Tad Robinson Explained

Tad Robinson (born June 24, 1956) is an American singer, harmonica player, and songwriter.

Robinson was born and raised in New York City. He graduated the New Lincoln School and attended Indiana University's school of music and graduating in 1980. He played regionally with a group called the Hesitation Blues Band, then moved to Chicago, where he became the vocalist for Dave Specter & the Bluebirds, singing on their 1994 album Blueplicity for Delmark Records.^[1] In 1994, he released his first album under his own name on the same label; seven more have followed, five on the Severn imprint.^[2]

Robinson has performed at notable festivals in several countries, including the United States, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.^[3] He has been a Hohner harmonica endorsee since 1985.^[1]

Discography

Solo

• One to Infinity (Delmark Records, 1994)
• Last Go Round (Delmark Records, 1998)
• Did You Ever Wonder? (Severn Records, 2004)
• A New Point of View (Severn Records, 2007)
• Back in Style (Severn Records, 2010)
• Day Into Night (Severn Records, 2015)
• Real Street (Severn Records, 2019)

With The Hesitation Blues Band

• Bring It in the Alley (Jelly Roll Records, 1979)

With Big Shoulders

• Big Shoulders (Rounder Records, 1989)

With Dave Specter & The Bluebirds

• Blueplicity (Delmark Records, 1994)
• Live in Europe (Delmark Records; CrossCut Records, 1994)
• Live in Chicago [CD and DVD] (Delmark Records, 2008)

With B.B. & The Blues Shacks

• Live at Lucerne Blues Festival, (Stumble Records, 1998)

With Lars Kutschke

• While We're Here, (Timezone Records, 2022)

Other releases

• Best Kept Secret – Blues Harmonica [with Mitch Kashmar, Mark DuFresne, Steve Bailey] (Thumbs Up Records, 2004)

Film work

• Under Siege (1992) - composer, "Sea of Blues", "Love You To Death", "Rap Mama Goose"; actor/performer (singer for 'Bad Billy & The Bail Jumpers')
• A Perfect Murder (1998) - performer, "Sands of Time"
• The Guardian (2006) - performer, "Hold Tight"

Awards

• 2005 – W.C. Handy Blues Award, Soul Blues Album of the Year (nominated)
• 2005 – W.C. Handy Blues Award, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year (nominated)^[4]
• 2008 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Album of the Year (nominated)
• 2008 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year (nominated)^[5]
• 2009 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year (nominated)^[6]
• 2011 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Album of the Year (nominated)
• 2011 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year (nominated)^[7]
• 2016 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Album of the Year (nominated)^[8]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tad Robinson. Hohner. December 5, 2015.
2. Bill Dahl, [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p119456/biography|pure_url=yes}} Tad Robinson] at Allmusic
3. Web site: Weekend's Best: Pop Music. Lindquist. David. December 16, 2010. IndyStar. December 5, 2015.
4. Blues Foundation, Blues Foundation 2005 Nominee List
5. Blues Foundation, Blues Foundation 2008 Nominee List
6. Blues Foundation, Blues Foundation 2009 Nominee List
7. Blues Foundation, Blues Foundation 2011 Nominee List
8. Blues Foundation, Blues Foundation 2016 Nominee List