It doesn’t take much listening to Milwaukee blues guitarist Robert Allen Jr. to realize that he’s a blues singer that is ready to play any show, anywhere. Best known for being the hardest working blues band in Wisconsin, Robert is out playing his blues somewhere nearly every night of the week. With his signature black hat, and black suit, his eyes all but hidden behind bluesman sun glasses, his guitar named “Blondie” strapped over his shoulder, and his vintage amplifier named "The Bull Dog" cranked up, this is electric blues -n- boogie played with a ton of soul. His two piece band is similarly attired in suits giving all three men a classy but rough around the edges look that tells a story even before they play a note. It’s unlikely that you’ve seen one guitarist make such an electrified and electrifying sound with only one guitar and amp, no pedals or effects here. Robert doesn’t so much play the guitar, he masters it. Flying up and down the neck in a blur of hands, and playing solos with razor sharpness, he gives off energy that rockets from the stage. Robert’s voice is distinctive and he puts everything into his singing, he and his bass man sing soulful vocal harmonies that turn heads everywhere they perform. Their voices and guitars seem to meld into one to create hypnotic and unforgettable sounds. The members of this band are true professionals, hardened by years of paying they’re dues. Not even stopping between tunes they lay down one groove after another, raising the energy level as the performance comes to an end. Robert acts the blues gunslinger part perfectly, strolling around the crowd and sliding up to fans as he plays the blues, Roberts sound is custom tuned for packed clubs and festivals where sheer passion washes over his listeners. This band has a chameleon like persona and they are ready to play for any audience, any time! Whether at a local swing dance, a summer festival, a blues bar, or opening on the big stage for acts like Bruce Springsteen, and Quiet Riot, you can’t help but appreciate the level of passion they pump into every note. Robert Allen Jr. is a musician who has it figured out and knows how to connect with his audience.
Roberts family was full of talented blues/roots musicians. His grandfathers band was always performing at the weekly family get together. Robert was always around music and first picked up a guitar at the age of five. By the age of 13 Robert was spending all of his time in the local music store, playing different guitars. A year later he got his first guitar and he never put it down again, he even slept with it. Robert started his first band in 1988 and by his late teens he was touring nationally with blues bands. In 1997 his east coast travels with legendary Chicago bluesman Sam Lay (Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield) led him to the blues master Jimmy Rogers. That same year Robert traveled to the Mississippi delta and the infamous crossroads. The next few days he met blues legends like James Cotton, Buddy Guy, Robert Jr. Lockwood, and more. A week later he found his Gibson/Epiphone ES-335 guitar he named "Blondie". Robert and Blondie have been inseparable ever since and have been astounding audiences wherever they go. One critic called his playing "Haunting! Robert has shared the big stage opening for acts like, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Bryan Lee, and George Thorogood. Roberts presence takes over the stage and always leaves his audiences with a unforgettable show!
SHOWTIME! This is professional entertainment. Robert presents a dynamic show full of good time blues, a tight rhythm section, stinging guitar, incredible bass work, soulful vocal harmonies, energy that actually rockets from the stage! So get your next party or event started with Robert Allen Jr. and you'll be glad that you did!
Dave Braun on drums, toured Europe with Scott Finch and the Blues O Delics, He recorded five albums with the Mosleys, He recorded on Rounder Records with the Spanic Boys, and was nominated for a Grammy award. He has made appearances on MTV, VH1, and Saturday Night Live. Simply put Dave Braun is brilliant, this is high-octane drumming. He holds down the back bone to this bands groove. He effortlessly plays Chicago Shuffles, West Coast swing, Memphis boogies, Texas soul, Rock n roll, Rockabilly, Funk, you name it, His approach is simple; Let it all hang out!
Rick Holmes on bass and backing vocals has performed for 40 years with artists such as Steve Allen, Buddy Miles, the Spanic Boys, John Paris, Bryan Lee, Greg Koch, Steve Cohen, Jim Liban, Scott Schrard (Allman Brothers), Jack Grassel, Paul Black, Billy Flynn, RJ Mischo, Barrelhouse Chuck, Reverend Raven, Joey Cross, Terry Frank, Zoot Suit Boogie, and many more. Rick is a six time WAMI award winner. Now that he is performing once again with Robert Allen Jr. Rick is laying down some serious bass work, with his upright checkerboard bass named the "Race Bass" or his electric red funk bass, Rick is preparing for this band to make a new mark on the music industry.
some special guest performers who play with the band are:
Johnny Velvet on Blues Harmonica
Cadillac Pete on blues Harmonica
Gilligan on Saxophone
Tom Sobel on Saxophone
Bill LeClaire on Piano
Dan Moore on Piano
Robert Allen Jr.
