ROB GONZALEZ
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ROB GONZALEZ

Los Angeles, California, United States | INDIE

Los Angeles, California, United States | INDIE
Band Jazz Adult Contemporary

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"Is he the male version of Norah Jones?"

Just over a year ago I went to see Livingston Taylor (James' Brother) play at the Iron Horse Music Hall in North Hampton, MA. I had seen Livingston play many times before and was looking forward to a night filled with incredible guitar playing, folky music and Liv's amusing antidotal stories between songs. I thought I might even be lucky enough to see James sing with his brother as he does on occasion. Well, James didn't make the show, but I was impressed by another singer/songwriter, only he wasn't a vineyard boy like the Taylor's and he didn't play guitar. He was a pianist from Wisconsin with one of the smoothest voices I had heard in a while.

Rob Gonzalez was his name and he opened the evening for Livingston by bringing the room to life by playing and singing his original tunes. If I had to categorize his style it's as if you took Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Lyle Lovett and Jackson Brown and combined them into one. Rob has the ability to tear up the keys with the likes of some of the best Jazz pianist around, and he can get your toes tapping to a country song much like Lyle can. He has the ability to slow things down and strike a chord deep in your past like Jackson Brown, but he can do it with the enthusiasm of Van Morrison or the soulfulness of Ray Charles.

Rob's live performances are great for those of us who don't need to be wowed by a big production. It's just him, his piano, his voice and his songs, which by the way are all great. There has been a void in recent years for a great male singer/songwriter who's focus is on the piano. It seems that Rob is filling that void and
doing so very well.

For more information on Rob, or to buy one of his albums or catch his next show, please visit
his website: www.robgonzalez.com


©copyright 2004 vineyard vines® all rights reserved - Vineyard Vines-The Vineyard Vine Volume 1, No. 3, May & June 2004


"Rob Gonzalez debuts at #18 on national radio chart"

Boston-based singer-songwriter Rob Gonzalez’s new album, entitled “Somehow,” recently debuted at #18 in College Music Journal’s Top 40 Triple A(Issue 744). The album debuted just below Bob Dylan, Sting, Lyle Lovett, and Suzanne Vega. CMJ’s Triple A chart is compiled based on airplay at Adult Alternative Album format radio stations (including commercial, non-commercial, and college). Gonzalez debuted in the chart after only four weeks of promotion by radio promoter David Avery of Powderfinger Promotions. CMJ (College Music Journal) charts are monitored and used by the music industry to gauge success of artists. Gonzalez’s debut on the chart as an unsigned artist is a rare event and signals future success in the industry for Gonzalez.

To further promote the release of his new CD, Gonzalez—originally a Wisconsin native from the town of Wauwatosa—will be kicking off his “Missing Wisconsin Tour”on January 31, 2002. Backed by his three piece band, Gonzalez will tour a very busy schedule performing at 20 Wisconsin colleges in 22 days. The tour is named after the song “Missing Wisconsin,” which appears on Gonzalez’s new CD.

The Wisconsin tour is the result of a lucky break which occurred last April at a National Association of Campus Activities Conference held in Appleton, WI. Gonzalez was a
last minute fill-in to showcase for 50 college talent buyers—24 of the 50 booked him on the spot. Gonzalez being a Wisconsin native, the break was not only lucky, but coincidental.

Gonzalez has been involved in the Boston music scene since moving from Wisconsin in 1991 to attend Berklee College of Music. His former band, Darling Picassos, was a local success in the mid-90’s –headlining at Mama Kin Music Hall and opening shows for Letters to Cleo and Tracy Bonham.

Rob’s sound is a blend of modern rock and folk likened to artists such as David Gray, The Wallflowers,and Sheryl Crow. Several tracks on Somehow were produced by major label producer Anthony J. Resta (Collective Soul’s Blender).
—End—

w w w . r o b g o n z a l e z . c o m
- Tons of Fun Records


"Is he the male version of Norah Jones?"

