Biography

Gypsy Alibi - Album of the year - Texas Music Awards 2011
BOB LIVINGSTON

Bob Livingston sits on rock wall playing his guitar. Singer-songwriter BOB LIVINGSTON has never been a traditional Texas country musician living the honky-tonk life, even though he's spent more than his share of time on the roadhouse circuit with some of the most colorful musicians in Texas. As a member of Austin’s legendary Lost Gonzo Band, performing and recording with such musical visionaries as Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Martin Murphey and Ray Wylie Hubbard, Livingston played an integral role in creating the music that first earned Austin the designation of 'Live Music Capital of the World'. Achieving recognition in their own right, the Gonzos’ self-titled debut record was named by 'Rolling Stone', "one of the best albums ever to come out of Austin".

Livingston has seen a lot of the world since growing up in musically fertile West Texas. Hailing originally from Lubbock, his interests were more 'Cosmic' than 'Cowboy' and have prompted him to delve into the music and mysteries of many cultures. Traveling since the 80’s as a Music Ambassador for the US State Department, Livingston has taken Texas music as far afield as India, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, demonstrating again and again the unique power that music has to build bridges between peoples of the world. As Livingston says, 'When all else fails, music prevails'. This philosophy earned him the honor of being appointed, 'Austin’s International Music Ambassador', in November of 2009 by the City Council.

This world-traveled view was reflected in Livingston's 2004 CD, 'Mahatma Gandhi & Sitting Bull', released on Vireo Records and named in the Austin American-Statesman's "Top 10 List." In 2008, Vireo released a compilation called, 'Original Spirit', that includes 'Gandhi & Bull' in its entirety and several more surprise tracks from Livingston's Lost Gonzo Band days. But it's his new CD, 'Gypsy Alibi', that is defining Livingston's new musical direction. Released in 2011 on New Wilderness Records, 'Gypsy Alibi' is co-produced by Lloyd Maines and is the winner of the "Album of the Year" at the Texas Music Awards 2011. It has more of a folk-rock/Americana spirit than his last outing and is enjoying steady radio airplay around the country and abroad. Listen to "Ruby's Shoes, "Country Western Swing," and "Androids Lament."

In a side project, Livingston plays with a multi-cultural band from Texas and India called Cowboys & Indians supported by the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Austin's Cultural Arts Division. They play in schools and theaters all over Texas. Livingston is turning the concept into a full-fledged musical play with Houston playright/songwriter, Bobby Bridger. The first performances are scheduled for the summer of 2012.

In a live performance with Bob Livingston, one finds a veteran singer-songwriter and a master storyteller who captures his audience from the first notes played. It's an irresistible invitation to travel down the cosmic musical highways and rutted back country roads where fate has taken him over the years.

Check out his music, history and photos on Facebook and...Be A Friend! www.Facebook.com/boblivingston

(For more information about the Lost Gonzo Band go to the Lost Gonzo Band Home Page.

Click Here To View & Download a Bob Livingston Press Photo (300 dpi)



A Few Words of Support:

“Livingston’s always been a songwriter of the first order…he’s got a master’s way with words and music. ‘On A Dream With You’ pairs Livingston’s gentle tenor with the silky-voiced Eliza Gilkyson for a language duet that’s already receiving well-deserved airplay.” -Margaret Moser, Austin Chronicle

''It is great to hear an album from an Austin musician that doesn't revolve around frat boy patroninzation. No beer references, no hollerin' Texas, no not even the roadtrip offering. What you will find is an adult album aimed at the Country crowd from a longtime Texas music hero. Bob Livingston has ties to Jerry Jeff's Lost Gonzo Band, Gonzo Compadres, etc., what you'll find is true Texas music! This is the kind of album that will take years to build up it's "resume" as on of Texas' best. You won't find this one on the shelves at Wal-Mart, but this is one of the diamonds in the rough that needs an ear! It is released on Austin's Vireo Records.....the same label where I first discovered Charlie & Bruce Robison 10 years back. Bob Livingston is no newcomer, however his time has arrived to take center stage!'' - Bruce Kidder, Program Director KHYI, Dallas

