Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 13, 1990 TAG: 9007130158
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TRACY WIMMER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
While the audience will see it in his distinctive, often rowdy, folk-rock style Tuesday night at the Iroquois Club, long-time fans have known it for years.
It was this dedication to his muscial style that drove Forbert to mount a New York stage in 1977 with harmonica in one hand and a 35-year-old Gibson acoustic guitar in the other. Although it was a time when punk and new wave music were the rage, Forbert refused to be swayed, a stand that eventually won 4 1 FORBERT Forbert him respect among musicians of all genres.
Mixing elements of rock, folk, blues and country, Forbert's emotional performances earned him praise as one of the most promising artists of the decade.
But the critics' raves and modest popular success in the late '70s waned quickly. By 1987, Forbert had no manager, no record company and hadn't had a record released in five years.
Still, Forbert kept plugging away, playing bar gigs in backwater towns from Liberty, N.Y. to Ruston, La. At times he was forced to whistle his forgotten hit single, "Romeo's Tune," off his 1979 Top 20 album "Jackrabbit Slim" to club owners when trying to book a gig.
In 1985, Forbert, who was touring with a band that started to get critical notice, was signed to a contract by Praxis International, the same company that manages the Georgia Satellites and Jason and the Scorchers. Then Geffen Records signed Forbert for his 1988 release, "Streets Of This Town." While the album was marginally successful, the critics loved it.
Forbert moved to New York at age 21 after leaving his truck driving job in his native Meridian, Miss. He now makes his home in Nashville with a wife and twin sons.
In August, Forbert will be heading back into the studio to record another release on the Geffen label.
STEVE FORBERT 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Iroquois Club. Advance tickets $10. 982-8979.
by CNB