Altus, Arkansas -- Eating and drinking at Kelts, as the locals know, is like eating and drinking in your own living room. Couches in the center of the restaurant offer a cozy spot to await one of the ten available tables, sitting at the bar is like sitting at a slightly oversized and aged kitchen counter, the waiters (who memorize the menu) are also the owner and co-owners, Dan and Jan McMillan, which means the service is not only exceptionally friendly, but exceptionally attentive. Kelts may not be the perfect venue for local singer-songwriter Robb McCormick, but its close.
Both restaurant and singer have a down-home, laid back manner with a cosmopolitan twinge that makes the patron (or audience member) feel like the only person in the room.
McCormick, who simply goes by the moniker 'some guy named robb' (and strangely uses no capitalization in his name or title), feeds off audience reaction and adjusts his show to match, sprinkling a good mix of flirtations and self-depreciating humor with artful acoustic guitar.
At his December 22 show, he wooed a room full of mother and daughters taking a pre-Christmas break with his thoughtful, folksy ballads and quirky covers. While the crowd at Kelts is usually more diverse, the only men in the room were the bartender, Robb, and his sidekick Ben Smith.
His original music comes from the tradition of singer-songwriters like Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen. robb's dark, moody voice calls up associations with both artists, although his songs are more love ballad than post-modern manifesto.
'some guy named robb' started his set with songs off the irresponsible out-takes, his first release produced by his independent label, KRP Records. Songs like "crazy love affairs", "try", "wasn't it you?" and "i fashioned these wings for you" are melancholy laments that mix McCormick's gentle but cultivated guitar technique with Smith's adept drumming and keyboards.
But, this is no gentle duo even in a venue as intimate as Kelts, they offer a powerful, hard-driving long-running set that goes straight to the core of every song. Even their covers of artists like Pink Floyd strip away any excess artifice to reveal an emotional, heartfelt acoustic underbelly. It is precisely this honest, ardent style that makes Robb's stage presence such a welcome addition to a show like this he breaks your heart and makes you laugh at the same time.
McCormick, 25, is native of Russellville, an hour by interstate south of Altus. He has been playing full-time at coffee shops and bars up and down the Arkansas River Valley. While the irresponsible out-takes is sold only at shows and via the internet, his second album, the irresponsible years, is expected to debut in August of 2000.
"Everything Is Nothing" -- review by Amy Cotham 2004 -The Morning News
Some Guy Named Robb
Perhaps it is his regularly unplugged coffeehouse appearances that made me
mentally classify Some Guy Named Robb, aka Robb McCormick, as a folk artist.
But with the plugged-in intensity of McCormick 's new release, "Everything
Is Nothing," I won't forget he's all rock 'n' roll.
With moments of heavy guitar resonance and lyrical irony, "Everything Is
Nothing" is even a bit grungy at times. The CD also includes some jazzy
numbers and spoken word. Yet the heart of the music is still philosophically
folk, with McCormick offering thoughtfully poetic observations about his
world. "It's 1 o'clock in the morning, I know I'm not making any sense, it
feels like religion has hung me up to dry and I don't like the way you
kiss," he delivers in a rich, emotion-filled voice.
Though he openly questions religion, McCormick does not shy away from
spiritual themes in his songs. The concept for the title came, he reveals,
when he was reading Ecclesiastes and realized the things people struggled
with in biblical times are the same basic problems they have today. "It all
comes down to nothing unless (life) is for a purpose," McCormick says. His
own purpose, he told The Morning News/NWAonline.net earlier this year, is to
continue writing and performing songs he can be proud of.
With "Everything Is Nothing," he's certainly done that. Even with 15 songs
on the CD, each is lyrically and musically solid; McCormick has
intentionally avoided any filler. And though there are moments reminiscent
of early Beatles and, dare I say, Nirvana, the work is also refreshingly
original enough to stay in the CD player for some time without getting
boring.
McCormick recorded "Everything Is Nothing" in Conway at Glassplanet Studios
with musicians Kris Keylor, Phil Higdon, Josh Keylor, Brian Mitchell and Ben
Smith. For more information about McCormick, his music or where to buy
"Everything Is Nothing," visit www.someguynamedrobb.com.
