Mersey singer Robert Vincent’s heading for the stage in one of Nashville’s biggest festivals

Crosby-born singer songwriter Robert Vincent has been invited to perform in Nashville at The Americana Music Association’s famed annual festival.

And while it might not be the first time Robert Vincent has taken to the stage at the prestigious event, September’s AMERICANAFEST 2024 will definitely be the most special.

“I’ve been there five or six times now but this will be the first time I have got a record to take with me,” says Robert, whose fourth album came out in June, “and so that feels really great.

“AMERICANAFEST is a huge industry showcase as well as being a festival for musicians to get together and play, and it’s been running for about 20 years so it is a big deal for me.”

Robert will also be promoting his album, Barriers, in other shows while he’s in Tennessee’s legendary ‘Music City’, taking part in a documentary, and playing in the famous Bluebird Café where artists like Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kris Kristofferson, Carole King, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, and Taylor Swift have performed.

 “It’s going to be a very cool trip,” he smiles.

With superfans like Liverpool actor David Morrisey who starred in a video for his song The Insider – “he’s become a great friend and he knows his music, so it’s a real boost when someone of his talent likes what you do” – the 43-year-old has got a growing reputation as one of the key new voices in UK Americana, country and folk music.

He explains: “My dad’s always been a country fan and Liverpool itself has a rich history of being a country town – Ringo Starr was in a country band growing up and a lot of bands in the ‘50s and ‘60s were country bands.  A lot of that comes from the Cunard Yanks, the lads who used to go from Liverpool over to New York on the Cunard Line and bring back country and jazz records that you wouldn’t necessarily be able to get over here.

“I describe myself more as Americana but what I do has got a flavour of country, folk and rock, and it’s a general mix of all those things.

“Country has become huge, and the new album got into the official country music charts here a few weeks ago reaching number four. It did – and is doing – really well. 

“So yeah, it’s a mixture of things, but country’s there because my dad was a big fan of Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, and all of the country boys, and that was always around when I was growing up.”

Robert goes on: “I was always interested in music. I started singing in the school choir as a kid and playing in bands with school friends when I was at Chesterfield High. I never seemed to be away from it, or far from it.

“I did other jobs – and I made a really bad estate agent at one time – but there was nothing else that I was drawn to or that really interested me. And if you find something that you’re really passionate about and that you love, well that’s it, you’re halfway there.”

Robert’s been playing music for more than 20 years now and for the last 12 has performed solely under his own name.

He’s played with major stars like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Paul Carrack, and Duane Eddy, who gifted him with one of his signature Gretsch guitars after his 80^th birthday celebration at The London Palladium. 

And he’s backed Robert Plant, with two more postponed gigs with the rock legend and former Led Zeppelin lead singer in November, along with many more.

But it seems that Robert is finally getting the recognition he deserves on both sides of the Atlantic.

“I feel the new record seems to have lifted things to a whole new level,” says Robert, “which, along with Nashville, will keep me moving forward.

“I think there’s no real definition of success other than the fact that you are doing what you enjoy doing.

“I’d like to play to bigger audiences and do a tour of Philharmonic style venues and I think I’d be happy with that. That’s my goal I think, I love playing live and doing gigs for people.”

Robert has got a big UK tour when he returns from the States which includes a hometown gig on December 7 at The Tung Auditorium in Oxford Street.

“The Tung is a stunning room that holds 400 people and it’s selling really well. We’re going to have a string quartet, other band members, and it’ll be a great night,” says Robert.

“I always look forward to putting on a show in Liverpool, and I always try and make it special.”

That said, AMERICANAFEST 2024 is next on the agenda from September 17 to 21: “It is an amazing experience to be over there because Nashville is a great place, it’ll be exciting and I can’t wait.

“It will be more special than ever this year, having the new record played and talked about. 

“And with the music I play becoming more and more popular, hopefully I’m in it at the right time.”

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