The Rowdy Prairie Dogs are......
Robert J. - Singer/songwriter/guitar/harmonica
Tom Dehlinger - Pedal Steel, Lap steel, Dobro, Mando, guitar
Ron Granberg - Drums
Joe McCloskey - Bass, vocals
Michael Tully - Guitars, vocals
Influences
All the basics...Elvis, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Stones, CCR, Poco, Joni Mitchell, CSN&Y, The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Little Feat, Springsteen, Pete Seger, Bob Seger, blues, 60's R&B, Real country and old jazz. Modern day heroes like Buddy Miller, Paul Thorne, Allyson Krause, Old Bull.
Sounds Like
The Rowdy Prairie Dogs sound like "an energized Jakob Dylan backed by the Bottle Rockets!"
"A Beautiful Blur' is a marvelous thing to behold, a testament to a man who won't let anything steal his lust for life."
Robert J. - Bio
Robert J. Conaway grew up literally "riding the rails," following the career of his father, an executive with the Canadian National Railroad. He lived in Duluth, Minneapolis, Seattle, Chicago, Buffalo, Vancouver, Toronto, and Detroit. During college, he worked as a "gandy dancer" on the railroad while finishing up his education at night school, and on the weekends he played in bands. When Robert graduated, he quit his railroad job, jumped in the "band van" and migrated to Colorado with a band called Happy Trails.
Like the mighty Mississippi River, Robert J.'s music flows from the many different genres that pepper the river's banks. Robert J.'s music encompasses elements of blues, rock n roll, R&B/soul and floor-stomping country. Such a mix of genres gives his music its own unique flavor and has allowed him to share the stage with artists of all genres including, The Beach Boys, Taj Mahal, Delbert McClinton, Keb Mo, The Subdudes,The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Diamond Rio and many, many more.
Over the years, Robert J. has played thousands of shows with countless bands. He has written hundreds of songs. He's lived at least several lives, and throughout it all, Robert J. has always tried to make sense of life through song. "His lyrics are direct, edgy reenactments of life itself".
In the fall of 2007 after finishing work on two new CDs, Robert J. had a heart attack while raking leaves in his backyard! When the ER doctor told him the six words that threatened to shake his foundation: "You are having a heart attack," all he could think about was his wife, his kids and the songs that he hadn't finished writing.
Since then, Robert J. has gone through cardiac rehab, lost 24 pounds, written over 25 newly inspired songs, formed his new band, "The Rowdy Prairie Dogs", released two CDs, Winning 6 MAMA Awards including, Best Country CD, Best Rock CD and Vocalist of the Year. "The Revenge of the Rowdy Prairie Dogs" CD was released to Americana radio where it climbed to 19 on the Americana chart in Europe and to 14 on the Roots Rock Chart in America!
This past year, The RPDs have shared the stage with The BoDeans and The New Riders of the Purple Sage and showcased at the Steelbridge Song Festival, Riverfront Rendezvous and Summerfest.
This winter, Robert J. and The Rowdy Prairie Dogs will be playing regionally and recording their next CD due out this April on PopBomb Records.
thanks ROBERT J! i o u 1 :-) p.s. the live PRAIRIE DOG sound last nite was absolute music to my ears. glad i was finally able to catch yous all in action
Hey your page is OVER THE FLOW ! You're cool and I want you to have some free tracks- Click download and then the green button(click here) Also check out my cool new video on the video tab!
Thanx for comin' thru and showin' sum luv fam, keep suppoprtin' yo boy , Indie and unsigned artists on "MySpace" -1- keepin' it 100% Hater Free Don Cutec
Just wanted to let you know you put on a great show in Oshkosh last Sunday. We couldn't have asked for a better lineup than "The Rowdy Prairie Dogs" and "BoDeans"
Just wanted to let you know you put on a great show in Oshkosh last Sunday. We couldn't have asked for a better lineup than "The Rowdy Prairie Dogs" and "BoDeans"
