BOB LIVINGSTON
Singer-songwriter BOB LIVINGSTON has never been a traditional Texas country musician living the honky-tonk life, even though he's spent more than his share of time on the roadhouse circuit with some of the most colorful musicians in Texas. As a member of Austin’s legendary Lost Gonzo Band, performing and recording with such musical visionaries as Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Martin Murphey and Ray Wylie Hubbard, Livingston played an integral role in creating the music that first earned Austin the designation of 'Live Music Capital of the World'. Achieving recognition in their own right, the Gonzos’ self-titled debut record was named by 'Rolling Stone', "one of the best albums ever to come out of Austin".
Livingston has seen a lot of the world since growing up in musically fertile West Texas. Hailing originally from Lubbock, his interests were more 'Cosmic' than 'Cowboy' and have prompted him to delve into the music and mysteries of many cultures. Traveling since the 80’s as a Music Ambassador for the US State Department, Livingston has taken Texas music as far afield as India, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, demonstrating again and again the unique power that music has to build bridges between peoples of the world. As Livingston says, 'When all else fails, music prevails'. This philosophy earned him the honor of being appointed, 'Austin’s International Music Ambassador', in November of 2009 by the City Council.
This world traveled view was reflected in his album, 'Mahatma Gandhi and Sitting Bull', released in 2004 and named by the Austin American-Statesman as one of the year’s Top 10 CDs. Currently on the road in support of a new compilation CD called, 'Original Spirit', Livingston, between gigs, is writing new material and recording an album with a harder edge that, in spirit, returns home to his Texas roots: a little less 'cosmic' and a little more 'cowboy'. Working with producer, Lloyd Maines, Livingston only half jokingly calls this new project, 'The Flesh and Blood Sessions'.
Livingston 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 Houston playright/songwriter, Bobby Bridger, with the first performances scheduled for the summer of 2011. Also on the creative horizon is a documentary film that Livingston and his son, Tucker, are editing about their tours for the State Department their tours in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
In a live performance with Bob Livingston, one finds a veteran singer-songwriter and a master storyteller who captures his audience from the first notes played. Livingston extends an irresistible invitation to travel down the musical highways and rutted back country roads where fate has taken him over the years. Come along on this adventure... an unforgettable evening of Texas music and tales of how it came to be, lies just down the road...
Check out his music, history and photos on Facebook and...Be A Friend! www.Facebook.com/boblivingston
(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)
