BOB LIVINGSTON BIO
BOB LIVINGSTON has never been a traditional Texas country musician
living the honky-tonk life even though he has spent more than his share of
time on the roadhouse circuit with some of Texas’ most colorful musicians. Livingston grew up in Lubbock and moved to Austin in 1971 after playing on Michael Murphey's album Geronimo’s Cadillac. Austin was a creative
boom town whirling with excitement and busting at the seams. The streets were
full of musicians, poets, artists and dancers. There were plenty of places to play and a lot of music to be made. Livingston quickly hooked up
with Jerry Jeff Walker and joined his band. They toured and recorded several albums including the 1973's quintessential
progressive country rock album, Viva Terlingua! In 1974, Livingston, Gary Nunn and John Inmon founded the Lost Gonzo Band and between tours for Walker, found time to record two records for MCA (Lost Gonzo Band and Thrills) and one for Capitol (Signs of Life). Rolling Stone called the
Gonzo’s self titled debut record, “one of the best albums to ever
come out of Austin.”
Livingston has been called a 'cosmic cowboy' for good reason. He's looked into the music and mysteries of other cultures and tours in countries like India, Pakistan, Africa, and the Middle East and Vietnam. Inspired by his tours in India, Livingston released a new CD in 2004 for Vireo Records called Mahatma Gandhi & Sitting Bull. The Austin-American Statesman chose it as one of the top-ten records of 2004.
Livingston is currently playing around the country and abroad promoting a new compilation album called Original Spirit and he's writing material for a new record with a harder edge. He only half jokingly says he's thinking about calling it Flesh & Blood. He's put together a multi-cultural group of musicians from Texas and India called Cowboys & Indians and he's turning the concept into a full fledged musical play with Bobby Bridger with the first performances scheduled for the summer of '08. Also on the creative horizon is a documentary film that Livingston and his son, Tucker, are editing about their tours in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
(For more information about the Lost Gonzo Band go to the Lost Gonzo Band Home Page.
Click Here To View & Download a Bob Livingston Press Photo (300 dpi)
A Few Words of Support:
- “Livingston’s always been a songwriter of the first order…he’s got a master’s way with words and music. ‘On A Dream With You’ pairs Livingston’s gentle tenor with the silky-voiced Eliza Gilkyson for a language duet that’s already receiving well-deserved airplay.” -Margaret Moser, Austin Chronicle
- ''It is great to hear an album from an Austin musician that doesn't revolve around frat boy patroninzation. No beer references, no hollerin' Texas, no not even the roadtrip offering. What you will find is an adult album aimed at the Country crowd from a longtime Texas music hero. Bob Livingston has ties to Jerry Jeff's Lost Gonzo Band, Gonzo Compadres, etc., what you'll find is true Texas music! This is the kind of album that will take years to build up it's "resume" as on of Texas' best. You won't find this one on the shelves at Wal-Mart, but this is one of the diamonds in the rough that needs an ear! It is released on Austin's Vireo Records.....the same label where I first discovered Charlie & Bruce Robison 10 years back. Bob Livingston is no newcomer, however his time has arrived to take center stage!'' - Bruce Kidder, Program Director KHYI, Dallas
- “This record combines the energy of a young musician just discovering his voice with the integrity of a veteran that knows how to use it. This world needs this record now more than ever! Our listeners suggest, ‘On A Dream With You’…I couldn’t agree more.” - Mattson Rainer, Program Director of KNBT, Americana ‘Station of the Year 2004’
- “A marvelous piece of work.I’m stung..this CD just blew me away.” - Ed Miller, “Folkways” KUT, Austin
- “To these ears, it is one-cosmically cool platter, making it one of the most refreshing listening experiences I’ve had in far too long.” -Rob Patterson, Country Music People, UK
Bob Livingston: A Partial Discography
Bob Livingston CDs
- Waking Up (Wilderness); 1981
- Signs Of Life (Wilderness); 1988
- Open The Window (Gentle Wind); 1996
- Mahatma Gandhi & Sitting Bull (Vireo); 2003
- Everything Is All Right (TMI); 2004
- Original Spirit (Vireo) 2006
With The Lost Gonzo Band
- The Lost Gonzo Band (MCA); 1972
- Thrills (MCA); 1976
- Signs Of Life (Capitol); 1978
- Rendezvous (Vireo); 1991
- Hands Of Time (Vireo); 1995
- Dead Armadillos (Demon/Edsel); 1998
With Jerry Jeff Walker
- Jerry Jeff Walker (MCA); 1972
- Viva Terlingua! (MCA); 1973
- Walker’s Collectibles (MCA); 1974
- Ridin’ High (MCA); 1975
- It’s A Good Night For Singin’ (MCA); 1976
- A Man Must Carry On (MCA); 1977
- Great Gonzos (MCA); 1991
- Gypsey Songman (Tried ‘n True); 1986)
- Navaho Rug (Rycodisk); 1991
- Hill Country Rain (Rycodisk); 1992
- Viva Lukenbach (Rycodisk); 1993
- Christmas Gonzo Style (Rycodisk); 1994
- Night After Night (Tried ‘n True); 1995
- Scamp (Tried ‘n True); 1996
- Cowboy Boots and Bathing Suits (Tried ‘n True); 1997
- Lone Wolf: The Best of Jerry Jeff Walker (1998)
- Gypsey Songman (Tried ‘n True); 1999
- Gonzo Stew (Tried ‘n True); 2001
- Jerry Jeff Walker Too Old To Change (2003)
With Michael Martin Murphey
- Geronimo’s Cadillac (A&M); 1972
- Cosmic Cowboy Souvenir (A&M); 1973
Best of the Rest...
- Ray Wiley Hubbard: Something About The Night (Renegade); 1979
- Ray Wylie Hubbard Loco Gringos Lament (1994)
- Steven Fromholtz: Steven Fromholtz (Capitol); 1977
- Steven Fromholtz: Frommox II 1982
- Bobby Bridger: Seekers Of The Fleece (Golden Egg); 1975
- Bobby Bridger: Ballad Of The West (Golden Egg); 2001
- Bobby Bridger: Complete Works (Golden Egg); 2004
- Terry Allen: The Moral Minority (Fate); 1995
- Pat Green: Carry On (Universal) 2000
- Pat Green: Three Days (Universal); 2001
- Peter Caulton: Hard Road Tough Country (1998)
- Pat Green: Carry On (2001)
- Cory Morrow: Outside the Lines (2002)
- Mark David Manders Highs and Lows (2002)
- Owen Temple: General Store (2002)
- Larry Joe Taylor: Heart of the Matter (2000)
- Various Artists Kerrville Folk Festival: Early Years 1972-1981
- Various Artists Stranger Than Fiction (1999)
- Bill Oliver: Texas Oasis 1980 (Live Oak)
- Bill Oliver: Better Things To Do 1986 (Live Oak)
- Bill Oliver: Audubon Adventures 1987 (Live Oak)
- Bill Oliver: Have To Have A Habitat 1995 (Live Oak)
- Bill Oliver: Friend of the River 2001 (Live Oak)
- Butch Hancock: Own & Own (1989)
- Butch Hancock: Own the Way Over Here (1993)
- Gary P. Nunn: Under My Hat (1996)
- Chris Wall: Cowboy Nation (1999)
