Willie Nile w/ Kenny Roby
The New York Times called Buffalo, NY born Willie Nile “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.” Uncut Magazine called him “A one-man Clash” and “the unofficial poet laureate of New York City”. His album Streets Of New York was hailed as “a platter for the ages” by Uncut. Rolling Stone listed The Innocent Ones as one of the “Top Ten Best Under-The-Radar Albums of 2011” and BBC Radio called it “THE rock ‘n’ roll album of the year.” His single from that album, “One Guitar,” was the “Top Pick of the Week” in USA Today.
Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Lou Reed, Lucinda Williams, Jim Jarmusch, and Little Steven are among those who have sung his praises.
His album, American Ride, won “Best Rock Album of the Year” at the Independent Music Awards. It appeared on dozens of year-end Top Ten lists for 2013 and was voted “Album Of The Year” by Twangville Magazine. Bono called it, “One of the great guides to unraveling the mystery that is the troubled beauty of America.”
In November 2014 he released an album of piano-based songs, If I Was A River, to great critical acclaim.
MOJO wrote about his 2016 album World War Willie, “Four Stars! The real thing…stomp-‘til-ready rock’n’roll…timeless fare.” It won Album of the Year Reader’s Poll from Twangville Magazine and made numerous top ten lists for Album of the Year.
His album Positively Bob: Willie Nile Sings Bob Dylan from 2017 was hailed as “one of the best Dylan tribute albums ever made.” Powerpop Magazine wrote: “Astoundingly great…must be heard to be believed. If this doesn’t get your blood flowing, seek medical help.” And the Associated Press said his 2018 album Children Of Paradis, which also won Twangville’s Album of the Year Reader’s Poll, “Might be the best album of his career!”
Willie has toured across the U.S. with The Who and has sung with Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr. As the induction program from the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame says: “His live performances are legendary.” His 2020 album New York At Night got rave reviews, with The Associated Press calling it: “As sharp and guitar-driven as ever…the fire within Nile, once a peer of The Replacements and The Clash, continues to light a similar torch…anthemic…custom made for these times.” Downbeat Magazine calling it a “sonic love letter to Gotham.”
His recent studio album The Day The Earth Stood Still features a duet with Steve Earle on the song “Blood On Your Hands.” The London Times called him “A man who embodies the true spirit of rock n’ roll.” The New Yorker wrote that Willie Nile is “One of the most brilliant singer-songwriters of the past 30 years.”
In the fall of 2022 Willie released a single, “Wake Up America”, a duet with Steve Earle. It’s a call for the better angels of the country to stand up and be counted.
His live album “Willie Nile – Live At Daryl’s House Club” released in April 2024 was listed as one the “Best Rock Albums of the Year’ in Classic Rock Magazine. PowerPop magazine wrote: “A life-changer — recorded at a moment when Willie & Company happened to be the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world!”
Willie is currently working on a new studio album for a June 2025 release. He will be touring in Europe and in North America this year and lives in New York City.
ACCOLADES
“Better than most performers have to offer by far.” — Rolling Stone
ACCOLADES
“Better than most performers have to offer by far.” — Rolling Stone
“Clash/Social Distortion meets Pete Seeger…a true master songwriter!” – Hits
“Willie’s so good I can’t believe he’s not from New Jersey!” – Little Steven
“Crossing the power of the Clash with the social consciousness of Woody Guthrie…he’s stronger than ever!” – The Morton Report
“Willie Nile is a great artist. If there was any justice in this world, I’d be opening up for him instead of him for me.” Lucinda Williams
“The epitome of real, true American rock ’n’ roll!” – Pop Matters
“He’s a rocker’s rocker, protégé of the famous.” — USA Today
“A man who embodies the true spirit of rock n’ roll.” – London Times
“RIVETING!…Springsteen, Mellencamp, Van Morrison…Willie Nile has earned his standing in that esteemed company! – Blurt
KENNY ROBY
A songwriter’s songwriter, Kenny Roby has been called a master at his craft. On his latest self-titled album—Roby’s seventh solo release to date—he’s joined by bassist Jeff Hill (Steve Earle, Rufus Wainwright), drummer Tony Leone (Little Feat, Chris Robinson Brotherhood) and guitarist Daniel Littleton (Amy Helm, Michael Hurley). Tracked at Applehead Recording in Woodstock, NY, the core band is augmented with special guests, including the legendary Lovin’ Spoonful frontman John Sebastian on harmonica, Amy Helm and Dori Freeman on background vocals and former Bob Dylan keyboardist/accordion player Brian Mitchell. The resulting collection is full of depth and darkness, but most importantly hope. Its songs are inhabited by a cast of fully human characters and their timeless stories, while sonically the recording reflects Roby’s new home in upstate New York, touching on the spirit of previous artists who once roamed the the Catskill Mountains like The Band, Bobby Charles and Tim Hardin.
