Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise
Encyclopedia
Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise is an American band. It formed in 1994 when former members of the band Second Self met a blind street performer by the name of Robert Bradley. Robert Bradley was born in Alabama, but gained musical experience and spirit by singing as a child at The Alabama School for the Blind. He had spent several years in Detroit by 1994, performing occasionally on the street busking, and playing on Saturdays in Detroit's Eastern Market
, when guitarist Michael Nehra, bassist Andrew Nehra, and drummer Jeff Fowlkes (formerly in the Detroit band SECOND SELF) overheard Bradley through an open window while rehearsing for a new project. After listening to Bradley sing for an hour, they invited him up to the studio to record several acoustic songs, then invited him to become their vocalist.
and Billy Zane
features six original new Robert Bradley songs, including Smart's grand finale dance number "You're My Lady." Film and soundtrack were released in May 2009.
about Lackawanna, NY 1956 at the dawn of integration. He performs on-screen, and has three songs featured on the soundtrack (including a duet with Macy Gray
).
. The result was marked as “an effective collaboration between a blind blues musician and a sympathetic Detroit rock trio.”
. Allmusic reviewer Mark Morgenstein praised Time to Discover as “the first modern blues classic of the new millennium.”
It also peaked at #38 on the Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart.
and was produced by Cherokee Studios
co-founder Bruce Robb (producer)
.
and Billy Zane
due in US theatres March 2009.
Eastern Market Historic District
Eastern Market is a historic commercial district in Detroit, Michigan. It is located approximately one mile northeast of the city's downtown and is bordered on the south by Gratiot Avenue, the north by Mack Avenue, the east by St. Aubin Street, and the west by the Chrysler Expressway...
, when guitarist Michael Nehra, bassist Andrew Nehra, and drummer Jeff Fowlkes (formerly in the Detroit band SECOND SELF) overheard Bradley through an open window while rehearsing for a new project. After listening to Bradley sing for an hour, they invited him up to the studio to record several acoustic songs, then invited him to become their vocalist.
Love N' Dancing (2009)
This romantic comedy starring Amy SmartAmy Smart
Amy Lysle Smart is an American television and film actress and former fashion model.-Early life:Smart was born in Topanga, California. Her mother, Judy Lysle , worked at a museum, and her father, John Boden Smart, was a salesman...
and Billy Zane
Billy Zane
William George "Billy" Zane, Jr. is an American actor, producer and director. He is probably best known for his roles as Caledon Hockley in Titanic, The Phantom from The Phantom, John Wheeler in Twin Peaks and Mr...
features six original new Robert Bradley songs, including Smart's grand finale dance number "You're My Lady." Film and soundtrack were released in May 2009.
Playing for Change (2006)
Robert Bradley appears as himself in this 2006 music documentary. The soundtrack was recorded live on the streets and in the subways of the three focus cities: Los Angeles, New Orleans and New York.Lackawanna Blues (2005)
Robert Bradley appears in this HBO movie starring S. Epatha Merkerson and Terrence HowardTerrence Howard
Terrence Dashon Howard is an American actor. Having his first major role in the 1995 film Mr. Holland's Opus, which subsequently led to a number of roles in films and high visibility among African American audiences. Howard broke into the mainstream with a succession of well-reviewed television...
about Lackawanna, NY 1956 at the dawn of integration. He performs on-screen, and has three songs featured on the soundtrack (including a duet with Macy Gray
Macy Gray
Macy Gray is a Grammy Award-winning American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress, famed for her distinctive raspy voice, and a singing style heavily influenced by Billie Holiday and Betty Davis.Gray has released five studio albums, with her fifth studio album, The Sellout,...
).
Blackwater Surprise (1996)
On September 17, 1996, RBBS released their 11 track debut on RCA RecordsRCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
. The result was marked as “an effective collaboration between a blind blues musician and a sympathetic Detroit rock trio.”
Time to Discover (2000)
In 2000, After the minor success of his 1996 debut RBBS released Time to Discover, an album featuring Guitarist Michael Nehra and bassist brother Andrew, and guest vocals by Kid RockKid Rock
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
. Allmusic reviewer Mark Morgenstein praised Time to Discover as “the first modern blues classic of the new millennium.”
New Ground (2002)
Even though it was seen by critics as one of the bands less successful efforts, it was noted as “earnest. . .exuding a hard-won optimism and working-man's head-down forbearance.”It also peaked at #38 on the Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart.
