Sometimes I think people are too caught up in being normal. What is normal anyway? Does being normal mean the same to everybody? I sometimes think people get so caught up in trying to live up to a standard set by someone else, that they forget to live their own lives. If everyone had the same standards of normalcy, and everyone lived only to those expectations and guidelines, this world wound be a pretty boring place. In music, it seems as though sometimes there are trends to normal and a set guidelines in some cases, and I guess I just never got the memo on that. I don't like what everyone else likes all the time, but then again, I'm sure that there are many others who feel the same way I do. Music is an outlet for expression of ones individuality, who has the right to label or put boundaries on that?
The first time I heard Fade Away by Rob Baird a couple of years ago, I knew that there was something unique about him. His sound was slow and steady, a grind if you will. The lyrics to the song were simple yet complex, direct yet not hurried, and his gravely and distinct voice carried the images of his words from my ears, straight to my imagination. I guess you could say I was able to pick up what he was puttin' down.
Growing up in Memphis, Rob always knew he wanted to pursue a music career, yet it never took off until he attended college at TCU. Starting to play local Ft. Worth haunts, Rob started to hone his musical skills, and begin to figure out where he fit in. Cutting his first album, Blue Eyed Angel, while still in college, Rob found success on a record he might tell you was a fluke, but introduced us to his take on the singer-songwriter setup. "I didn't really know what I was doing, just kinda flew by the seat of my pants. It was kinda a fluke, but in a good way. It worked out."
Following the success of his first album, Rob's sophomore follow-up, I Swear It's The Truth, released to great acclaim. The album has a good flow, with each song seemingly fitting in order, and achieving a sound that can only be describe as an individuals look at life while he lives it. Rob Baird is delivering the sound that many artists find hard to locate, and succeeds as a storyteller by way of clear hooks, and infectious lyrics. Rob Baird is one artist I see continuing to give us an updated throwback to roots-rock, and a pure feel for individualism. I'll leave you guys with another look at a great, up-beat, Rob Baird acoustic track.
When you spend too much time worrying about what others think, you forget to live. The great thing about life is, you get to live it. Trying to fit in, well that's just a mind-numbing pursuit. Just be yourself, and you will find that more people will accept you for you, not an image. Everyone is different, and yet not all that different at the same time. If you take the time to listen to people, you will be amazed at what similarities you have. Love a little, listen more, and live a lot. This is Texas Red Dirt Roads.
For more info on Rob Baird's music and tour dates visit: www.robbairdmusic.com
To pick up a copy of Rob's music visit: http://shop.txrdr.com
Adiós,
Aaron Bentley
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