Just over a year ago I went to see Livingston Taylor (James' Brother) play at the Iron Horse Music Hall in North Hampton, MA. I had seen Livingston play many times before and was looking forward to a night filled with incredible guitar playing, folky music and Liv's amusing antidotal stories between songs. I thought I might even be lucky enough to see James sing with his brother as he does on occasion. Well, James didn't make the show, but I was impressed by another singer/songwriter, only he wasn't a vineyard boy like the Taylor's and he didn't play guitar. He was a pianist from Wisconsin with one of the smoothest voices I had heard in a while.

Rob Gonzalez was his name and he opened the evening for Livingston by bringing the room to life by playing and singing his original tunes. If I had to categorize his style it's as if you took Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Lyle Lovett and Jackson Brown and combined them into one. Rob has the ability to tear up the keys with the likes of some of the best Jazz pianist around, and he can get your toes tapping to a country song much like Lyle can. He has the ability to slow things down and strike a chord deep in your past like Jackson Brown, but he can do it with the enthusiasm of Van Morrison or the soulfulness of Ray Charles.

Rob's live performances are great for those of us who don't need to be wowed by a big production. It's just him, his piano, his voice and his songs, which by the way are all great. There has been a void in recent years for a great male singer/songwriter who's focus is on the piano. It seems that Rob is filling that void and
doing so very well.

For more information on Rob, or to buy one of his albums or catch his next show, please visit
his website: www.robgonzalez.com


©copyright 2004 vineyard vines® all rights reserved - Vineyard Vines-The Vineyard Vine Volume 1, No. 3, May & June 2004


"Quotes"

“Rob Gonzalez was the #1 solo music act of all the acts who showcased at the 2004 NACA National Convention
(based on the number of colleges who submitted interest/booking forms).”

—Programming Magazine (May 2004 Issue)

“Rob Gonzalez is a clever performer... with solid pop songs. ‘I’ll Get To You (Somehow)’ is an exquisite love song... the
talent is there.”

—Steve Morse, Boston Globe

“This guy writes superb, immaculately conceived songs and he’s a smart performer... a really top flight local pop artist.”

—Ken Capobianco, Boston Metro

“Rob uses his songwriting talent to create some damn good pop songs... he creates music with more substance than most pop artists, and that is why he stands out. This definitely is one of those albums that the listener will find more reason to enjoy, the more they play it. Overall rating 4 out of 5 stars.”

—Music Dish

“Gonzalez’s CD, entitled Somehow, overflows with an abundance of steady pop hooks and finely tuned arrangement...
Gonzalez is really impressive here and his keyboard work shimmers... it’s clear that he knows the value of a smart pop cut.”

—Robert Silverstein, 20th Century Guitar

“His songs impress with nice insight into how some women think, at least as well as any man can. “Caroline” is instantly memorable. Excellent recording technically. Strong arrangements.”

—Sing out!

“Rob Gonzalez displays a penchant for writing clever pop tunes... his voice is lush and full... good stuff!”

—Brian Owens, Metronome Magazine

“An engaging recording by a very capable singer-songwriter... attractive songs, combining a pop sensibility with astute lyrics, make for worthwhile listening... likely to be attracting more attention in the future.”

—George Graham, Music Director, WVIA

“Gonzalez has the ability to surpass the Wallflowers and that’s not easy for me to say, being the Wallflowers lover I am!”

—Roseanne Hoffman, Music Director, WUSB

“Your CD has made it into my home collection and it’s now one of my favorites. I’d like to make you a headlining act at my venue. I only make a call like this once every two or three years.”

—Jordi Herald, Talent Buyer, Iron Horse Ent. Group

“’I’ll Get To You (Somehow)’ is one of the best songs I’ve ever worked on... and one of the coolest productions that I have ever put together.”

