Like Him or Not, Bob Wayne Has Arrived
I bet when you saw Bob Wayne‘s name in the title of this article, you had some sort of immediate emotional reaction, didn’t you? You either thought, “That foul mouthed punk, I can’t even stand to see his ugly face,” and you blame him for perpetuating a perversion of country music. Or, you saw his name and said “Hell yeah,” remembering the last time you saw him live and how he rocked your face off, or how how one of his deeper, heartfelt songs helped you through a hard time.
Like him or not, Bob Wayne has arrived. One way you can tell this is by the polarization that precedes his name (just check out the comments on his last album review). In music, it’s always better that people have an opinion about you than to be ambivalent or unbeknown to your existence. Usually where there’s sharp, contrasting opinions, there’s success. Take Shooter Jennings and Hank Williams III for example. You won’t find two more polarizing, or more successful figures in underground/independent country music. But unlike Hank3 and Shooter, Bob Wayne has not had help from his given name, nor the burden of unrealistic expectations being a famous namesake can bestow.
Instead his success is a symptom of relentless touring in America and Europe; a tour schedule whose tireless nature rivals any other in music today. And one thing Bob Wayne has that country’s famous sons don’t is fantastic label support. Century Media may be way better known for metal music, but they fit in that sweet spot for present day labels: big enough to be considered a “major” with an expansive network and Rolodex, but small enough to be considered an “independent” with the ability to offer strong, healthy, catered support to each of their artists.
Though the crowds for Bob Wayne are certainly growing domestically, Europe is where he’s made his strongest foothold, like many independent country and roots artists that made the jump from amateur to professional before him. In certain Euro stops, Bob Wayne is pulling 800 capacity crowds in, just to see him, not as a support act. This is likely one of the reasons Century Media decided to put out his last album Till The Wheels Fall Off on their European imprint People Like You, an unusual move for an artist based in the States. Bob has also bought a van and a complete set of backline instruments for his band that he permanently stores in Europe to facilitate his frequent overseas tours and save on expenses.
Instead of worrying about pulling a profit or working some master plan, Bob Wayne simply put his head down and booked his own breakneck tours for years, figuring out how to include European stints in them when he could. He would work construction jobs in his home state of Oregon to get the money to buy European plane tickets for him and the band, tour the country from West to east, fly out to Europe, and then start the whole cycle over again. All of that touring led to a tight live show and a professional attitude on stage from Bob and his talent-packed “Outlaw Carnies”.
Over the years, the Outlaw Carnies have become a proving ground for underground country talent. With a loose arrangement, players are allowed to come and go as they please, but they all must provide stellar musicianship to keep up with Bob and the band’s budding legacy. Joe Buck, Andy Gibson, Donnie Herron, and Dan Infecto are just a few of the names that have contributed to Bob either live or recorded in the past, and then continued on to make bigger names for themselves. The dating duo of fiddler Liz Sloan and bassist Jared McGovern cut their teeth as Carnies, and now play with Jayke Orvis and Filthy Still among others. The entire .357 String Band once did a stint as Bob’s backing band.
The newest edition is Lucy B. Cochran on fiddle. At first glimpse you might mistake her for Liz Sloan who she replaced, but the two female fiddles have very different styles. Lucy goes to the bluegrass shuffle like few fiddlers I’ve seen, and adds a more countrified element to the Carnies. The current Carnies also feature “Elmer” on standup bass, and Ryan Clackner who can serve up some of the hottest leads licks on Telecaster that you can find. Bob’s current lineup is as sharp as any you will find in underground country, and so is Bob’s show…that is of course if Bob Wayne is your thing. If it’s not, then he could resurrect Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys to back him up and it still wouldn’t be enough.
It’s the swear-filled lyrics and racy themes in many of his songs that will always keep Bob at odds with many country faithful, and understandably so. They will also unfortunately keep those same people from enjoying many of his deeper songs that don’t feature racy topics or bad language.
The cold, hard fact is many favorite underground country bands may never be able to make the leap from being amateur, underpaid musicians, to professionals making a reasonable, living wage, despite the quality of their music or their desire or ability. But Bob Wayne has, and with continued label support, creative freedom, a stellar backing band, and a bottomless pit of energy and enthusiasm for touring, he also seems to have plenty of upside potential.
