Rob Beaulieu, the man behind the Rob Beaulieu Band (RBB), is a name synonymous with the Capital Region music scene for the past 25+ years. A former star athlete, Beaulieu was an All ECAC, Honorable mention All American hockey player at Hamilton college before shifting his focus to music. Under the tutelage of David Malachowski and Chuck D’Aloia, Beaulieu developed his unique style of playing, always emphasizing the melody. From his early days in the Dead cover band, Padre, to his musical journey in Europe with a backpacker guitar, Beaulieu’s dedication to his craft is evident.

Throughout his career, Beaulieu has played with a variety of musicians and been a part of many successful projects. He played with Kim Buckley and was her backing band for her album, which was produced by Chuck D’Aloia. Beaulieu also played in the Grateful Dead cover band Slipknot (not to be confused with today’s heavy metal band Slipknot), which included playing with pedal steel player Buddy Cage from New Riders of the Purple Sage. He has been a part of Soul Shock, Loader, Council Fire, Stone Revival Band and Raisinhead, and is currently working on recording with RBB. As a father of two sons, one of whom is a guitar player, Beaulieu’s music resonates deeply with his fans in the north country and beyond. His story is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams. Hockey and music, two of my favorite things, so I know I’m ready to dive right in to learn more about Rob Beaulieu, are you?

Amy: Let’s start with asking you to share with us your journey from being an All ECAC, All American Honorable mention hockey player at Hamilton College to a successful musician in the Capital Region music scene?

Rob: Yes I was a hockey player for my young life until I was about 27. That is where I put my energy and got to a very high level. I took a break after college but did eventually go to Europe to play for a bit. Even when I was a fulltime player I was an intense music fan and saw every concert I could in high school and college. My friends and I would go to every show at SPAC when lawn tickets were $10. It really didn’t matter who. Saw so many amazing bands and we had so much fun. It was an amazing era to see bands. I learned a little guitar in college – campfire songs but that was really the extent of it. I was a hockey puck.

Amy: Since we are talking about Hockey, NHL Playoff season is upon us, so let’s get down to the most important question in this interview. Who are you routing for? (And yes, there is only one right answer but I’ll keep my opinion to my Facebook feed)

Rob: My Dad grew up in Boston so I was indoctrinated right away to all the Boston sports teams (Pats excluded) so Bruins for me.

Amy: In your earlier days, you spent some time in Europe playing hockey and honing your guitar skills, in which you brought with you your backpacker guitar built by Capital Region luthier, Kevin Smith. Can you please describe how this hand built, backpacker guitar was influential to your time abroad?

Rob: Yes I bought that guitar from Kevin, who I knew fairly well at the time. And that little guitar was a blessing for that trip. I still have it. Once I got done playing I just hit the road with my backpack. I tried to practice everyday when I was there. It was a beautiful time. I played guitar, saw all kinds of amazing art, met amazing people – everyday was an adventure and I didnt have a ton of daily obligations.

Drifting and dreaming I suppose. I traveled with a guy I had played hockey with who also stayed over to travel and we had a ball. Eurorail pass, bread, wine, cheese and music. That was the extent of it. Big Joy! I wrote the song Autumn on that trip.

Amy: You’ve been under the instruction and guidance of Albany based, jazz, blues, and R&B guitarist, Chuck D’Aloia and the world renown, NYC based guitarist, David Malachoswki. What was the most valuable lesson you learned from them and How have they shaped your signature style of playing?

Rob: Wow that is a great question. Dave was my first teacher and I was with him just a couple of years. He was such a good guy and amazing talent. He taught out of drome sound. That was more of like teaching me the basics and tabbing out songs for me. I was a total beginner at the time so he didn’t have a ton to work with. I never got the chance to connect later and get some guidance on country and chicken pickin’ stuff that he was so good at. He was very supportive and would come out to see me trying to play with the bands I was in. My relationship with Chuck was really where things turned for me. This was after I returned from Europe and I decided I was going to dedicate myself to this – I was 27 at the time. Chuck is the rarest of talents – he’s not been living here for a long time so many folks won’t know how amazing he was and is as a player.

