![]() Even though he’s been performing since the age of 5, Robbie Davis did not jump into music as a career early on. He grew up on a horse ranch in Florida and became a trained EMT, ocean lifeguard, fireman, Florida Everglades guide, and airboat captain - all of which came to an end when a hit-and-run accident left him unable to perform those duties. During his rehabilitation, Robbie visited Nashville and realized he had an opportunity to pursue music and grabbed it with both hands. Not long after relocating to Nashville (where he played at the Bluebird), Davis moved to LA where he currently resides, writing and performing music including his latest Memoirs of A Wayward Man. Recently Davis took the time to talk about the significance of the album's title, the stories behind the songs, the Opry, Stapleton, and more. Did you have a musical mentor and how did they influence you? That’s a great question. My musical mentors are my mother, Ruth Anne Davis, and also my late uncle, Ronnie Davis. My mom is a classically trained musician and performer , She is honestly, the most incredible piano player you will ever hear. I grew up on a horse ranch in Plantation, Florida... “The Rockin’ D.” It was aptly named because there was always music being played. Some of my earliest memories as a child were laying in my cowboy themed room late at night and smiling ear to ear listening to my mother play the piano. I remember her playing thundering, roof raising versions of “how great thou art” and medleys of Jerry Lee Lewis And Elvis songs. Her playing filled our home with music and it permeated my soul. My dad always said that the only thing he could play was the radio But he was always playing Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Elvis and many more of the greats. Family reunions included my uncle Ron (who bought me my first guitar at age 7) playing guitar, my older brother Jeff playing the trumpet, my younger sister Julie playing her violin and everyone singing along to whatever song we chose to sing. Those early days as a kid influenced me in such a deep way that it made music just as much a necessity as good biscuits and gravy. It was nourishment for the soul! What’s the story behind the album title? That’s very loaded question for me. Where I am now in my life is a million miles away from where I thought I would end up as a younger man. I think there are two things that you have to understand about this album title. The first thing you have to understand is WHAT the definition of the word “wayward” is. “Difficult to control or predict, disobedient, rebellious, wild…” These are all words that describe one chapter of my life. The chapters before and the chapters after would have much different descriptive words but for that particular chapter I chose “wayward.“ The second thing that you have to understand is WHY. WHY I was “Wayward” is a much more complicated story but to sum it up in a few words would sound something like this… I had it all figured out. I knew what I was going to do with my life and I knew how and where I was going to do it. I knew what it would take to get there and I had worked very hard to accomplish it. I was on a path to a successful career as a Marine officer and a firefighter it was all I ever wanted to do and I was good at it Then in one life changing moment I was hit by a car intentionally while I was on duty rendering me a career ending injury that ended all of it and pretty much set me adrift, I became what some may refer to as a “wayward man” and it took many years for me to heal physically, mentally and spiritually. The only thing that survived the tragedy was my love of music. The songs on this album have been with me throughout the process and I am elated to share them with the you now as I stand on the opposite side of the “wayward “ abyss gazing back at what I once thought would always be my reality. And I’ve gotta tell you it makes me smile… Because I’ve come so far ! ![]() Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? Whether its an upbeat song or a ballad, I’m usually drawing on personal experience. This EP is all about personal experience. Since it was only four songs I took the time to explain the inspiration for each one. "Gravel Road" - Everyone comes to a place in life where they are forced to look around and see where their choices have led them. For some, the road is bumpier than others but in the end all of our paths lead to one place. Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction but small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life… And only a few will find it. "The Mexico Song" - Coming from a man who is no stranger to heartache, if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that once you have found love, a real love, it’s worth doing everything within your power to hold onto that love with all of your might. Even if it means a romantic trip to Mexico. Plus, every country artist needs a good Mexico song. "Lita-O" - There are few memories from my childhood that I cherish more than the time I spent fishing with my Papaw on his boat the “Lita-O.” Being one of the earlier songs I wrote, I was able to sing all but the last verse to him before he passed away. Though his full impact on my Life could never be captured in a single song, here is my small tribute to a great man...Roger Davis. I love you Pap. "Free Rider" - If you’ve never experienced a road trip on a Harley Davidson with a bunch of Vietnam veterans then you haven’t lived enough life. For me, the experience was freeing and life-changing. While observing the lifestyle of the riders around me and submersing myself into the ways of the road, I took off down Alligator Alley and had no choice but to start writing because this song was coming to life moment by moment. What is your dream venue and why? I would love to play the Grand Ole Opry. The Opry has such an amazing, deep, rich history and all of my heroes have performed there. Being able to be a part of that history would be an absolute dream come true! What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? I have wrangled at a horse ranch for a living but now I mostly just ride horses for recreation and living in California there’s nothing like getting on a horse and taking a ride through the Santa Monica mountain range to clear your head. And the views are just fantastic! Have you met any of your heroes? I lived in Nashville, Tennessee for 10 years and I worked at the famous Bluebird Café so I was fortunate to listen to and meet so many of my songwriting and country music heroes guys like Rodney Crowell, Cowboy Jack Clement, and Don Schlitz the list goes on and on but the one that really stands out was I worked on one of those time life book commercials and it was featuring Glenn Campbell and I got to spend the day with Glenn and talk with him, that was a real treat something I’ll never forget! Who would you like to collaborate with? I would just love to collaborate with Chris Stapleton. His music is the closest thing, in my opinion, to real heart and soul country music that is making it mainstream. And while I’m dreaming big Alan Jackson and Willie Nelson would also be a absolute dream come true. I’m a life long fan of both of those guys and their musical influences run deep in me! ReverbNation/Facebook
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3/21/2018 11:39:57 am
Robbie Rocks! I’m fortunate enough to have known Robbie for a long time. He’s not only a great artist, he’s a great friend and human being. Going back to those lifegaurding days, a couple of years after his injury, I believed in his music so much that I found local bars for him to play at. Of course I’m biased, but I can tel you this, the owners of those bars couldn’t have been happier to have Robbie play. He packed the place, every time!
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