Some Guy Named Robb Strikes a Chord
The Pale Sessions V1: Everything Matters is a genuine, acoustic retrospective of a man who's best work lies not only ahead of him, but behind him as he rediscovers his voice of old and translates it into new. The "bare bones" aspect of this album fits the songs perfectly. Stripped from potentially cluttering arrangements Robb allows them to breathe and stand on their own feet.
Everything Matters is a thought provoking album sculpted with pain and love. My favorite, the first song "Between These Strings", seems to be another antagonistic view on recurring fights in a relationship. But when listened to in it's entirety, one discovers it's a handbook to making a relationship truly work by allowing room for differences, though not indulgences.
"More Than Nothing" and "Photograph" are the breath-takers. "More Than Nothing" loosely follows three women through the worst moments of their lives to find where their choices have brought them. It is a lonely song in the middle of this brillant album, played beautifully and eloquently by Robb in a near-tears performance.
"Photograph" is the knife through the heart of the album. One can not help to come to tears when realizing the narrator is torn in two (literally) speaking to the innocent friend of his youth and the predator in her past. This song leaves you open-mouthed and wounded.
Other notable appearances are, as follows, "Romance is Dead." a strumming and catchy reworking of an uptempo song on Robb's first album, "The Irresponsible Years". "The Common Distance", though clearly apologetic in nature, this song revolves around two parabolic themes which are described simply and easily understood. The subcurrents of the song resound in the very straightforward, but unspoken words, "Think for yourself, God gave you a brain!"
"The Trip is Fantastic" is a co-write with Robb's long time friend and collaberator Alan Geibe. It's the shortest track on the album and a quirky song that weaves in and around the human heart.
While Robb seems to be known mainly for his busy touring schedule he clearly takes time to craft his songs into indelible works of art. Robb McCormick, or "some guy named robb" as he prefers, is a national treasure. The nation just doesn't know it... yet.
Jenna Washington - Freelance Writer - Currently Austin, Tx
Some Guy Named Robb - Humourist/Singer/Songwriter/Dreamer
For the longest time, everywhere I went I saw these posters for "some guy named robb". Oklahoma city, Tulsa, Memphis, Nashville, St. Louis, Shreveport, Little Rock. This guy gets around. Finally, I caught him at a Pub in Hot Springs playing for a room full of dizzy-but-happy people.
What do you get when you mix the voice of an old gospel-blues player with the voice of a soft-spoken, humoristic down to earth man? answer: some guy named robb. a.k.a. Robb McCormick. singer-songwriter-musician.
Robb has spent the last 6 years of his life on the road as a solo, duo, or band honing his skills and storytelling technique. What's unique about his live shows are that nothing is taboo for this man in between a song. He takes the most volatile of topics and slips casually into and out of it's tiniest nuances, generally without offending, and moreover, often giving enlightening musings.
His music is reminiscent of Rock 'n Roll the way it was intended. Summoning images of Wilco and the Wallflowers, with a dash of Sufjan Stevens or Ryan Adams, but with a palette as simple as piano and guitar. His gift is the ability to re-introduce songs to an audience whether their someone else's or his own. And at the same time taking you back and forth to a time when songs weren't solely based on their commercial value.
With a few thousand of his three solo cd's sold he has easily surpassed the average novice in this local music scene. Having those original recordings under his belt and an new acoustic album about to come out he's one of the busiest native musicians in Arkansas. He has been maintaining his regimented touring schedule as well as a busy home life. He and his wife, Jeri, of two years have just welcomed a recent addition into their family. Isaak McCormick was born in July of this year and is called "a huge blessing to our family" by Robb.
If you get the chance to see Robb in concert don't miss it. A talent like this only comes around so often. It'd be a shame to let it pass us by.
Bill Motley-San Antonio, TX December 4, 2005
Pre-release review of the Pale Sessions V1: Everything Matters
by Jenna Washington in January 2005
SOME GUY NAMED ROBB
More than just "Some Guy"...
