Nashville acoustic pop artist, Robby Hecht has has played folk/roots festivals and venues across the country, sharing the stage with such legendary artists as Richie Havens, Greg Brown, and Patty Griffin, and garnering comparisons to early James Taylor, Paul Simon, and Amos Lee. With a slew of awards to his name, Robby is playing Eddie’s Attic this Sunday with Megan McCormick and joined us for our 5GB series.
What’s the first gig you’ve ever attended?
I saw Belly in the 8th grade with my friend Patrick at The Electric Ballroom in Knoxville. It was awesome. We both thought Tanya Donelly was super hot. Our dads came along to keep an eye on us and mine put toilet paper in his ears for the whole show.
What is the best gig that you’ve ever played/performed?
A couple of years ago I was offered the chance to open for Eddi Reader in the Royal Concert Hall at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, Scotland. She sold out the theater so they booked her for a second night and they let me open that show as well. It was my first time playing a venue outside of the US and it was for two thousand people on consecutive nights. Tough to beat!
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
When I was in college I got to see Paul Simon and Bob Dylan when they were touring together. I was going to school in Madison, Wisconsin and we drove six hours up to Duluth, Minnesota to see them play right near Dylan’s hometown of Hibbing. It had rained the day before, so the ground was super muddy and all the tarps felt like waterbeds under our feet. Both of their sets were fantastic and they played “Sounds of Silence” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” as a duo. That was also the day my friend Todd successfully spotted and dodged, as if in slow motion, a falling piece of bird crap. It was legendary.
Gig you would most like to play?
I’ve always wanted to play on A Prairie Home Companion. I’ve listened to the show since I was in my early 20s and it always seems to bring out the best in the featured musicians. It’s helped me discover so much great music over the years. Top of the bucket list for sure.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
I would love to play the Bijou Theater in Knoxville, Tennessee with Jill Andrews. I grew up in Knoxville and have seen a ton of shows at the Bijou but I haven’t ever played there. Jill is one of my favorite writers and singers- she sings all of the harmonies on my new album Last of the Long Days but somehow we’ve never played an official show together.
Catch Robby Hecht Sunday April 15th at Eddie’s Attic