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Bob Wayne is playing the Muddy Roots Festival on Friday 8/31 at 11 PM on Stage 2.
August 28, 2012 @ 3:32 pm
I love Bob Wayne.
February 6, 2025 @ 9:31 pm
Bob Wayne is now and always will be a class act from his writing skills to the way that he sings a true legend and a fine gentleman at that to see him live is to see something unbelievable cuz he gives it it is all thank you Bob for all that you do.
August 28, 2012 @ 3:32 pm
Count me among those that love Bob Wayne and everything that he does. He is a true “outlaw” in today’s country music….perhaps one of the few. I can’t wait for the 3 punch combo of Bob Wayne, Legendary Shack Shakers and Jayke Orvis Friday night at Muddy Roots.
I’ll be the guy in the Metal Blade shirt up front and center.
August 28, 2012 @ 3:56 pm
“I bet when you saw Bob Wayne”˜s name in the title of this article, you had some sort of immediate emotional reaction, didn”™t you? You either thought, “That foul mouthed punk, I can”™t even stand to see his ugly face,” and you blame him for perpetuating a perversion of country music.”
I thought: Here comes a really interesting comment section to read.
August 28, 2012 @ 4:00 pm
I too think Bob Wayne is the uppermost of the toppermost. A fantastic songwriter, top notch musician, and all-around good guy to his fans.
Seeing him write “Get There When I Get There” at Muddy Roots last year was a big highlight. Here’s a youtube of it with a bunch of pictures from the festival last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2tsiUYGUg&feature=share&list=UUYyW52eijgGKZI4_5ps3X9A
August 28, 2012 @ 4:12 pm
The thing that excites me about this article is the fact that this website and its viewers has followed Bob Wayne from day one. I remember being turned on to Bob Wayne by Triggerman years ago. I bought his CDs that were “made in his trailer” and had his personal artwork drawn on the front with a Sharpie. I’ve seen Bob Wayne live, being one out of 20 people in the audience; and the majority of the audience was probably there by chance.
This is what makes Saving Country Music important. Without this website, we would not have the promotion of no name artists that deserve attention. Badass article Triggerman; and badass website. Two guns way WAY UP!
August 28, 2012 @ 4:20 pm
I saw him open for Hank III before I even knew of this website. I bought his first album off his website. I payed and then I never got it. So I sent him a message on myspace and he mailed me a copy without even blinking an eye. I know it sounds small, but that just made me even more of a fan.
August 28, 2012 @ 4:51 pm
Bob Wayne FUCK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!
August 28, 2012 @ 5:07 pm
I first saw Bob Wayne opening for Hank III at a sweaty firetrap in Pittsburgh, about 2003. It was just Bob and his guitar. Great show. I’ve been a big fan ever since…
August 28, 2012 @ 5:20 pm
He’s about as fake as Jason Aldean.
August 28, 2012 @ 6:06 pm
Amen! But to each his own, I suppose. I thinks it’s just more of that tired-ass Hank III shtick…He’s a pussy and if he couldn’t say ‘Fuck the pigs’ and stupid shit like that, no one would give a damn.
August 28, 2012 @ 7:04 pm
Care to display how Bob Wayne is as fake as Jason Aldean? I am sure you can site precedent to back this allegation up, right?
August 28, 2012 @ 7:14 pm
Would also like to know what makes him a pussy
August 28, 2012 @ 7:49 pm
Buy him a shot at a show, pass him a joint or a line… You’ll see how fake and how much of a pussy he is. I guess “Outlaw” has come to mean singing about a bunch of shit you don’t do and acting like you are a badass…
August 28, 2012 @ 8:12 pm
With all due respect Brett, if you don’t like his music, that’s fine, and as I said in the article, I can’t argue with anyone who feels Bob Wayne is not their speed, and for multiple reasons. In fact if you didn’t notice, I didn’t say anything about his music or how good or bad I think it is. But if the way someone has to prove to you they’re not a pussy is to use drugs, then you’re not worth proving anything to.
