Local Music Feature: Cashing in
Respected singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash, well known as a staunch supporter of the creative arts, occasionally holds a series of songwriter’s workshops in New York City. At one, Atlanta native Robert Burke Warren was able to break down the walls blocking his creative energy, and forge a productive friendship with the influential Cash.
An original member of RuPaul’s first band, Wee Wee Pole, in the early ’80s, Warren also played bass with garage rawk revivalists the Fleshtones, and held the lead role in the London stage production of “The Buddy Holly Story.” But writing original material was always a struggle. Warren describes how the blossoming relationship with Cash opened his mind: “She was able to foster an environment of encouragement and support in the workshops. The quality of active listening and the constructive criticism was incredibly nurturing.”
Warren utilized the experience to complete his critically acclaimed debut, ... To This Day, in 2001. Cash was so impressed with his lyrical skills that for a little help with “44 Stories” from her recent album, Rules of Travel, she called on Warren. Cash and her husband, producer/guitarist John Leventhal, performed in return on a track on Warren’s newest release, Lazyeye (available at www.robertbwarren.com).
Acknowledging that Cash has had an incredibly tragic year, Warren points out that Cash “lives the way she writes — open, honest and thoughtful. She is working on a new album that will probably be her best work ever, given that she lost her father, stepmother [Johnny and June Carter Cash, respectively], and her stepsister all within the span of a year.” If anyone can channel the grief into something special, she can.
Rosanne Cash performs at the Atlanta Botanical Garden Fri., July 23, 8 p.m. $30.
An original member of RuPaul’s first band, Wee Wee Pole, in the early ’80s, Warren also played bass with garage rawk revivalists the Fleshtones, and held the lead role in the London stage production of “The Buddy Holly Story.” But writing original material was always a struggle. Warren describes how the blossoming relationship with Cash opened his mind: “She was able to foster an environment of encouragement and support in the workshops. The quality of active listening and the constructive criticism was incredibly nurturing.”
Warren utilized the experience to complete his critically acclaimed debut, ... To This Day, in 2001. Cash was so impressed with his lyrical skills that for a little help with “44 Stories” from her recent album, Rules of Travel, she called on Warren. Cash and her husband, producer/guitarist John Leventhal, performed in return on a track on Warren’s newest release, Lazyeye (available at www.robertbwarren.com).
Acknowledging that Cash has had an incredibly tragic year, Warren points out that Cash “lives the way she writes — open, honest and thoughtful. She is working on a new album that will probably be her best work ever, given that she lost her father, stepmother [Johnny and June Carter Cash, respectively], and her stepsister all within the span of a year.” If anyone can channel the grief into something special, she can.
Rosanne Cash performs at the Atlanta Botanical Garden Fri., July 23, 8 p.m. $30.