Simply Six: Robin Roberts

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer.  For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show,  to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later.  Is there  such  a defining moment for you?

For me....it began with Ricky Nelson way back in the days where he was featured and the end of "The Ozzie and Harriet Show" ........I would wait patiently every week hoping that he would be playing a song at the end of the show. I was just a little kid from a small Kansas town who fantasized about actually having a real guitar.....then it was Elvis...and then....THE BEATLES!!!!!!!!!!!!  As it turns out....... I've been playing and singing now most of my life...........

2 . When you’re not creating music what are you listening   to?  Who are some of your favorites?

Growing up in the 60's I was always hooked on Rock'n Roll from the Beatles, Rolling Stones and all the rest........  and became a Bob Dylan fanatic the first time I heard "Like a Rolling Stone"....in the 70's I was lucky enough to get turned on to the songwriting of Hank Williams senior.....and that totally threw me in a different direction........I've played the guitar most all of my life....but got struck by the banjo bug real bad after hearing a guy picking at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas a few years ago..... these days....... I still love and listen to all kinds of music...but listen to a lot of bluegrass like "The Stanley Brothers", Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Allison Krauss, Bill Monroe and all the rest.........  very good stuff.......

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

I've played a lot of gigs with the folksinger Billie Preston since 2008 and it seems the high-light of our year the last couple of years has been playing Stage 5 at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas....it's a great crowd ....and a real good feeling.......to be playing there......and have a lot of folks singing along......with our songs.... 

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

Yes, I believe music can change the world........   from Woody Guthrie singing "This Land is Your Land", to Crosby Stills and Nash singing "For What it's Worth", to John Lennon doing "Imagine".....and the beat goes on ...............

And yes, I believe music does influence current events by bringing a strong message to the masses...........whether it be about social injustice......... or the terrible costs of war........or the love felt in the spirit of Christmas

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Technology has changed the music industry forever.... in gigantic and unbelievable ways.....from the simple things like electronic tuners.....to digital recordings and photographs........to the internet and each of us having our websites.....and Facebook.....and the ability to get our music out to the whole world from right here in Wichita, Kansas...... ...it's a crazy big world out there..........and it's just a click away.........

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

That would be a pair of nicely worn black and white Converse, Chuck Taylor basketball shoes............:)