Bob Wayne proves he’s not a pussy by putting his ass out on stage every night, by packing up a car full of gear and players and driving across the country. And I honestly think it is the sincerest form of bravery when a man who has an admitted problem with abuse cuts out every part of that world cold turkey and never looks back. What do you think is harder Brett, taking every thing put under your nose to prove what an Outlaw you are, or saying no every time, when you live in a music world where drugs are everywhere and everyone is judging you if you don’t partake?
Some people have addictive personalities, some don’t. And for most, it’s somewhere in the middle. But I’ve always felt some of the most bravest souls in our society are the folks who are perfect 10 on the addict scale, and battle that demon every single day of their life.
Go ahead and call Bob a hypocrite for singing it but not living it if you want. But to fault a man for taking a hardline stand against an admitted problem he has is a pretty low fucking blow.
August 28, 2012 @ 8:28 pm
Trig,
I understand if he’s had a problem…What I don’t understand is that you don’t hold everyone to the same standard. I feel like there’s not much difference between someone on CMT calling themselves an “Outlaw” for show and him doing it. If I had made that comment about Eric Church (and if Eric Church sang songs about doing drugs and running from cops) you’d be all about it. I guess the difference is you like his music…
My comment may be out of line, but I don’t think it’s a ‘low-blow.’ I’m just all about GENUINE people. I don’t think being an “Outlaw” Country artist has anything to do with drugs and that nonsense. I think you are “Outlaw” if you adhere to the tradition of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Paycheck, Merle Haggard, etc..
Bob, Hank III, their fans and that “scene” have defined “Outlaw” as this badass, drug-addled, ‘fuck-the-police’ image. I guess my point is that he doesn’t actually qualify under either definition.
August 28, 2012 @ 8:46 pm
” I guess my point is that he doesn”™t actually qualify under either definition. “
Seen now, that’s a fair, legitimate beef someone can have with Bob Wayne. Do I agree with it? I’m not sure, I’m kind of on the fence. Yes he sings about behaviors he doesn’t actually partake in, but he used to do those things, and that’s where many of his stories come from. He did run from the cops, he is a felon, he did sneak over the border to Canada. But as I said in the below article, Johnny Cash never shot a man in Reno just to watch him die:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/singing-what-you-live-hard-language-in-country-music
And you can’t compare him to Eric Church or folks on CMT, because Bob Wayne is not on CMT or selling out arenas like Eric. And for the record, I like some of Eric Church’s songs, to the chagrin of many. I think his latest single “Creepin'” is cool, and so is “Homeboy”. It’s Church’s attitude and some of his other songs that turn me off.
August 28, 2012 @ 9:01 pm
Why do you have to sell out arenas to be a hypocrite? I guess my problem is that the hype is less about the music with Bob. Maybe that is not his fault; I mean, as you said, you’re article wasn’t even about his music. And Johnny Cash may have said, “I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die,” but I don’t think Johnny made being an Outlaw his “shtick” in the same way the Hank III tag-a-longs have…
August 28, 2012 @ 9:38 pm
I think you’re making some fair points Brett. My only point was to leave his sobriety out of it. And the point of the article was to point out that Bob Wayne, “like it or not” has risen above the din of Hank3 doppelgangers that I think we both agree are a nuisance.
August 29, 2012 @ 4:10 pm
People go ape shit when Jason Aldean or that “Outlaws like Me” guy claim to be ‘outlaw.’ Hell, I do too. So, why don’t people get mad when Wayne states that he is an outlaw? He brags about how ‘low down’ and ‘trash’ he is. Brantley Gilbert does the same, no? He’s a Hank 3 wannabe.
August 28, 2012 @ 6:17 pm
I gotta say I’m not a fan but I never really gave him a shot either. Just a superficial listen. BUT I am defiantly checking him out this weekend!
Someone mentioned some deeper cuts earlier where it’s less “racy”, can I get some examples? Maybe some of the better live songs?
August 28, 2012 @ 6:28 pm
Check out some of his earlier albums, esp. “Blood to Dust” and “Driven By Demons”. Check out the songs “Blood to Dust”, “27 Years”, “Final Walk”, “Long Way Down”. I’d start there.