Still Lovin’ You (2003)
Still Lovin’ You was also released on Vanguard RecordsVanguard Records
Vanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary...
and was produced by Cherokee Studios
Cherokee Studios
Cherokee Studios was a recording facility in Hollywood, founded in 1972 and closed in August 2007 to make way for a new building, after 35 years of operation under the Cherokee name as a well-renowned studio...
co-founder Bruce Robb (producer)
Bruce Robb (producer)
Bruce Robb is an American musician, record producer, engineer, and music supervisor. He is most recognized for his active role in the formative years of the music industry: first as a member of “The Robbs” during the music revolution of the 1960s, then as a founder of Cherokee Studios in the...
.
What About That: New Year's Eve in Bloomington (2006)
A two-disc live album, it documents the singer's once-annual New Year's stops at The Bluebird nightclub in Bloomington, Indiana.Out of the Wilderness(2008)
Five years after their last studio record, Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise released Out of the Wilderness. The songs “Love You in the Daytime,” “Cryin’ My Eyes Out,” and “Everybody Wanna Party” are featured in the motion picture Love N’ Dancing starring Amy SmartAmy Smart
Amy Lysle Smart is an American television and film actress and former fashion model.-Early life:Smart was born in Topanga, California. Her mother, Judy Lysle , worked at a museum, and her father, John Boden Smart, was a salesman...
and Billy Zane
Billy Zane
William George "Billy" Zane, Jr. is an American actor, producer and director. He is probably best known for his roles as Caledon Hockley in Titanic, The Phantom from The Phantom, John Wheeler in Twin Peaks and Mr...
due in US theatres March 2009.
- Out of the Wilderness (Quarter 2 Three Records, 2008). Bruce Robb (producer)Bruce Robb (producer)Bruce Robb is an American musician, record producer, engineer, and music supervisor. He is most recognized for his active role in the formative years of the music industry: first as a member of “The Robbs” during the music revolution of the 1960s, then as a founder of Cherokee Studios in the...
Producer, Engineer, Mixer - What About That: New Year's Eve in Bloomington (Kufala, 2006)
- Relix Magazine Music Sampler July 2006 (Relix, 2006) [CD] [IMPORT] [COMPILATION] featuring "Once Upon a Time"
- Lackawanna Blues Soundtrack (HBO Films/VanguardVanguard RecordsVanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary...
, 2004) Produced by Bruce Robb, featuring Robert Bradley's "Dark Road," "Something Inside Me," & "Down on Me" - duet with Macy Gray - Still Lovin' You (VanguardVanguard RecordsVanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary...
, 2003) Bruce Robb (producer)Bruce Robb (producer)Bruce Robb is an American musician, record producer, engineer, and music supervisor. He is most recognized for his active role in the formative years of the music industry: first as a member of “The Robbs” during the music revolution of the 1960s, then as a founder of Cherokee Studios in the...
Producer, Engineer, Mixer - It'll Come to You - The Songs of John Hiatt (VanguardVanguard RecordsVanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary...
, 2003) Compilation featuring "It'll Come to You" - New Ground (VanguardVanguard RecordsVanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary...
, 2002) - Monitor This February/March 2002 (2002) Compilation featuring "Train"
- Wish You a Merry Christmas (2001) [LIMITED COLLECTOR'S EDITION] Rare 3 Track CD Single
- KFOG Live from the Archives 8 (KFOG, 2001) [LIVE] [LIMITED EDITION] Compilation featuring "Baby" recorded live in studio
- KBCO Studio C Volume 12 Compilation Live In KBCO (KBCO, 2000) Recorded at a Boulder, Colorado Radio Studio, featuring "Baby" recorded live
- Time to Discover (RCARCA RecordsRCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
, 2000) Produced by Michael and Andrew Nehra. Engineered and Mixed by Michael Nehra. - Live (RCA, 1999)
- Believing in Detroit: A Tribute to Vladdy and Sergei (JFW, 1998)[CD][LIMITED EDITION][COMPILATION] [ORIGINAL RECORDING] featuring "Shake It Off"
- Authorized Bootleg: Live(RCARCA RecordsRCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
, 1997) Limited Edition CD Featuring 4 Live Tracks - Authorized Live (Single) (1996)
- Blackwater Surprise (RCARCA RecordsRCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
, 1996) Produced by Michael and Andrew Nehra. Engineered and Mixed by Michael Nehra.
External links
- Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise Official Website
- [ Allmusic's Profile of RBBS]
- Bruce Robb (producer)
- Official RBBS Facebook Fanpage