GOING  SOLO
Jonn Gold


The solo acoustic gig is perhaps the one manner of musical expression providing the most freedom an artist can create for oneself, yet one of the most difficult in which to gather an audience and acclaim. We have just discovered yet another great new solo acoustic performer from the Tacoma - Seattle where there is certainly an abundance of talent especially in the Blues and Jazz or alternative markets. However, the solo acoustic scene has always been prevalent although a bit " underground ", so to speak. Private gigs, coffee houses, churches and school functions are the grounds in which the one person show learns to cut his or her musical teeth. Robbie Walden is a good writer and there's some emotion in his voice that intrigues me. Leaning more towards Country music with the consciousness of say - John Melencamp or Steve Earle, I would think that we will be hearing more about Robbie Walden in the future and on the radio. Here's our interview of Robbie:

DGT: Robbie, tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from and how did you get involved with music? ROBBIE: I was born in Anchorage, Alaska but raised in the farm town of beautiful Sequim, WA. I got into music when I was young. Both my grandpa?s are pastors (Pentecostal raised) and so I was raised around real good Country Gospel Music in and out of the church. It has always been in my blood though. My Grandpa plays guitar real good and so did my dad. When I was around 8 or 9 I?d say, before I could play guitar, I would play my favorite songs and rewrite the lyrics and then play the song low and sing to my made up lyrics. Most of the time they were songs that were supposed to be funny. I was always a little show off, lol. DGT: Who are a few of your musical influences and why? ROBBIE: First, My Grandpa Hudson and my 6th grade School teacher Mr. Magner. They both were the first people to truly introduce and influence my guitar playing and style. As far as major influences go, there is so many to name because I love so many styles, primarily Old and New Country and Rock and Oldies and Blue Grass. However, as far as people go, I?d Say Ray Charles, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Marvin Gay, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, David Allen Coe, Albert Lee, George Strait, Tobey Kieth, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Trent Tomlinson, Brooks and Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Tracy Chapman and Edwin McCain. Ok, that was more then a few, lol. Country music as a whole is my major influence. I love the story telling in Country especially, Old Country. Plus, there are always messages and things people can relate too in Country. DGT: Do you see yourself as a singer-songwriter or a serious musician or all three? ROBBIE: I would definitely say all three. As I see it, I am a performer and story teller. But my goal is to make it to the top in music. I don?t want to be short lived and I want to produce music that people listen and can hear the passion and emotion in my music. DGT: In the past year or so where have you been playing? ROBBIE: Just about any venue that will let me. This last year has been all acoustic sets but it has still been fun. Lately it has been the Tacoma area only because I have been real busy. I?ve been in and out of the studio slowly working on a new album and looking to build a band. DGT: Where do you anticipate playing in the next six months. ROBBIE: Everywhere. I most likely will be doing a three day stop in Boise, Idaho this June. DGT: I see that you currently don?t have a backup band. Is that the direction you would rather go, working with a team rather than being a solo performer? ROBBIE: Actually, I am looking for a back up band. It has been real hard looking. Most everyone is already in a band and the ones that aren?t generally aren?t for a reason. A lot of people are still stuck on Nirvana too. DGT: Where would you like to see yourself in two years Robbie? What?s your plan of action to make that happen? ROBBIE: I want to make it in Country Music. Music period, but I see myself in Country. I would like to have a solid CD completed probably in Nashville. Also, I am in the process of co-writing with some other great songwriters. My wife and I are also discussing selling our house and moving to Nashville to work on music full time. The hard part is selling the house right now. Market is LOW! I need to surround myself with other top noth musicians for networking purposes and to make myself better. DGT: do you have some favorite guitars, either that you currently own or would like to acquire? ROBBIE: I am a HUGE fan of Tacoma Guitars. I own a few of them and they are my babies. Baritone guitars have become my new found love. I now have to very beautiful and expensive Baritone?s made by Tacoma and that is what you will see me play mostly on stage. (Tacoma is owned by Fender now but still making them) There are a few Gibson?s and Taylor?s I like as well. DGT: Robbie I really like ? Don?t Cry Down There For me ?. Quite an emotional theme. Comment? ROBBIE: My older brother Jesse Marunde passed away last summer from a massive heart attack while training. It was caused by an enlarged heart. You probably have heard and seen him before. He was a professional Strongman and placed 2nd two years ago in the Worlds Strongest Man. I wrote the song for our mom and family to help with the grieving. A little side note, I was adopted in middle school by the Marundes. We grew up as best friends and my real father was abusive so they unofficially adopted me. But the song I wrote through the eyes of Jesse looking down on us from Heaven and he is telling us not to cry for him because he is home and they are the ones missing us. That song has been a very touching song even for me. I have gotten emails and myspace messages from all over from people in similar situations telling me they were very touched by that song. That is a major reason why I write and play music, to touch people. DGT: How did ? The Road Known Too Well ? come to be? ROBBIE: Well coming from an abusive alcoholic father, I am very sensitive to abuse and aware of it as well. Seeing my mother and other women being abused I wrote the song. It is about how women who are in abusive relationships tend to have a pattern of it and they never see a way out. They always feel alone not realizing that there were friends and family there the whole time. I wrote it hoping that it may save some ones life some day. The nice thing I think for others is that I came from that type of situation and overcame it with the help and love from others around me. DGT: Where can our readers in the Seattle Tacoma areas hear you next and how does one contact you for bookings? ROBBIE: Right now the main place to see and hear anything about me is on www.myspace.com/robbiewaldenmusic The Weekly Volcano is another place you can check local venues and what and who?s playing. You can even Google me to find more out. I am on there quiet a bit for my sports and music. DGT: Well that?s all the time we?ve got right now Robbie but we want to say thank you for getting together and making this interview happen. ROBBIE: You are so welcome and I want to thank you for asking me to do the interview. I am glad that you enjoyed the music and I hope your readers and fans will too. God Bless and I hope the future brings ya?ll lots of success. Stay Strong ~ Robbie Walden