I gigged with many Norfolk cover bands for over 30 years in the small amount of free time I had left over after running the News Agent in East Runton. When I finally retired I suddenly discovered I could write songs too. Fourteen years and thirteen albums later the songs are still coming thick and fast.
Bob has now written and recorded over 200 songs, releasing thirteen albums, Memories, Images, Only You, Norfolk Heroes, Summertime, Hand In Hand, Rock ‘n’ Roll Forever, Dreams Come True, Mystery, Reflection, Country Time, Spellbound and Destiny. They are all now available for download from iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, You Tube, Deezer, Shazam, Spotify and CD-Baby. All of Just Bob’s CDs are available from his web site. Norfolk Heroes is also available is shops throughout North Norfolk and online at my web site www.thesongfactory.co.uk. It has already been featured on BBC Radio Norfolk and every year sells very well to the holiday makers in North Norfolk.
I am now busy on album number fourteen.
I have guested with many local bands which means I have learnt to play a lot of different instruments over the years, including guitar, bass, banjo, mouth organ and of course vocals. When I retired I kept playing and started writing songs. I soon found, with the help of my 4 track cassette recorder I could take full advantage of all my instruments which spurred me on to write more. I have now progressed to an 8 track recorder which gives me even greater freedom in song arrangements.
Rarely. My music career has moved on now and I spend all my time writing songs either for myself or for commissions.
Jerry Lee, Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers and all the greats from the 50's.
All retro and analogue. I use a very old SideKick analogue drum machine, analogue echo device, an old ECO bass pedal and several electric guitars. All my other instruments are acoustic. Everything is recorded on my new Tascam 8 track cassette recorder. Mastering is done by my friend and neighbour Ian on his AKAI DPS24. I don't know what he does but the results are great.
I have already written a song for Happisburgh, which is falling into the sea. I have also written a song about Henry Blogg the famous Cromer lifeboatman, for the RNLI and one about Admiral Lord Nelson to celebrate the bicentennial of the Battle of Trafalgar. I wrote an anthem for Norwich City football club supporters and sent it to Dehlia Smith, who said she liked it, but so far I have heard nobody sing it up the Norwich end. Most recently, I wrote a lighthearted song about the presenters on BBC Look East. Julie Reinger, the weather girl, played it on local radio (Radio Norfolk).
So far I have composed the music and lyics for over 100 songs and the inspirations keep coming. I am writing songs all the time so you can commission me to write a song about any event or person. All I need are a few details and you can leave the rest to me. I have written songs about subjects as diverse as DIY, Discos, Soaps on the TV and one called Cruisin' which would make a good biker's anthem.