This is a simple story of meeting a man who surprised me. I was in CJ's, a tiny, close quarters restaurant in Clarksville, Arkansas a town off Interstate 40 where I had stopped for dinner one Saturday night in October. A scruffy-looking man walks in with a guitar and microphone stand. and then comes in about eight more times with more equipment, completely filling the front side of the restaurant with equipment. He was someone you notice when he walked into the room but not for any particular reason. Maybe because he was smiling. He was dressed modestly, long sleeved plaid shirt over a tan T-shirt and blue jeans. His demeanor was quiet, but happy. His shaggy brown hair was pulled back into a loose pony-tail. strands were hanging down into his face.
As he began to set up his massive equipment for this one room restaurant, I admit I was trying to hurry my wife to finish her appetizer. I didn't want to be in here when he turned all that stuff on. My ears couldn't take it.
But we weren't eating fast food, we were eating good food so eventually he was all set up before the entrees had even arrived. He said "check" a couple of times quietly into the microphone and began strumming. To my surprise it wasn't an overwhelming volume, for all his equipment he actually had a pretty good level on the room. Audible, but not obtrusive. He began with a Bruce Springsteen song, "I'm on Fire" and he played it simply, powerfully and more important to me, quietly.
You see I should tell you. I'm a big fan of music but a bigger fan of music that I don't have to scream over. He'd started out on the right song to catch my attention. Not only did he do it justice, he did it different than Bruce, more reserved, more longing. In my opinion, this takes guts.
My wife and I sat there for the next hour amazed. He spoke seldom, though I see on his website it says he talks all the time in shows. Probably being an intimate setting he didn't want to overpower or intrude. Or maybe he just wanted to play music that night. Who knows?
His songs by other artists were fantastic! He played some that I had never heard before and occasionally would mention that they were his and available on a certain album. My wife and I spent $15 on his newest CD, The Pale Sessions, and put it in our car as soon as we left CJ's.
We loved the CD, but it really can't compare to his live show. Intimate, passionate, sometimes innocent, never arrogant. He seemed happy enough to play for the handful of people that CJ's could seat. This also has a moral and that's don't judge a book by it's cover. I thought he was going to play some kind of grungy, loud, distorted, screaming music. I had no idea what I was getting! Maybe I'm an old man with no idea of what's cool now or what's "in". But I can tell you that "some guy named robb" is more than just some guy. And I'll definitely be back to hear him again!
John Westenberg
Oxford, MS
October 2, 2005
Thursday, November 10, 2005
some guy named robb - the pale sessions v. 1 - everything matters
some guy named robb's latest release is his best yet. Robb McCormick, sgnr's front (and often only) man, pushes the envelope with his third album - it's definitely darker than his previous stuff, but more subtle and more raw, too. The album's first track, "Between These Strings," is for me the focal point of the album, a love song with some heartache behind it. Also, Robb includes some spoken word tracks, "Three Cheers" and "The Common Distance," which show he's not just a good musician, but a real poet as well. The final track is a reworking of one of his most-loved tunes, "Express Lane Love." Not just everybody can poke fun at themselves. Way to be, Robb.
You gotta love the success of old friends (especially when that success allows them to send you free CDs). For those of you in the greater Arkansas/Oklahoma area, Robb will be playing a live show near you someday - the man's a touring machine - and you really should see him. some guy named robb's a hell of a live show. Those of you reading in other parts of the country should buy his albums at www.someguynamedrobb.com so he'll make a lot of money, get famous, and then tour the whole country and not just a little corner of the South. It'll be worth it, and if you tell him I sent you, maybe someday he'll finally record the song he wrote for me back in the late '90s.
I love robb!!!!!! I love his emotion, his viberant, clever and expressive
lyrics, his presence, his heart filled voice, his shining soul and his
unique blessed sound!!!!!!!! I can get lost in his music. Robb is, in my
opinion the best songwriter around. I find myself saying, "Man, why didn't I
think to put those exact thoughts into such brilliant words." Ofcourse then
that is his gift and not mine or anyone elses. Robb is a very gifted musical
man. The good Lord has blessed him and anyone who listens will know it.