It was a happy accident that I ended up with him. Talentwise he should be a household name. I could write a book about my time with him but will try to condense here. He produced my first 2 albums as well as Kim Buckley’s album so I was very much embedded with him for quite a while. He taught me how to find my thing. He was terrifyingly good and starting so late in life I knew I could never be all of that. No matter how much I practiced (and I practiced 3-4 hours a day) it was just not going to happen. So he worked with me on how to play in tune and how to express me and what I could do. For example Dave Gilmour is not a shredder he plays lyrically and beautifully. So we embarked on me finding my own sound and to just play like me. The artist side of this thing does not require virtuosity but expression.

Another great lesson from him was why was I playing music. My first album did well and I received a lot of good press until I had a bad review somewhere and I was upset by it. When I told him about he said “If you believe the good ones I guess you have to believe the bad ones”. That really struck me and to me that was liberating as some folks will like what I do and some won’t but the process of creating and expressing and hopefully connecting is what it is about not about anyone else’s opinion either positive or negative.

I haven’t cared one way or the other since. I am glad there are all those folks out there that care enough to have an opinion and review things and say whatever they will I support all of that. His comment helped me learn for myself I had to be committed to what I was doing regardless of any outcome. What I care about is the process and trying to keep the creative process as pure as it can be. Music is the joy, making it is an honor and I do it to the best of my ability. Come back to me when Mirth Films does a documentary about Chuck D’Aloia as I have tons to say about him – there really should be one done.

Amy: You have a son who is a guitar player. Has he shown interest in following in your footsteps? How has your relationship with him influenced your music?

Rob: Yes he is a very good athlete and guitar player. He is in 9th grade and playing beyond his years – I want to get a shout out to my good friend and bandmate Tom Pirozzi for teaching him. I did not want to be his teacher and Tom has shown him the way and I am grateful. We pay together every week and that is an amazing thing. Music takes out the filter of words so we can communicate directly. That is a rare blessing. I see that he can go places that I was not able to and that is exciting to me and it makes me very happy to see a kid his age playing a lot of blues and roots music. He is blending all of that stuff with some metalish stuff and hip hop and that is very cool to hear. He is at the beginning of his journey and I will give him whatever I can – probably just a ride to gigs. Ha.

Amy: Rob Bealieu Band (RBB) is your newest band, formed during the pandemic with some all star bandmates: yourself on guitar & vocals, Mike Newman – bass & vocals, Tony Perrino – organ & vocals, Chad Ploss – drums & vocals, Dave Spadaro on guitar, Sherry Jean Waite for vocals and Jason Townley for your sound guy. What sets this band apart from all of the other bands you have been in over the years?

Rob: Well its a logical continuation but with more of a Soul edge. We have all known each other for years. I recorded Raisinhead’s first record at Tony’s and Sherry sang on that record. That’s 21 years ago. Chad was playing with Soul Shock Monday nights at Valentines 25 years ago and also plays a good amount of the Raisinhead dates.

Dave and I were in the Stone Revival Band together and have been close friends personally and musically for many years. Its a slightly different stew but I try to keep a thread in everything where there is plenty of opportunity to let the unexpected happen. That is what makes it for me. There are new singers for me to write for so that is very cool.

I have been blessed with good singers to write for as Ted Grey of Raisinhead has an extraordinary voice. Now I have Sherry, Tony and Chad that all sing so there is a very diverse palate to write for. I know the things that I can sing and the things I can’t. Again just knowing where what I can do fits and where it doesn’t. And Dave can play things I can’t and Vice Versa – its a very flexible band. There are no egos at all just who will help express something best. I always loved hearing about The Band figuring out which of those 3 amazing singers was going to be the right fit for a song. I try to always be in that space.

Amy: This year, your band RBB is playing at the Memorial Meltdown, a two-day music festival in the heart of Lake George, NY. Can you tell us more about this event and what fans can expect from your performance?
Rob: We are thrilled to be included. I really love the line up both days and have been a lover of the Revivalist for years and was fortunate enough to hear Ryan Montbleau very early on as he opened for Raisinhead right here in Albany when he was just playing solo guitar. I was like wow this guy is amazing and sure enough others felt the same way. The Mallet Brothers are amazing as well. So happy to be there and we will get up there and try to deliver something spontaneous and true to set the table for all those other amazing acts. Thank you Jarret!