August 28, 2012 @ 8:24 pm
I liked 27 years. And a few other randoms I heard while you tubing. I never was a story-teller kinda guy but he keeps it edgy enough to hold interest. He’s ok w/ me, I’ll be in the crowd this weekend for sure
August 28, 2012 @ 9:30 pm
Outlaw? Not an outlaw? good god.
Brett, you ever spent a minute with Bob Wayne? How bout Hank III? When the term outlaw country was coined, it wasn’t about Willie’s weed, it wasn’t about Waylon’s cocaine addiction, Johnny’s pills and speed. It was coined because Willie and Waylon finally went OUTside the norm of making country music, they did it and made music their own way. Hence, OUTLAW…..
Bob Wayne & Hank III make music their own way. They both have busted their ass for years, doing things their way. Bob Wayne is the most down to earth person, Shelton is the same. Just because you don’t like their lyrics, topics that they sing about, They are outlaws.
August 28, 2012 @ 10:09 pm
“Punchdrunk”
To your questions, Yes and Yes. And I completely understand the origin of the term “Outlaw Country.” That was my point. I tend to get upset when I see people capitalizing on image instead of their music standing on its own. Waylon, Willie, Johnny Paycheck…have ZERO in common with what I see at a Bob Wayne show.. I will stand by that statement forever. If you sell yourself explicitly as “Outlaw Country” and you aren’t in fact an “Outlaw Country” band, then I have a problem… Maybe it seems like semantics to you, but to me, using a term that Waylon and the boys invented to sell music that in no way resembles the vibe those guys had, well…that’s bullshit. I spend most of my life these days waving that Waylon/Paycheck flag, so forgive me if I feel the need to defend it.
A lot of people are out there “[busting] their asses for years.” But when it comes down to it, there’s what you say you are and there’s the show you put on in front of the crowd…
The term “Outlaw Country” is in vogue now…
To me, it reckons back to the late 70’s and “that sound,” it’s not so much that Waylon did it his way, but HOW waylon did it..the sound he had…the energy that Johnny’s Honky-Tonk band had… if you don’t bring that to the stage, you shouldn’t invoke those names…So, PunchDrunk, maybe you can imagine the disappointment someone such as myself feels when he here’s of an “Outlaw Country” band and they sound like Charlie Daniels talking over Hank III’s band….
August 29, 2012 @ 1:40 am
I agree that the “outlaw” image should come a little more naturally. Bob Wayne seems to force it a bit. He’s no “70’s” outlaw, but no one these days is. Outlaw has taken another form. Could you see Waylon doing rockabilly? That would be a trip.
Charlie Daniels vocals over iii’s damn band? Sounds pretty dead on
August 29, 2012 @ 8:31 am
Since we are discussing past vs. modern day outlaws, aren’t we missing someone? Jamey Johnson.
A lot of discussion goes on about this or that guy as modern day outlaw muscian, but there is one guy at the top of that list. Jamey’s career is an exact parallel to the ”™70”²s movement. If you don”™t believe that, then I”™m sorry, but you don”™t know about the ”™70”²s outlaw movement.
Just no one else today has the talent or savvy to do what Jamey has done.
We could argue about the 2nd on that list, but if you truely know the origins of the outlaw movement, then there is no debate on the #1 guy who is following that trail.
August 29, 2012 @ 9:56 am
For the love of all things holy, let’s not get into a Jamey Johnson discussion here.
August 29, 2012 @ 2:47 pm
Ever seen Jamey Johnson live? Not very impressive
August 29, 2012 @ 3:13 pm
I think with artists like Bob Wayne and Jamey Johnson, there is one thing that we can agree on… they are unique. I don’t know that I would say a Johnson show is not impressive, it is different and may not appeal to everyone. It is totally about the music and only the music. There is nothing but music, he doesn’t even say hello or goodbye.
And artists like Bob and Jamey, any attention they get, be it 30 or 3000 people coming to see them (and I’ve seen Jamey play to crowds and people as rough as Bob has), or a nomination or winning an award, you know with them it is solely due to talent/skill. Not looks, not big record backing. I’m sure they each would be the first to tell you they aren’t going to be mistaken for Tim McGraw, or the record executives are running their shows.