—Anthony J. Resta (major label producer)

Q U O T E S - Tons of Fun Recordings


"Quotes"

“Rob Gonzalez was the #1 solo music act of all the acts who showcased at the 2004 NACA National Convention
(based on the number of colleges who submitted interest/booking forms).”

—Programming Magazine (May 2004 Issue)

“Rob Gonzalez is a clever performer... with solid pop songs. ‘I’ll Get To You (Somehow)’ is an exquisite love song... the
talent is there.”

—Steve Morse, Boston Globe

“This guy writes superb, immaculately conceived songs and he’s a smart performer... a really top flight local pop artist.”

—Ken Capobianco, Boston Metro

“Rob uses his songwriting talent to create some damn good pop songs... he creates music with more substance than most pop artists, and that is why he stands out. This definitely is one of those albums that the listener will find more reason to enjoy, the more they play it. Overall rating 4 out of 5 stars.”

—Music Dish

“Gonzalez’s CD, entitled Somehow, overflows with an abundance of steady pop hooks and finely tuned arrangement...
Gonzalez is really impressive here and his keyboard work shimmers... it’s clear that he knows the value of a smart pop cut.”

—Robert Silverstein, 20th Century Guitar

“His songs impress with nice insight into how some women think, at least as well as any man can. “Caroline” is instantly memorable. Excellent recording technically. Strong arrangements.”

—Sing out!

“Rob Gonzalez displays a penchant for writing clever pop tunes... his voice is lush and full... good stuff!”

—Brian Owens, Metronome Magazine

“An engaging recording by a very capable singer-songwriter... attractive songs, combining a pop sensibility with astute lyrics, make for worthwhile listening... likely to be attracting more attention in the future.”

—George Graham, Music Director, WVIA

“Gonzalez has the ability to surpass the Wallflowers and that’s not easy for me to say, being the Wallflowers lover I am!”

—Roseanne Hoffman, Music Director, WUSB

“Your CD has made it into my home collection and it’s now one of my favorites. I’d like to make you a headlining act at my venue. I only make a call like this once every two or three years.”

—Jordi Herald, Talent Buyer, Iron Horse Ent. Group

“’I’ll Get To You (Somehow)’ is one of the best songs I’ve ever worked on... and one of the coolest productions that I have ever put together.”

—Anthony J. Resta (major label producer)

Q U O T E S - Tons of Fun Recordings


Discography

All Is Right With The World (2006)

The Day The Red Sox Beat The Yankees (2004, CD single)

Rush From Your Touch (2004)

Somehow (2001)

Wrestling Athena (1999)

Photos

Bio

Rob Gonzalez is an American recording artist, composer, pianist, vocalist and producer currently based in Los Angeles, CA. He is best known for his 2006 album All Is Right With The World, which he self-released to widespread critical acclaim. The 12 song album, co-produced by Grammy winning producer Dave Way, features a stunning array of A list studio musicians, including collaborators/members of the touring ensembles of Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting, and John Mellencamp.

Gonzalez is also known for taking a personal stand in the music industry against music made “purely for fame and wealth,” forming Music Equals Love Inc. as an attempt to follow his pursuit of making “artful music of substance” while contributing to deserving charity organizations.

Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Gonzalez moved to Boston, MA in 1991 to study jazz piano at Berklee College of Music and spent the next decade living there writing songs and performing. Later, he spent 2001 to 2006 becoming widely popular on the US college touring circuit, touring over 200 schools across the US. During that period, he produced and self-released the 12 song album The Rush From Your Touch, which also received rave reviews and garnered significant interest from the music industry.

Gonzalez’s organic musical approach has often been compared to artists of the 70s singer-songwriter era such as Jackson Browne and Van Morrison. Gonzalez’s earliest musical influences included The Beatles, Elton John, and Sting. For more info, please visit: www.robgonzalez.com.

**New York Times - Emerging Artist 2007**
*Boston Globe -- "Exquisite... the talent is there"*