Some of my greatest experiences on stage are while singing with Robb. I
enjoy every moment. Sometimes it's like all he has to do is be there and his
very light brings vision into the music. He is to me a prime example of
God's purpose in our small community of live music. I know I have a purpose
here. I have traveled all over this country trying to find where I belong in
music, sang with so many different artists and learned humility, strength,
love, selflessness, (and still learning).........when all along everything
was right here, singing for friends,family, and those passing through,weary
travelers. Robb has had that one figured out from the beginning. He has been
right here for all you guys through it all. Entertaining you, loving you,
befriending you, guiding you, and I'm sure many of you can add to that list.
He sang my husband and I down the ilse. Robb and his music are very special
to me........ and my family. He is the only person I know that makes a
living doing what he loves, by putting his faith in the Lord and knowing
this is what he was meant to do, while not selling out. Brothers and sisters
we have a priceless rarety here in our grasp. He and his music are a
gift....
Rachel Fields
01/16/06
A Walking Contradiction - Some Guy Named Robb
What the heck is some guy named robb? Here's what I've found by attending a few different shows over a few different years. This story begins with me in college and ends with me as a grown up with kids. So I've had some time to think about this review.
some guy named robb is a singer.
some guy named robb is a folksinger.
some guy named robb is a songwriter.
some guy named robb is a nice guy.
some guy named robb is a killer musician.
some guy named robb is a rock and roller.
some guy named robb is a poet.
some guy named robb is a Christian man who plays in bars & pubs & churches & colleges & coffee shops..
some guy named robb is a walking contradiction,
between what he is and what you think he is.
some guy named robb is a mystery to the music world.
one day he's musically jazz. one day he's musically hip hop. one minute he's musically sincere. one minute he's musically hilarious. he is a walking contradiction. one minute he is living it up. the next minute down on his knees in a reverent prayer song. that's just robb.
He is a rarity in the music business. I hope you enjoy him as much as I have over the years. I feel like we've almost grown up together. We both have kids now, and wives and houses and mortgages. But man, he does what he loves and on that he's got me beat. I think we all create in some way or another, but his records make me feel inspired to do a little creating too. and isn't that what we're supposed to do down here? Inspire one another to do and feel great things to the Glory of God? I think so. Thanks for listening to me and Robb if you read this. Thanks!
Dean Steward - Summer 07
Some Guy Named Robb attracts a wide demographic as his following on the Arkansas music scene. Whether performing alone or with his back up band (The Irresponsibles), he welcomes all with a laugh and a smile. Where Robb sings, people gather. Robb's generous smile accompanies every song he sings. His singing range is broad: He can belt songs out on a Broadway stage; he can lead the sing-a-long at camp. Couple this with his exceptional ability with the guitar, and Robb delivers a performance that's second to none.
Because of his first rate charisma, Robb is often called on to be both an emcee and a featured performer for charity events and music festivals. Plus, during the holiday seasons, you can find him performing Christmas classics in local restaurants and nightclubs to the delight and joy of the patrons.
An eclectic performer, Robb mixes rock, folky funky expressions, and the vocal strength of torch song singers to make his own unique recipe of sound-a bit of performers like Paul Simon, Ani Difranco, Burt Bacharach, (ok, not really Burt) Johnny Cash and the thoughtfulness of a young Leonard Cohen and a dash of groups like the Wallflowers, The Smothers Brothers, and Van Morrison while still managing to have room for more than a sprinkle of his own special ingredient.
Robb is the real thing.
Robb performs solo or with a band. His solo shows are intimate performances of covers and originals, tuned to delicately tickle and tug at the listener's heart's ear. With sounds ranging from old prairie folksongs to science fiction soul, Robb's music entertains listeners of all ages. delivers uptempo, soulful rock, designed to get the party grooving.
Both restaurant and singer have a down-home, laid back manner with a cosmopolitan twinge that makes the patron (or audience member) feel like the only person in the room. 