They both have worked extremely hard to get to where they are, no one should try and debate that.
August 29, 2012 @ 12:06 pm
I agree with Brett’s view of things. I gave Bob a try after reading the album review, but it just seems to be all of the songs are someone trying to hard to be an “outlaw”. Cursing for the sake of it.
I went and listened to some of the songs mentioned by triggerman, 27 years, blood and dust. The story sounds genuine, but where is the creativity? Spoken word songs that dont even attempt to use any original prose.
August 30, 2012 @ 7:40 am
I agree with you. Using the example Trigger has, Johnny Cash lyric “I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die” is much more creative than lyrics like “I smoked some fucking weed and the cops came and I said fuck off.”
It seems a bit adolescent. But when it comes to addiction, there is medical opinion that your brain developement kind of stops when the addiction starts. So, and this is not a rip this addiction studies, if Bob was addicted in his teen years/early 20’s, then adolescent thought process is expected. Or Bob is just a guy that grew up in the grunge/punk scene of Seattle and just “Gone ‘outlaw’ Country”
Why do all the pop stars have to stay out of country, but all the punk rockers get to come in?
August 28, 2012 @ 9:49 pm
I was just exploring some of the YouTube videos of Bob Wayne songs, and to me “Spread My Ashes on the Highway” is a great example of why some country fans might have problems with his music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKWRQi6UV0A
He starts out singing soulfully, and then suddenly at 0:42 he starts shouting “LET’S SMOKE SOME WEED, FUCK SOME WHORES” over a dramatically accelerated musical arrangement. If you are going to shift your musical style that sharply in a song, then why not at least do it gracefully with a proper bridge?
August 28, 2012 @ 10:18 pm
i was really excited for outlaw carnie to come out and i was kind of disappointed with that record. that being said, till the wheels fall off is EXCELLENT! i couldn’t believe the improvement between the two. great stuff mr. wayne!
August 28, 2012 @ 10:39 pm
Bob Wayne is amazing he has developed so much its crazy. I think it takes a real man to quit drugs and I love him so much more for that.
August 29, 2012 @ 6:42 am
“maybe this here outlaw bit has done gone out of hand.”
August 29, 2012 @ 7:56 am
I personally like some of Bob Wayne’s music especially “Blood to Dust”. To me that is one of the greatest, I guess you call it “talking songs”. You don’t hear much of that in country music anymore. The last would have been Ray Scott’s song “My Kind of Music”. The only problem I have with him and I think most people do is that it appears he tries way to hard to put out this image of being an “outlaw”. It just comes across as fake or cheesy, whether he is or not. Maybe that’s why I love “Blood to Dust” because it’s a personal song where he is just being himself and not pushing the bad boy image.
August 29, 2012 @ 8:08 am
Why do we crucify CMT artists for songs that hit the radio (and make up our mind before hearing any deeper cuts from and album, but for a guy like Bob Wayne, we should look at the deeper tracks before we judge his “Fuck the Cops” tracks?
Frist thing I thought of when I read this article, it sounds like Bob goes to Europe because that is where the payday is. I guess some artists change what they play to get paid, others change where they play to get paid. Not faulting either for it, but if you want to talk true outlaw music, it is changing the system/dynamics of music business. Not just going somewhere else and playing what you want. Or not calling yourself an outlaw with a pop country album. Neither are changing the system. Frankly, neither have the anything close to what Waylon, Willie, Merle had for talent in their pinky.
It’s to bad the indepth research and knowledge of Bob Wayne that Trigger has doesn’t translate to other artists that do have a larger impact. As I read through good points from many of the responses, I was left thinking if anyone here has heard of or knows anything about Jamey Johnson? For what Trigger outlined here about Bob Wayne, Jamey has already done it less the Europe touring because he didn’t choose that avenue. And success is subjective, so I’m hesistant to speak on that as a measure, but in my opinion, the harder road is trucking straight through Nashville and finding success on your terms vs. staying out of the beast and not really ever putting yourself on the line. There is compromise in everything, EVERYTHING, so please don’t confuse that with sellout.
Sorry, not to get off topic, but some of the responses and points made got me thinking. As for Bob, I think he has his fans, and I just don’t see him becoming any bigger than he is, and I’m sure he is fine with that.
