EPK
Rob McHale is a North Carolina Songwriter and Storyteller whose songs can take you through a small town, down a dirt road or on an historical journey – and bring you back home again.
Rob currently performs regionally, internationally, and select US cities, combining his stories and songs about some of our greatest legends. In addition to performances with members his band, he performs solo. Since 2017 he has told the Tom Dooley Legend at the grave of Laura Foster ( for whom Tom was hanged for murdering ) at sundown under candlelight at the Happy Valley Fiddler’s Convention, in the heart of Tom Dooley Country. Rob released a podcast ‘ The Real Tom Dooley Story ‘ on January 9th, 2020.
In addition to general performances, Rob performs at a host of libraries. historical societies and Arts Councils, presenting historical programs of songs he has crafted about some of our greatest Folk Legends, i.e. Woody Guthrie, The Saluda Grade, Moonshine Racers, Junior Johnson, the ’40 Ford Coupe, Anne Bonny, Bluesman Robert Johnson, General George Custer, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Tom Dooley, small towns and a few love songs.
- Featured on the April 2021 cover of legacy music magazine ‘Musik an Sich’ , Berlin, Germany with an accompanying interview inside
- Rob McHale Folk Artist of the Year 2019 – International Music and Entertainment Association ( IMEA )
- Prophets on the Boulevard IMEA Folk Album of the Year 2019
- Prophets on the Boulevard ( Album ) #8 Folk DJ Charts
- Prophets on the Boulevard Top 100 Folk Albums 2018
- Tom Dooley and Friends ( Album ) #8 Folk DJ Charts
- Tom Dula ( Set Me Free ) #2 Folk DJ Charts
- Laura Foster #9 Folk DJ Charts
- Common Ground #9 Folk DJ Charts ( Prophets on the Boulevard )
- Rob’s 5th album ‘ 40’ Ford Coupe ‘ was released September 2020
Click To Enlarge
“Music of a hundred years ago, from yesterday or today – whenever you place them, the songs of Rob McHale should be taught in school, because they reflect vibrant history, the value of tradition and living social comment. This North Carolina-based poet, musician and composer writes folk Americana songs that walk you through their narratives in an entirely involving way. They bring home the wealth of heritage and place it firmly in the present, they observe the days we live in and offer valuable meaning.” Tom Franks, Folk Words Magazine, London
“On October 25, 2019 I was personally convinced of the power of his songs when I saw him live” Wolfgang Geise, Music and Such Magazine, Berlin, Germany
“McHale wears the skins of his characters: his stories allow for the familiar to be felt as an old friend and the unknown to become family by the end of the song.”
Danny McCloskey, Editor, The Alternate Root Magazine, Palm Springs, CA
“Prophets on the Boulevard“ is definitely one of the best albums thus far in 2018, consistently good from the first song to the last “
Ken Nagelberg, WHYR 96.9 FM, Baton Rouge, LA
Live at the Lighthouse – Poole, England