- Artist Name: Robbie Litt
- Hometown: Owen Sound (Ontario, Canada)
What project(s) are you currently working on?
New album, also Christmas album
What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?
I became addicted to music, mostly rock and roll and then folk in my early teens. My dad was a professional musician entertainer and semi gave it up and got a job to raise us 5 kids. He did part-time on weekends because in his words “I cant play much anymore but dj’ing is the closest I can get to it.” So he had cases of classic 70’s 45 vinyl singles sitting around in the basement when he wasn’t using them and I wore them out. He always had instruments set up in a practice room and it was inevitable that me and my brothers would eventually pick up an instrument. I remember recording Led Zeppelin songs off the radio for my big brother who loved Zeppelin. Before long I was totally addicted to Led Zeppelin and devastated when I got to the last album and realized there was no more Led Zeppelin to discover. Then I got into Neil Young, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, The Stones etc. I used to devour music. It quickly became like oxygen for me. I would dream and day dream about playing huge concerts.
If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?
I honestly don’t know what I’d do. I’ve been lucky to have played professionally since I left school and I’ve never really worked for anyone other than playing. I didn’t finish high-school because I had what would now be called serious ADHD. It was and is extremely frustrating trying to focus on tasks. The only time I really feel satisfaction or feel fulfilled with what I’m doing is when I’m up on stage. Having said that…I used to run a massive insect farm and I supplied most of the major zoos and a ton of major pet stores, wholesalers and bird foundations with mealworms, crickets, rats and mice. It was a massive entrepreneurial business. Kind of a miracle for a guy with my condition lol! I made and sold smoked dog bones for a few years…I worked at my dad’s abattoir as a teen and that’s where I got the bones from later. So that was sorta fun and challenging but nothing compares to playing and sharing your songs with people…seeing them relate and tell you how “that song of yours” “we don’t talk much” “made me cry!” Or, “breaking my heart” “got me through my divorce.”
What is your favorite downtime activity?
I have a small aquaponics set up, I love fiddling around with that. I love mushroom hunting or salamander hunting. Trout fishing. Just being in the woods makes me happy. I love building stuff too. I’ve built a couple houses and sheds. I love finding a bunch of scrap rusted roofing…old hacked up 2x4s…someone’s “junk pile” on the side of the road, taking it all home and building a shed or something cool and useful out of it. It’s a great feeling to do that and just stand back and look at it lol!
Who is your biggest celebrity crush?
Merissa Tomei…had a crush on her since “My Cousin Vinny”…my wife knows, and she knows she is number one lol! (my wife is number 1 to be clear)
Who is your favorite sports team(s)?
Not a sports guy ,,,,, at all.
What is the last movie that you watched?
Guardians of the Galaxy, with my kids.
What is the last album you listened to?
The Beatles’ White album kept me company last night on my ten hour drive back from Canada. I’ve listened to it 8 billion times and still love it! My son asked me yesterday “if you could only have one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?” That was my answer.
If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?
‘The Beatles’ White album
What is the greatest country song of all time?
Hard to say , but I love Kris Kristofferson. “Sunday Morning Coming Down” or “To Beat The Devil”
What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?
So far, Ennis, Montana…shout out to Big Mama at Long Branch Saloon!
What is your favorite meal?
Pad Thai
Who is your dream duet partner?
I love playing with my wife who is an awesome bass player/singer. I’m lucky enough to have her with me most of the time and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. I’d probably pass out if I got to play with Joe Walsh though.
Who would you like to go on tour with?
Joe Walsh, Bob Seger, Brandi Carlisle, K’s Choice, Kris Kristofferson I could go on and on…
What is your ultimate career goal(s)?
I want to complete 10 full albums, or 9 albums and then number 10 can be a “Best Of .” Then I feel like I could pass on after that lol!
I want to play a show in every state in the USA and I want my music heard everywhere on the planet. I’m not into the rockstar lifestyle, I don’t like that kind of attention actually but I love sharing that special feeling when you know you’ve connected with your audience. That’s what it’s all about for me. I love finding out that my songs have given comfort to someone or inspired them. Knowing that my music meant something to someone and even got them through a tough time. Sometimes I get really discouraged and feel like I’m not getting anywhere and I feel like giving it up. Then someone I don’t even know tells me how much one of my songs meant to them. Or I look out and see people mouthing or singing the words with me, then I know I have to keep at it. Then I get perspective and purpose.