I’ve looked up some past articles about Jamey on this site and the blog and responses are kind of sad. I would think he would be embraced here for the success he has had and the way he has done it even if you don’t like his musical style. You can’t fly the Waylon flag and not like Jamey Johnson. His career is an exact parallel to the ’70’s movement. If you don’t believe that, then I’m sorry, but you don’t know about the ’70’s outlaw movement.
Just no one else today has the talent or savvy to do what Jamey has done. The guy is 35-ish years old and about to release a Tribute to Hank Cochran. Who the fuck does that??? Who has the balls to do that today???
August 29, 2012 @ 9:17 am
“You can”™t fly the Waylon flag and not like Jamey Johnson.” I disagree with that statement and about who’s No. 1 on that list, but I guess I’m a bit biased. Take Cowboy Eddy Long out of the equation and I have no reason to ever tune in to hear Jamey’s monotone voice. I’ll give him one thing: the dude can write a song. “Give it Away” is a killer tune that was great for King George, but then again he wrote “Honky-Tonk BaDonka Donk.” Where’s the parallel for that crap in Waylon’s career? As for Jamey’s performances, blah. He may be one of the best things going in Nashville, but it doesn’t mean he’s the best thing out there. I think Dale Watson and Whitey Morgan are the only one’s touring and flying “that Flag.” But I prefer Honky-tonk music.
To be fair, I’d definitely check out a Hank Cochran Tribute record, and if I put it on and heard all the tunes slowed waaaaaay down and sung through Jamey’s nose, I’d throw it away.
August 29, 2012 @ 9:53 am
I can see where you’re coming from. But when you bring up Honkytonkbodonkadonk as the argument, then you kind tip your cap as to what you know about Jamey’s music.
Jamey didn’t write “Give It Away” for George, he wrote it for himself, George just got ahold of it. The song was autobiographical. So we applaued Jamey for that song but crucify him for Trace getting ahold of and clubbing up Honkytonkbonkadonk? Listen to Jamey do either song himself, they come across a good country tunes.
The parallel is that Waylon wasn’t always Mr. Outlaw, but he was a slicked back singer when he came to Nashville, and he did what he had to do, to reach the bigger goal, biggier picture. Jamey is a songwriter and has wrote many songs. Doing what he had to do for the bigger picture. I don’t fault him for bonkadonk. He has put out far more killers songs than failures. It is just to bad he wasn’t introduced to the radio masses with songs like “That Lonesome Song” or “Old Maple Guitar” or “Keepin Up With the Jonesen” which were put out/written way before bodonkadonk.
Dale and Whitey are fantastic, and like Jamey (and Bob Wayne), they are who they are on stage. In my opinion, Jamey is just a lot different than anything out there. There is zero fluff with him, it is all about the music, and music alone. Not lights, not bandanas, not shirts that say “Outlaw” on them, it sometimes isn’t even about the crowd there to watch him, it is all about the music. Whether it is the drawn out instrumentals or lyrical depth, it is his style no doubt.
He has so many songs that are never mentioned that are fantastic.
I do agree with most of what you stated in your above responses. So I don’t mean to try and turn this into a topic it is not.
August 29, 2012 @ 10:01 am
I don’t have a problem with artists getting radio play, exposure on CMT, or success in general. I know it is easy to come to that conclusion with some of the rhetoric on this site. My job is to expose what is NOT getting exposed, so I’m always going to be highlighting the other side. I don’t have a problem with Jamey Johnson. Many people find his music boring. I would tend to agree with them. It doesn’t mean he’s bad or wrong or that I hate him or am against him. I’d rather hear Kellie Pickler’s latest album which is straight out of the mainstream.
Please let’s not get in Jamey Johnson discussion here. They never go anywhere. Let’s just agree to disagree.
August 29, 2012 @ 7:38 pm
“Bob goes to Europe because that is where the payday is”
Sounds like that’s where he has a following there, would you rather play to a packed crowd in europe or a room with 20 uninterested Americans trying to eat dinner?
