Robbie
was no stranger to blues. As a kid he was introduced to the blues
when his Dad brought some old records home from the neighborhood
tavern. "Those 78's were as thick as pancakes", says
Laws, "and blank on one side. We had this mud hill across
from our house, and I remember Dad and his buddies sitting out
on our front porch flinging them into the mud". Robbie rescued
most of these albums and gave them a listen on the family's record
player. The music pouring forth transported Robbie to other realms.
"There was this insane barrel-house piano stuff going on.
I remember sitting at the coffee table as a kid, imagining myself
there, putting myself into that. I'd listen to that record, you
know, and get so into it. Suddenly I look up, and there's my
Dad staring at me, going, 'What in the hell do you think you're
doing?'" Robbie laughs at the fond memories he has of those
days.
The
most significant event in his life marking the transition from
rock to blues happened on one fortunate occasion where Robbie
found himself rooming in the same motel as the late great blues
master, Albert Collins. It was during a change of residences
that Robbie needed a place to stay. He couldn't believe his eyes
when he saw Albert and his wife Gwendolyn standing at the counter.
Robbie struck up a conversation with Albert and they ended up
hanging out together for a couple of weeks, playing cards and
drinking. They swapped guitar licks and stories. Collins was
so impressed by Robbie's enthusiasm that he took the time to
teach Robbie the "ins and outs" of his distinctive
guitar technique. He also acknowledged Laws as a kindred spirit.
Robbie
comments: "He was fantastic. I learned a great deal from
him. He was a man of great love and great soul. He said I had
what it takes, and I've worked since then to live up to that".
Shortly after that Robbie joined Delta Haze, a Portland-based
band, where he wrote and recorded several original blues and
rhythm and blues tunes. In 1992, as that band began to dissolve,
Robbie joined The Margo Tufo Band, which took him on a tour over
to England. He was an instant "hit" with his impressive
stage presence, likable personality and terrifying chops.
Robbie's
friends and fans encouraged him to form his own band. In late
1993, Robbie Laws and the Urban All Stars was born. It was with
this band that Robbie recorded his first CD "Midnight Rain"
under his own label "Midnight Rain Productions". The
CD gained international airplay and at home the band was building
a large and devoted following. He began touring the United States
and Canada in 1996, thrilling fans wherever he played. Some of
the band members changed periodically, but Robbie always maintained
the high quality of his music to meet his rigid standards.
He
has continued to win awards throughout his career. From the Cascade
Blues Association in Portland, which is one of the largest and
most prestigious blues organizations in North America, Robbie
has won numerous awards.
After touring his
most recent release ("Takin' The Night Train"), Robbie
continues to garner respect from the music industry at all levels.
Today, Robbie Laws is on the threshold of crossing that hurdle
into the "big leagues". He is only just beginning to
reap the rewards he has worked so hard for. His aspirations are
met through touring, whereby he is able to do the things he loves
most. Traveling, meeting people, and finding new experiences
inspire his creativity, spiritually, emotionally and intellectually,
and motivate him to continue to evolve at all levels of his being.
He hopes to always be able to explore, learn and grow so that
he can bring back to the world what he has learned in the form
of music.