Like father like son, Academy Award winning actor Tim Robbins has taken to the other half of the family trade releasing his first folk music album this past July. Though Robbins still plans on making movies, his passion for music has brought the well-renown actor a new lease on what to do with his life.
Although born in West Covina, Calif. Tim Robbins grew up in affluent folk scene of Greenwich Village, New York. Son to an actress mother and folk musician father; Robbins’ decision taking to the road of music comes as little surprise in context to his upbringing.
Gil Robbins, Tim’s late father, performed with a few folk acts including a two year stint with The Highwaymen during the group’s moonlight years from 62′ until they broke up in ’64. During the late 60’s as Tim reached his double-digit years, his father became the manager of the well established folk venue, The Gaslight Cafe, a coffee house in Greenwich Village that frequented folk musicians for live musical performances; including Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Richie Havens, and Tom Paxton.
During an interview with Spinner.com Robbins explained his hesitation in broadening his career towards music while extrapolating on the self-reflection which inspired him to become a recording artist.
I didn’t really have a story to tell yet, as a musician. I was still trying to find my voice and I respect music too much to just go ahead and do that. I didn’t treat it lightly, said Robbins.
After a few chance encounters and soul searching after decades of acting, Robbins came full circle with his passion for music; instead of being an avid fan he took his experiences and pedigree from the Greenwich folk scene creating an album of his own with producer Hal Willner and his backing band The Rogues Gallery.
I felt like if you’re going to do a project then it should be something that’s whole. It should have a reason behind it and a passion behind it and a theme behind it. I didn’t feel I had that. Until now, added Robbins.
With his album out now via iTunes, Robbins has taken to the road with a renewed lease on life after experiencing live performance in front of fans, rather than cameras and directors.
[With music] I’m going up on stage, having an immediate relationship with an audience; a very personal exchange of emotions and experience. After doing it in Europe last fall, I became intoxicated with the idea that this was a possibility in my life…I’m doing this every year and I’m going to do regular tours. As long as people will have me, I will do it, said Robbins.
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