Robert Cray
Submitted photo from the Robert Cray Band
VAN WERT — Robert Cray likes to take the audience all the way back to the beginning during his shows.
That’s what the blues artist said about his upcoming performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, 10700 state Route 118, Van Wert.
“We go all the way back to one of the earliest records we have, called ‘Bad Influence’, up to what’s been our most recent recording, called ‘That’s what I Heard’,” Cray said. “And we just pull from everything between those two. And on a nightly basis, we change the setlist so we have a little bit of everything.”
The Robert Cray Band, which formed in 1980, takes that to its logical conclusion.
“We play a little blues, a little soul, some touches of R&B and gospel,” the singer and guitarist said. “We are kids from the ’60s and we grew up listening to music in the ’50s so we like everything from the Beatles to Ray Charles. But we play a combination of that music and what we’ve written for ourselves because it’s music that makes everyone feel good and they might relate it to personal situations in their lives.”
And that is the most important thing to Cray.
“I hope that there is something they can relate to at some point in the show,” he said.
Cray said the band has never performed in Van Wert, but he likes the opportunity it presents to reach new fans.
“We started off as kids that just enjoyed playing and we’ve had great success over the years,” he said. “The thing that’s great about going out and playing nowadays is that we’re still able to do what we’re doing after all these years and it’s still fun. What more can you ask for?”
As for what the band has going on aside from live performances, Cray said he hopes to get back in the studio soon.
“There will be something new to look forward to, but I haven’t sorted that out yet,” he said. “A lot of stuff is available, including music from our past on streaming sites and YouTube. There is a lot out there for people to check out.”
For more information on the show or to purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/4eSTwwN.
To learn more about Cray, visit bit.ly/47ZozVn.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