August 30, 2012 @ 7:48 am
Well, there are plenty of artists that don’t have the luxury to go to Europe and play, so they stick it out. I guess you bring up a good point, Bob has some record label backing to go out and do Europe. I bet that backing is because the label gets a nice return on investment and not just so Bob has a bigger crowd to play to.
Times I’ve seen Bob, it wasn’t a place that served dinner. It was to crowds there to see the headliners and they all thought Bob was kind of a joke.
Throw enough shit around the world and some of it will stick.
September 1, 2012 @ 5:33 pm
Bob was busting his balls in europe Way before a record deal was anywhere in the picture. You don’t have a clue what you are talking about.
September 1, 2012 @ 9:01 pm
Bob just recently signed on to a label. He was playing in Europe when his cd’s came out of his camper with a sharpie used to label the cd and a jewel case with a photo copied cover. He busted his ass doing whatever job he needed to in order to tour.
August 29, 2012 @ 12:29 pm
Because of all the controversy surrounding his songs and the lifestyle he sings about, he’s a great artist to turn punk fans on to. One of my best friends is big in to punk music like Johnny Hobo & the Freight Trains and Choking Victim and Star Fucking Hipsters but lately I’ve been getting him in to stuff like Jayke Orvis and The Boomswagglers. Bob was one of the first artists he really got in to and mainly because he can identify musically with what Bob plays and sings about.
August 29, 2012 @ 4:35 pm
Trig said it from the get go, like him or not, he is here. It may evolve into something great…
August 29, 2012 @ 3:40 pm
What did Bob Wayne do that he hasn’t already done to “arrive” where you think he has arrived?
Sure he works hard, but so do tons of other bands. Hellbound Glory/Whitey Morganwork just as hard, have no name sake and they have arrived a hell of a lot more than Bob.
I get he is your friend, so sure, pimp your buddies on your website, but “arrived”??? Arrived where- Europe? Isn’t Hassalhoff big in Europe too? So was Jon Tesh.
August 29, 2012 @ 6:14 pm
He’s arrived because he’s established a legitimate career in music. That was the point of the article. I purposely left out any opinions about his music and openly admitted he’s a polarizing figure and for legitimate reasons.
And I am friendly with Bob Wayne like I am with all the artists I cover, but I am not his close friend. I do have close friends who play music, and I purposely never discuss them for that very reason. And I’ve lost some friends because of that.
August 29, 2012 @ 4:26 pm
Bob Wayne needs to do a rap song with Freddie Gibbs…
August 29, 2012 @ 4:39 pm
I got no feelings on him at all. I dont care for his voice all that much and dont think he is all that original, but he doesnt get my blood boiling or think he is a bane to actual country music. In fact I am pretty indifferent on him completely. Had I never heard him I wouldnt mind, and having heard him and knowing that some people think he is amazing doesnt bother me either.
August 30, 2012 @ 1:20 am
maybe it’s because at one point, I thought that Hank the third was the second coming of Jesus Chrristofferson.! Or when I was first introduced to  modern underground country music, being a punk rocker all  my life or maybe because the lyrics in “wired up” are on parallel with the shit from Eminem who I can’t help but appreciate because of his undeniable talent and in the same way the good shit rises to the top and the bad shit falls to the bottom. this motherfucker rises to the top like a real hard earned -week-old drug-induced movement because he is the real deal! he is fucking good! He  is entertaining! if you don’t like it. that is your problem I enjoyed the fucking shit out of it and it inspires me to be better. Whenever he says “devil”  it means drugs/alcohol whatever your poison. Maybe you have to be “a dicked head” to see it that way or appreciate it that way.  Maybe at that particular moment you’re ready for something raw and something different. Maybe you don’t want to come home with your T-shirt saturated with white boy shit blood piss and cum  to hug  your daughter.  Punk rock has run  it’s course and this is the natural progression for me anyway. His music projects the spirit that I have had the whole time: fuck all y’all!,  I’ll tell you what I’ve been around, and he is damn good by me, he is entertaining, and is a good time personally.  he is exactly who he is supposed to be, doing exactly what he should be doing.
August 30, 2012 @ 4:17 am
I dont care for his music much and i really wish he’d stop pulling his hat down and making his ears stick out , wtf is that about ? but i will give him this…That guy works harder and tours harder than any other bands out there !
