Marco Island string wizard. J. The Man played Irish, bluegrass, folk, jazz and island sounds -- even bowing to audience pressure to whip out the Orange Blossom Special for the clapping throng. He also showed why he is one of the state's top accompanying artists at the end of night, joining big voiced Queen of the blues Wendy "Soulshaker" Rich and guitar icon Raiford Starke for a series of ballads and blues numbers that left the crowd reeling and cursing at the sound ordinance that made the trio stop way too early. J. Robert doesn't get out of the Marco area much, but when he does, drop everything and go see him. Pay whatever the admission is and drop him a few Lincolns (or Jacksons!) in the tip jar. Take in some real Florida folk music played with his unique pizzazz. Truly one of the nicest guys and a top ten Florida Folk Act for sure.
- WMNF Florida Folk Show Bulletin

8/7/03 Pete Gallagher

The sound of the ocean, the glint of the moon on the sparkling Gulf and the balmy breeze of the Sunset Beach atmosphere was a perfect setting for the astounding J. Robert in his headline appearance at the Ka'Tiki Florida Folk Night, last Thursday. Not only did J. present 40 minutes of his own music, on both fiddle and guitar, he sat in as a sideman with every single open mike act that took the stage before and after his own show. With brother Mike watching from the audience beneath the big chickee, J. regaled the audience with tender sailing ballads and raucous rhythm tunes that kept everyone -- even the locals around the bar in the back, tapping their feet, clapping hands and watching the tremendous artistry of the Marco Island string wizard. J. The Man played Irish, bluegrass, folk, jazz and island sounds -- even bowing to audience pressure to whip out the Orange Blossom Special for the clapping throng. He also showed why he is one of the state's top accompanying artists at the end of night, joining big voiced Queen of the blues Wendy "Soulshaker" Rich and guitar icon Raiford Starke for a series of ballads and blues numbers that left the crowd reeling and cursing at the sound ordinance that made the trio stop way too early. J. Robert doesn't get out of the Marco area much, but when he does, drop everything and go see him. Pay whatever the admission is and drop him a few Lincolns (or Jacksons!) in the tip jar. Take in some real Florida folk music played with his unique pizzazz. Truly one of the nicest guys and a top ten Florida Folk Act for sure.
- WMNF Florida Folk Show Bulletin

4/1/04

The maestro of Marco Island, Fiddlin' J. Robert will be the headline artist TONIGHT (April 1 THURSDAY) (no, seriously, no joke) J. Robert will be there in the flesh at the Ka'Tiki Florida Folk Night on beautiful Sunset Beach, Treasure Island. Many will remember J. from his appearance at Ka'Tiki last year when he marveled all with his extraordinary talents on the fiddle, the guitar and the steel drum. His is the music of the coast, the 10,000 Islands and on out into the Gulf, where he sails daily in his own sailboat, conjuring up the images and melodies for his many original songs -- one of which was the winner in the Will McLean Song Writing contest (on the year that Pete Seeger was the judge!) (I'm sorry folks but THAT is a judge!). J. will be joined by a conga player, his brother giving the farm report and a host of Florida's best singer-songwriters, from sunset until 11 at 8801 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island Phone 360-2272. This is the third straight week we've had a fiddler at Ka'Tiki, from the enchanting Elan Chalford, to the swing stupendia of Jon Richard (Gypsy Wind) to Fiddlin' J. the best music in Florida on Thursday nights

Listen to J. Robert live on WMNF this morning with Pete Gallagher and Bobby Hicks (88.5 FM Tampa Bay) (www.wmnf.org) for streaming audio around the world) Marathon week is coming up in two weeks folks and we're bringing the greater -- and I mean great -- Hollywood Dave back to the airwaves, so save up a few coins to donate to the best little radio station on earth.

- WMNF Florida Folk Show Bulletin

4/1/04

The maestro of Marco Island, Fiddlin' J. Robert will be the headline artist TONIGHT (April 1 THURSDAY) (no, seriously, no joke) J. Robert will be there in the flesh at the Ka'Tiki Florida Folk Night on beautiful Sunset Beach, Treasure Island. Many will remember J. from his appearance at Ka'Tiki last year when he marveled all with his extraordinary talents on the fiddle, the guitar and the steel drum. His is the music of the coast, the 10,000 Islands and on out into the Gulf, where he sails daily in his own sailboat, conjuring up the images and melodies for his many original songs -- one of which was the winner in the Will McLean Song Writing contest (on the year that Pete Seeger was the judge!) (I'm sorry folks but THAT is a judge!). J. will be joined by a conga player, his brother giving the farm report and a host of Florida's best singer-songwriters, from sunset until 11 at 8801 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island Phone 360-2272. This is the third straight week we've had a fiddler at Ka'Tiki, from the enchanting Elan Chalford, to the swing stupendia of Jon Richard (Gypsy Wind) to Fiddlin' J. the best music in Florida on Thursday nights

Listen to J. Robert live on WMNF this morning with Pete Gallagher and Bobby Hicks (88.5 FM Tampa Bay) (www.wmnf.org) for streaming audio around the world) Marathon week is coming up in two weeks folks and we're bringing the greater -- and I mean great -- Hollywood Dave back to the airwaves, so save up a few coins to donate to the best little radio station on earth.

- WMNF Florida Folk Show Bulletin