Robert Ellis Orrall

Infobox Musical artist


Img_size = 150 |
Name = Robert Ellis Orrall
Background = solo_singer
Alias = Bob Something
Born = birth date and age|1955|5|4
Origin = Winthrop, Massachusetts, USA
Instrument = Vocals, rhythm guitar
Genre = Country
Indie rock
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Record producer
Years_active = 1980-present
Label = RCA, Infinity Cat (solo)
Giant (in Orrall & Wright)
Associated_acts = Carlene Carter
Orrall & Wright
Taylor Swift

Robert Ellis Orrall (born May 4, 1955 in Winthrop, Massachusetts) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Signed to RCA Records in 1980, Orrall debuted that year with the single "I Couldn't Say No", a duet with Carlene Carter. By 1990, Orrall found success as a songwriter, having penned singles for Shenandoah and Clay Walker. He charted on the Hot Country Songs charts in 1993 with the singles "Boom! It Was Over" and "A Little Bit of Her Love", from his first country music album, "Flying Colors".

A year after his first solo album, Orrall joined frequent songwriting partner Curtis Wright in the duo Orrall & Wright, recording one more album and charting two singles in that duo. They split up in 1994, however, and Orrall returned to his solo career, writing singles for Reba McEntire, Michael Peterson, and Carolina Rain, as well as producing several other artists' albums. He has also performed as an indie rock musician in the band Monkey Bowl.

Musical career

Beginnings

Born in Winthrop, Massachusetts, Orrall got his musical start playing in various Boston, Massachusetts area clubs. He signed with RCA in 1980 as a rock artist. His three RCA albums, "Fixation", "Special Pain" and "Contain Yourself" were supported with tours opening for U2, The Kinks, and NRBQ. [robertellisorrall.com] Orrall's "Special Pain" also produced his first chart single in "I Couldn't Say No", a duet with Carlene Carter (also her first chart hit) which peaked in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. [http://www.peermusic.com/artistpage/Robert_Ellis_Orrall.html Peermusic - The Independent Major :: Robert Ellis Orrall] ] Carter, like Orrall, would eventually become a country music in her own right.

Nashville

Orrall eventually gained an interest in country music through such acts as Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, and Foster & Lloyd. He then moved to Nashville, Tennessee [http://www.oldies.com/artist-view/Robert-Ellis-Orrall.html Robert Ellis Orrall : OLDIES.com] ] , where he still lives and works today, intending to use his songwriting and record producing skills. One of his first cuts was Shenandoah's "Next to You, Next to Me", which Orrall co-wrote with Curtis Wright.

Shortly after his song topped the charts, Orrall's publisher BMG Music urged him to perform his country/rock songs at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. He was then offered a second record deal with RCA. Titled "Flying Colors", Orrall's first country album produced three charting singles, including a Top 20 in "Boom! It Was Over". In 1993, Clay Walker reached Number One on the country charts with "What's It to You", another Wright co-write.

Orrall & Wright

Orrall and Wright paired up in 1994, forming a duo known as Orrall & Wright. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kzfwxql5ldhe~T1 allmusic (((Curtis Wright > Biography)))] ] [http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1472809/20030617/orrall_robert_ellis.jhtml CMT.com : Robert Ellis Orrall : Robert Ellis Orrall Gets Personal in New Paintings, Albums] ] They recorded one album for Giant Records. After charting two songs on the Billboard charts, "She Loves Me Like She Means It" and "If You Could Say What I'm Thinking", the duo was nominated for Duo of the Year by the Country Music Association. Orrall & Wright split up in 1994, and Orrall moved on to developing and producing new artists.

Late 1990s and 2000s

Orrall continued to write songs and produce records for other country music artists, with Reba McEntire and Michael Peterson also charting singles co-written by him ("What If It's You" for McEntire, and "From Here to Eternity" and "By the Book" for Peterson). He gained an interest in painting, and has held many one-man shows around Nashville.

In 2002, Orrall formed an independent label, called Infinity Cat Recordings. One of the acts signed to that label is fictitious indie rock group Monkey Bowl, in which Orrall assumes the pseudonym "Bob Something". [http://www.infinitycat.com/MonkeyBowl.htm monkey bowl] ] In 2004, the group achieved media attention for its song "Al Gore". [ [http://musicrowdemocrats.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=67 Music Row Democrats - Cut by Cut] ] Written by Orrall, the song features an appearance by former United states vice president and Nobel peace Prize winner Al Gore himself. [ [http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0819-02.htm In Nashville, Sounds of Political Uprising From the Left] ] Among the acts on the the label are JEFF The Brotherhood, which is composed of Orrall's sons, Jamin and Jake. [ [http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/Arts/Music/2007/01/18/The_Cat_s_Out_of_the_Bag/index.shtml Nashville Scene - The Cat's Out of the Bag] ]

In addition, Orrall continues to write songs for other artists, including Carolina Rain's "Get Outta My Way". He also co-produced Taylor Swift's self-titled debut and her 2008 extended play "Beautiful Eyes". Overall, he has written more than 250 songs for other artists [http://tentenmusic.com/writers/robertellisorrall.html] ]

His most recent release is the Victor/SonyBMG track "The Book Of Lies". It is the title track of the "first soundtrack for a book" [http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/08/21/listen-to-an-exclusive-track-from-the-book-of-lies/] ]

Discography

Albums

*"Sweet Nothing" (REO)
*"Big 12 Inch Single" (Sail)
*"Fixation" (1981) (RCA)
*"Special Pain" (1983) (RCA)
*"Contain Yourself" (1984) (RCA)
*"Flying Colors" (1990) (RCA)
*"Plastic 350" (2004) (Infinity Cat) as Monkey Bowl
*"Ultimate" (2008) (Infinity Cat) as Monkey Bowl
*"The Book Of Lies" (2008) (Victor/SonyBMG)

Orrall recorded three other CDs, titled "Mistakes", "Gravity" and "Steffle/Flanders", which were given away only to friends. [ [http://www.tomhambridge.com/grand_ole_opportunity.htm Grand Ole Opportunity] ]

ingles

References