August 30, 2012 @ 7:31 am
Well for me this guy has found a persona and works it. That is how you do make a living as a front man. Live that persona, not many do, so I won’t fault him for that. I do think harshly criticizing the “persona” of other artists isn’t fair when Bob is doing the same thing, but because he does it out of a van somehow makes it ok?
Anyway, I don’t see any work of his that would lead me to believe he is some undiscovered Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, or even has surpassed Hank3. It would be nice to set the record straight on Bob’s background/upbringing since we seem to look at that as a measurement for so many other artists, especially more mainstream artists. I think you’ll find even a less stellar resume and just a punk kid that did drinking and drugs. When you do that stuff, the cops come, just not everyone sings about it like they are to tough to tame. But makes for a nice “persona” doesn’t it?
Perhaps the blog would have been more accurate to be titled “Like his music or not, Bob Wayne makes a living doing it” Because in my opinion, if he gets the tag of “arrived”, it is almost like giving a trophy to the losing team because they practiced and showed up.
August 31, 2012 @ 1:32 pm
kinda off topic but does anybody know if Andy Gibson has ever released an album of his own music?
September 1, 2012 @ 8:56 pm
I love Bob. He’s from my hometown of Tri-Cities, WA where his mom still lives. Whenever he goes home to visit her he plays a couple of the bars. One December the Carnies couldn’t make it oer the pass due to a snowstorm so Bob got onstage and did an ENTIRE show by himslf for the 50 or so of us who braved the blizzard to see him. Whether you like his music or not doesn’t really matter. He is the most down to earth, respectful, hard-working man I know.
September 13, 2012 @ 6:22 am
Good call on the polarizing opinions Trig!!! I’d call myself a fan of bob but not a fan of every song. When he sits down with a guitar and plays something deep like he does it’s awesome. But he does sometimes sound like Charlie Daniels over 3’s damn band. Got to give the guy credit for the way he tours though. I’ve seen guys burn out in a matter of months but bob’s goin 360 days a year! Insane!!!
September 17, 2012 @ 8:11 pm
By far the best concert I’ve ever been to. Huge amount of energy.
October 20, 2012 @ 12:59 pm
i dont care if he lives the life or not, bob wayne is a great fuckin songwriter. not every song ever written by somebody was true ya know? i also think his style is way different than hank3 who everybody compares him to. from everything iv read he is a great guy who would give you the shirt off your back if you needed it, how many people you know care more about others than themselves? not many, thats what makes him an “outlaw”. this whole fuckin outlaw thing is fuckin stupid, the guy can write a damn good entertaining song which is all i care about. keep on keeping on bob wayne
November 5, 2012 @ 12:07 pm
Any man that steals Wayne Hancock’s wife is lowdown in my book.
November 5, 2012 @ 12:39 pm
Care to elaborate?
November 5, 2012 @ 1:21 pm
Well, Wayne was in town a few weeks back and mentioned loosing his wife to Bob Wayne. I’ve seen Wayne Hancock play boozed up, stoned, both, but never have I heard him so loose lipped and upset. I was having a smoke with him and a few others during the break and he elaborated upon the subject. With respect to Wayne Hancock I’ll spare the details, but it sounds like a shitty deal.
Which sucks because the last time I saw Wayne he played Everything’s Legal In Alabama with Bob Wayne, and I’m sure Wayne Hancock aided in Bob Wayne’s success.
November 5, 2012 @ 1:27 pm
Wow. If that is the case, then that is really shitty. I was under the impression that Wayne Hancock and Bob Wayne were both sober, and for a long time in Hancock’s case.
November 5, 2012 @ 1:36 pm
I know Wayne Hancock has had some struggles. Either way, I was never a fan of Bob Wayne, but this really made me dislike the guy. Wayne Hancock has groomed many a musician and to stab him in the back like that is just plain wrong.
November 5, 2012 @ 1:58 pm
Let’s all tap the breaks for just a second. When drugs, alcohol, and broken hearts are involved, information can get muddy. I’m not saying anybody is lying, I’m just saying these are three people’s personal lives, and let’s be careful about how we spread conjecture.