ROB McHALE is a North Carolina-based Folk-Americana songwriter and storyteller whose songs can take you down a dirt road, through a small town or on an historical journey, and bring you back home again.
In January 2020 Rob was awarded Folk Artist of the Year 2019 by the IMEA (International Music and Entertainment Association) and his album “Prophets on the Boulevard” was awarded Folk Album of the Year. It also charted at #8 on the Folk DJ Charts and was in the Top 100 Folk Albums of 2018.
Rob performs in the US solo, regionally with his band, and tours the US and Europe solo. His band features his brother Pat on harmonica, Frank Berridge on Bass, Jim Singer on violin and Peter McCranie on dobro. In addition to general performances, Rob also presents shows with songs and stories rich in history about some of these great legends about small towns, Woody Guthrie, Tom Dooley, George Custer, legendary railways and more.
As a follow up to Rob’s 2016 release “Tom Dooley and Friends” (#8 on the Folk DJ Charts with two Top 10 songs) Rob started a podcast channel in January of 2020, Real America History. In the first episode he features The Real Tom Dooley Story as he tells it at the grave of Laura Foster (for whom Tom was hanged for murdering) at the Happy Valley Fiddler’s Convention. The festival is in the heart of Tom Dooley Country, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Listen to this 22-minute story on all streaming channels and also on the YouTube link below.
Rob’s newest release “40 Ford Coupe” (September 2020) is an historical compilation of 11 of his previously recorded songs about some of the greatest historical and folk legends from America with the exception the of the new release of the title track.
Rob will be returning to tour the UK in October 2021
“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
Rob is supported by the team at Country Music Social Media and his song “”Surrounded Again”” is included on their third compilation CD.