“This record combines the energy of a young musician just discovering his voice with the integrity of a veteran that knows how to use it. This world needs this record now more than ever! Our listeners suggest, ‘On A Dream With You’…I couldn’t agree more.” - Mattson Rainer, Program Director of KNBT, Americana ‘Station of the Year 2004’

“A marvelous piece of work.I’m stung..this CD just blew me away.” - Ed Miller, “Folkways” KUT, Austin

“To these ears, it is one-cosmically cool platter, making it one of the most refreshing listening experiences I’ve had in far too long.” -Rob Patterson, Country Music People, UK


Bob Livingston: A Partial Discography

Bob Livingston CDs

Waking Up (Wilderness); 1981
Signs Of Life (Wilderness); 1988
Open The Window (Gentle Wind); 1996
Mahatma Gandhi & Sitting Bull (Vireo); 2003
Everything Is All Right (TMI); 2004
Original Spirit (Vireo) 2006
Gypsy Alibi (New Wilderness Records); 2011

With The Lost Gonzo Band

The Lost Gonzo Band (MCA); 1972
Thrills (MCA); 1976
Signs Of Life (Capitol); 1978
Rendezvous (Vireo); 1991
Hands Of Time (Vireo); 1995
Dead Armadillos (Demon/Edsel); 1998

With Jerry Jeff Walker

Jerry Jeff Walker (MCA); 1972
Viva Terlingua! (MCA); 1973
Walker’s Collectibles (MCA); 1974
Ridin’ High (MCA); 1975
It’s A Good Night For Singin’ (MCA); 1976
A Man Must Carry On (MCA); 1977
Great Gonzos (MCA); 1991
Gypsey Songman (Tried ‘n True); 1986)
Navaho Rug (Rycodisk); 1991
Hill Country Rain (Rycodisk); 1992
Viva Lukenbach (Rycodisk); 1993
Christmas Gonzo Style (Rycodisk); 1994
Night After Night (Tried ‘n True); 1995
Scamp (Tried ‘n True); 1996
Cowboy Boots and Bathing Suits (Tried ‘n True); 1997
Lone Wolf: The Best of Jerry Jeff Walker (1998)
Gypsey Songman (Tried ‘n True); 1999
Gonzo Stew (Tried ‘n True); 2001
Jerry Jeff Walker Too Old To Change (2003)

With Michael Martin Murphey

Geronimo’s Cadillac (A&M); 1972
Cosmic Cowboy Souvenir (A&M); 1973

Best of the Rest...

Ray Wiley Hubbard: Something About The Night (Renegade); 1979
Ray Wylie Hubbard Loco Gringos Lament (1994)
Steven Fromholtz: Steven Fromholtz (Capitol); 1977
Steven Fromholtz: Frommox II 1982
Bobby Bridger: Seekers Of The Fleece (Golden Egg); 1975
Bobby Bridger: Ballad Of The West (Golden Egg); 2001
Bobby Bridger: Complete Works (Golden Egg); 2004
Terry Allen: The Moral Minority (Fate); 1995
Pat Green: Carry On (Universal) 2000
Pat Green: Three Days (Universal); 2001
Peter Caulton: Hard Road Tough Country (1998)
Pat Green: Carry On (2001)
Cory Morrow: Outside the Lines (2002)
Mark David Manders Highs and Lows (2002)
Owen Temple: General Store (2002)
Larry Joe Taylor: Heart of the Matter (2000)
Various Artists Kerrville Folk Festival: Early Years 1972-1981
Various Artists Stranger Than Fiction (1999)
Bill Oliver: Texas Oasis 1980 (Live Oak)
Bill Oliver: Better Things To Do 1986 (Live Oak)
Bill Oliver: Audubon Adventures 1987 (Live Oak)
Bill Oliver: Have To Have A Habitat 1995 (Live Oak)
Bill Oliver: Friend of the River 2001 (Live Oak)
Butch Hancock: Own & Own (1989)
Butch Hancock: Own the Way Over Here (1993)
Gary P. Nunn: Under My Hat (1996)
Chris Wall: Cowboy Nation (1999)