To hell with them all.

I've been asked on occasion ,"What is a roadman's hammer?" and "Why do you use those old pictures?"


The old photos are all related to coal mining. I love working men and women, and there's not much harder work than what the coal miners did and do.

I have a roadman's hammer. Mine is not mythical. That's why I, at times, refer to myself as the Roadman. I have the Hammer and I use it.

"Baby's Like a Train" selected as VIDEO OF THE WEEK by RadioBasile! - October 17, 2008

Robert Stanley selected as a FEATURED ARTIST on LiveBluesWorld.com! - October 4, 2008

Roadman's Hammer called "the best album of the year so far" in Shake Magazine's Fall 2008 issue! - September 2008

SHAKE! MAGAZINE CALLS ROADMAN'S HAMMER "THE BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR SO FAR"!


"Shake! Magazine" - Fall 2008: Nashville
Roadman's Hammer Review

"I've just heard the best album of the year so far. It came totally out of left field for me. Robert Stanley is a local music legend from Waukegan, IL. He is an astute writer, incredibly proficient guitarist, and vocalist extraordinaire.

Recorded in Atlanta, 'Roadman's Hammer' is some of the most melodic, smart 'Rockabluesic' (his term) music that has ever crossed this writer's ears. This is world class stuff. Every tune is well crafted, expertly played and sung with a passion that can only come from years of life experience.

Hard driving, bluesy rockers and tender, meaningful love ballads permeate a record of unfailing quality from start to finish. Bluesman, rocker, tunesmith, guitar hero; all these terms describe Robert 'The Roadman' Stanley.

Simply stated, this is an unforgettable record. Get your copy today. You'll be glad you did!"

I HAVE LONG SUSPECTED THIS!

Now, I must tell you I have long suspected this. I have seen evidence of it but not wanting to sound like I'm tooting my own horn, have told no one. I thought it better to let others speak.

Well, it has been documented and I feel no sense of modesty need prevent me from passing it on to you. What you do with this information is up to you. I, for one, just like to help people. Perhaps you feel the same way.

No less an authority than the book

"A Glossary of Words and Phrases used in S.E. Worcestershire, together with some of the Sayings, Customs, Superstitions, Charms, & c. common in that district" (volume 30)

declares "A roadman's sweat is good for sore eyes."

So I got that going for me. But it gets even better. I have transferred this quality to my album, "Roadman's Hammer" and expanded it to bring great benefit to the ears as well.

Now, I want you all to try this and report back to me, Maybe some of your comments will appear during an all-night infomercial aired on Fred's cable channel in Kenosha, Wisconsin!

Don't thank me, it's all part of my job.

Peace, Love, Rockabluesic,
Robert

THE ROADMAN'S AWARD-WINNING ROCKABLUESIC BARBECUE SAUCE


It's HOT here and my AC is being repaired so I'm thinking about barbecue.

I actually did win an award with my sauce when I lived in Chicago. I've tweaked it and improved it over the years.

Ingredients:

1 32-36 oz. bottle of ketchup
¼ cup vinegar
¼ cup molasses
¼ cup Louisiana-style hot sauce (or add to taste)
3 tablespoons mustard
1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper

Optional (but recommended) ingredients:

¼ cup whisky (the alcohol will evaporate but will give it a nice flavor.)
¼ cup finely chopped onions

Mix all ingredients in a large saucepan.

Heat on top of stove on low setting for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
It's OK to let it simmer very lightly but don't bring  it to a boil.

This works well with pork (ribs especially), chicken, beef, and Rockabluesic. I like it with Muddy Waters. Mmm-mmm!

Tell me how you like it.

Robert

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Just some thoughts I had while writing the songs on Roadman's Hammer.


"BABY'S LIKE A TRAIN"

When my wife first visited me, she arrived by train. She looked so beautiful and confident as she walked in the station. When I wrote this song I thought of that moment I saw her (and many things since). When she left, I ran into the train and announced to everyone that I loved her. It was romantic but not like the movies. Everyone looked at me like a tree full of owls.


"WHO THAT GIRL?"

This is an evolving story beginning when I first met my wife, who was a jazz and ballet dancer. She certainly caught my attention and I never forgot her after that.


"ROLLIN' HOME"

This is an autobiographical song about my life's journeys. No regrets for the road I took.


"CHANGES"

A song about how I deal with challenges. If we were perfect, we wouldn't need to change. I do.


"SHE KNOW HOW TO LOVE ME"

She love incarnate! She's "like a train", she's "that girl."


"I HEARD"

This song is about the deception we face everyday and whether we'll choose to succumb to the lies that are so subtle at times we don't even detect them unless we open our eyes and choose to fight.


"ON AND ON"

A love song to my wife. I was on my back porch and saw her in the garden and I was overcome by her beauty and my love for her.


"I COULD SAY I LOVE YOU"

This story is only half completed in reality but it looks forward to how I expect it to come to pass.


"CHILDREN OF MY LOVE"

An instrumental. Don't worry if you don't hear any vocals. Perhaps you should be concerned if you hear some. This is a love song with my children in mind. From my first on, they are my happy thoughts.


"SWEET PEACE, SWEET LOVE"

This is about not letting the trees hide the forest. Peace and love is here but most people walk right by it. I find it ironic that they then complain about not having it.


"THE MOUNTAIN AND THE VALLEY"

This was originally written as a psychedelic song before I actually focused on coming up with lyrics. Nothing seemed to move me so I totally revamped the song while keeping the chord progression - two chords, some progression. It's the old adage about leading a horse to water...except I'm not interested in a horse.


"SO MANY ROADS"

They're all pretty much aliases for the same thing-a dead end. When you're in the maze, you grope blindly. Someone needs to be able to look down on the maze. I'm convinced there's always a way out.

Love, Peace, Rockabluesic,
Robert