RB Renegade - Second Time Around

When you first start talking to RB Renegade, you immediately get caught up in his infectious enthusiasm for everything. His music, the country legends stars he interviews for his NBRN internet radio show, his writing, his family, his soul mate and wife, Shari.

Born in Toronto, Canada, RB was recruited to move to the U.S. for work not related to the music industry. He stayed on and now Boston, MA is his home, where he resides when not travelling back and forth to Music City, USA.

When asked how he first was influenced to be a singer/songwriter his answer was surprising. ‘I played trombone in the High School band. But we had an English teacher, you know they typical British school marm type, who really opened my eyes to my writing. Her name was Mrs. Robinson and one day she brought an album in for us to listen to during class. It was Simon and Garfunkel, ‘Sounds of Silence’. That was it for me. I was hooked. I went home and wrote my very first song that night; ‘In My Room’, hugely influenced by ‘I Am A Rock’. I spent many hours with Mrs. Robinson after that, who encouraged me to write poetry, which of course is really what the basis of all good songs are anyway. Later on I was influenced by great writers like Gordon Lightfoot, I loved rock n roll like all kids my age, The Beach Boys, Beatles, then later on I liked great Canadian artists like Bryan Adams and Blue Rodeo.’One person whose music was always an influence was that of Terry Sumsion and to be on the same label with him now and to be working with him is such an honor.

And the influences of all these great writers paid off – RB has a new CD out entitled ‘Second Time Around’, that is filled with amazing songs that take you from the melancholy to the magic, that only a good songwriter can do for their listener. RB had a private investor for his first CD and it all flowed from there. His music got to Keith Bradford owner/operator of KMA Records, Keith Bradford Promotions, and the enterprising NBRN internet radio station in Nashville. ‘It just speeded up for me from there. I went to Nashville, and met Keith Bradford, who helped me enormously in so many ways. Keith helped me to get on the stage at the Nashville Palace for a Songwriters Circle, every writers dream. He then offered me my own radio show – which has now evolved into three time slots on nbrn.fm –My Country Radio Show, Real Country Legends and Cashbox Top 15. Mike Bradford of NBRN was instrumental in making my shows what they are today. It doesn’t get any better than this.’

We asked RB about the inspiration for the songs on his CD, ‘Second Time Around’, on the legendary Bullet Label. ‘Guiding Hand’ was written for my Dad,’ RB says quietly. ‘My parents were married for 68 years, and I just wanted to write something about my Dad for all that he has done for me, growing up from a baby to a man, as his only son, he was always there to lend a guiding hand.’ Other songs that tug at the heartstrings like ‘One At A Table For Two’, ‘Forgive Me’, ‘Find A Way To Say Goodbye’ all have the makings of great country songs, well-written, well-produced and most importantly – well-performed.

‘The Pain’ was a different writing experience for me’, RB says, ‘I have known so many people over the years with addictions. Drugs, booze, prescription addictions, you name it. I wanted to capture the feeling of the desperation and pain addicts go through. I wanted it to go out to all the ones that think they are suffering alone. To show compassion and hope. I hope I captured that in this song.’

But the song that is getting the most reaction is the one that is the most painful for RB. ‘Messages From Heaven’, sadly, is written about an extraordinary man, Paul A. Adams. ‘Paul was my brother-in-law and a wonderful brother to my wife Shari and husband to his wife Cindy and father to his three girls, Dawn, Tara and Paula. He fought a courageous battle with lymphoma, enduring multiple medical procedures and extensive hospital stays. During this time, the devotion and love I saw between Cindy and Paul was humbling to witness. He eventually succumbed to host graft disease, the result of the medical treatment used to battle his lymphoma. He was just the kind of guy that made you smile; made you feel good about yourself.” But Paul’s attitude and love for his wife didn’t end when he passed on. ‘Cindy kept getting signs; a pink sunset (Paul’s favorite color was pink) butterflies, signs of some sort, all the time remember Paul’s favorite expression ‘things happened for a reason’. That was the inspiration for ‘Messages From Heaven’. I was honored to perform it for Cindy for the first time at the legendary Nashville Palace. It was incredibly humbling on many levels.’ Paul’s legacy lives on with this song, as RB reached out the LLS (The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) and promised proceeds from the sale of the song to their fundraising efforts to stop these terrible diseases.

Cashbox asked RB what advice he would give up and coming artists. ‘Give as well as take, be humble, don’t get discouraged; the biggest names aren’t your biggest people. Don’t disregard the b-market, embrace your fans, work creatively to promote yourself. Now with social media outlets like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, there are so many ways to reach out to your audience. Just work hard at it. Be the best you can be’.
When asked what the future holds for RB Renegade his answer has that innocent and honest quality that is so engaging from this talented man. ‘I am going to keep writing songs. Would like to record another CD. Continue to do my radio shows, interview my country legends, maybe tour a little bit. But not for too long – I love being home with my family and friends. It has taken me a long time to be comfortable in my own skin, but I think I am there.’

That is good to hear, RB, because we are comfortable listening to you and your music.

For more information on RB Renegade visit:
www.rb-renegade.com
or listen to nbrn.fm