Robison will feel at home in Plaza Theatre
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

AUSTIN - Texas singersongwriter Bruce Robison will feel right at home when he plays at the Plaza Theatre next Saturday night

He performed with his brother Charlie before a sold out audience here five years ago.

"We had a great time when we played there before," said Robison in a phone interview on Friday.

"It's best for my stuff. I love places like that, there's not enough of them.

The show starts at 8 p.m.

Robison, who played in New York City Friday night, is happy with how things are going in his career.

"Things are going real good and I'm working on a new record," said Robison.

"But it won't be released until September. We're getting out on the road a little bit. I'm sort of in the middle of it right now."

Robison formed his own record label - Preview - last year and released a seven track CD called "It Came From San Antonio."

Two of Robison's songs were recorded by George Strait. "Wrapped" and "Desperately" were big hits.

"I'll definitely play the songs that have been hits for other people," said Robison

Another hit was "Traveling Soldier, which was recorded by the Dixie Chicks.

"I'll be doing a couple of new songs as well," said Robison.

As a songwriter, he hopes to get more songs cut by other big name artists this year.

"I didn't get one cut on George's recent album and that was disappointing," said Robison

"I love my job and writing songs and trying to get other people to do them. It's always a lot of fun and a big struggle to get it out to the right person."

"Making my records and playing shows is just that fun. There's not that much to think about so I just try to go out there and put on a good show and being with the people that come out."

Robison shares his career with his wife Kelly Willis who is a singer-songwriter in her own right

In addition to the music, they are busy with raising their four children

"All of that is fantastic and usually on a weekend either Kelly or me are working," said Robison. "We watch the kids during the week and then one of us goes off to work on the weekend. That's just kind of how life is for us.

"It's always hard to be gone. But I'm not sure if we're not home more than most people are who work a 40-hour week."

When Robison played a concert at Steamboat Springs in Colorado last week, he took one of the kids with him for the experience.

"We've had a chance to start incorporating them in our lives a little bit more, said Robison.

"The oldest is seven, the twins are four and the youngest is two. So for the last two years we haven't worked on balancing careers, we just been raising kids

Since forming his recording company last year, Robison has yet to sign another performer to the label.

"Everyone has a record label these days," said Robison. "Everybody is trying out how to put music out. It used to be really hard to make a record and hardly anyone did. Now there's tens of thousands CD that come out on independent labels."

"Like a lot of people, I'm sort of waiting the industry to shake out here," said Robison. "I'm not really sure where this one is going to come down to. The music business is really up in the air and pretty crazy."

"There are so many records out and it's really hard for labels and people to make money," said Robison.

"It's crazy time and like the 50's over again."

Robison's previous CDs "Eleven Stories," "Country Sunshine, "Long Way From Home Anywhere," "Wrapped" and a self-titled one were on Indy labels.

He also released a Christmas album "Happy Holiday" with wife Kelly.

Some of Robison's known songs include "Angry All The Time," "12 Bar Blues," "Rayne, Louisiana," "My Brother And Me," "I Dream Too," "See You Around," "The Good Live,' "Red Letter Day" and "Bandera Waltz."

While Robison gets little play on regular radio stations, fans can hear his music on XM Radio and Sirius.

"There are a lot of alternative outlets that I think that people use for filters these days," said Robison.

"A lot of folks are like me and don't have a lot of time to sort through thousand and thousands of songs. I'm glad to be part of some of that.

"The way I'm trying to approach it is that I try not two worry about that stuff too much. It really does take you away from just simply writing it and making it.

"I'm not going to worry about selling any music anymore."

Robison will be joined on stage by George Reiff on bass and drummer Pat Manske.

"This small trio setting is the best for my stuff because we can do the songs in a fateful session."

Advance tickets are priced at $20 are still on sale. Only 200 tickets are available and they may be purchased at the Plaza Box Office, 212B North Richmond Road, by calling 979- 282-2970 or logging on at www. whartonplazatheatre.org.