A songwriter’s songwriter, Kenny Roby has been called a master at his craft. On his latest self-titled album—Roby’s seventh solo release to date—he’s joined by bassist Jeff Hill (Steve Earle, Rufus Wainwright), drummer Tony Leone (Little Feat, Chris Robinson Brotherhood) and guitarist Daniel Littleton (Amy Helm, Michael Hurley). Tracked at Applehead Recording in Woodstock, NY, the core band is augmented with special guests, including the legendary Lovin’ Spoonful frontman John Sebastian on harmonica, Amy Helm and Dori Freeman on background vocals and former Bob Dylan keyboardist/accordion player Brian Mitchell. The resulting collection is full of depth and darkness, but most importantly hope. Its songs are inhabited by a cast of fully human characters and their timeless stories, while sonically the recording reflects Roby’s new home in upstate New York, touching on the spirit of previous artists who once roamed the the Catskill Mountains like The Band, Bobby Charles and Tim Hardin.
A native of the Carolinas, Kenny Roby was originally known for fronting 6 String Drag, pioneers in the Alt-Country and Americana music movements of the ’90s. The band was produced by roots music godfather Steve Earle and signed to his E-Squared Records. Since 6 String Drag’s breakup in 1998, Roby has released 6 solo records as well as a live duo record with Neal Casal. Casal was slated to produce Roby’s previous 2020 solo album ‘The Reservoir’ before he unexpectedly passed away in August 2019. Dave Schools of Widespread Panic then took over production duties. Roby would later record Casal’s “Too Much To Ask” on the 41 song box set tribute ‘Highway Butterfly: The Songs Of Neal Casal.’
Kenny Roby has been praised by numerous songwriting peers, including Michael Hurley, Citizen Cope, Justin Townes Earle and Ryan Adams. He’s garnered critical acclaim in Billboard, Rolling Stone, No Depression and Boston Globe, while having shared stages with a plethora of well-known artists in and out of the roots music community.
Press Quotes on Self-titled album (August 2022)
Kenny Roby’s been a fierce proponent of unassuming Americana for more than 25 years, beginning with his role with the much-acclaimed alt-country combo 6 String Drag, and continuing with a prolific solo career that now includes seven superb solo albums since 1999. Longtime admirers will welcome this latest addition to Roby’s resume, while newcomers should be happy to have finally discovered this steadfast troubadour, even if it’s belatedly. After all, Roby’s talents are timeless.
-American Songwriter (4 out of 5 stars)
“The fact that Kenny Roby waited until his seventh solo album to name one after himself indicates that after a long time searching, he has finally found himself. Although his path is different from anyone else’s, his calm and confident melodies and lyrics can serve to comfort those of us who are still seeking our own way”.
– Turnstyled Junkpiled Magazine
“After relocating to Woodstock, New York, Roby seems to have soaked up some of the spirits wafting around the area. Tim Hardin and Bob Dylan hang around spiritually in Roby’s work…(the new album) is a nice dip into the singer-songwriter’s musical gene pool, reflecting his inner demons and his outcasting methods.”
– No Depression
Press Quotes on Self-titled album (August 2022)
Kenny Roby’s been a fierce proponent of unassuming Americana for more than 25 years, beginning with his role with the much-acclaimed alt-country combo 6 String Drag, and continuing with a prolific solo career that now includes seven superb solo albums since 1999. Longtime admirers will welcome this latest addition to Roby’s resume, while newcomers should be happy to have finally discovered this steadfast troubadour, even if it’s belatedly. After all, Roby’s talents are timeless.
-American Songwriter (4 out of 5 stars)
“The fact that Kenny Roby waited until his seventh solo album to name one after himself indicates that after a long time searching, he has finally found himself. Although his path is different from anyone else’s, his calm and confident melodies and lyrics can serve to comfort those of us who are still seeking our own way”.
– Turnstyled Junkpiled Magazine
“After relocating to Woodstock, New York, Roby seems to have soaked up some of the spirits wafting around the area. Tim Hardin and Bob Dylan hang around spiritually in Roby’s work…(the new album) is a nice dip into the singer-songwriter’s musical gene pool, reflecting his inner demons and his outcasting methods.”
– No Depression
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