Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hartfeat Saint Louis with akag Holiday bringing you the pulse
of the city.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Hey, what's up this boy? Doctor j the DJ Holiday?
Speaker 3 (00:15):
And today is one of those days where it's almost
like you watch your family member grow up and they
become like this phenomenon, if I may say, and today
I have the privilege and the honor of interviewing a
guy that I'm not gonna say I discovered him because
(00:40):
I didn't discover him.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
I did not.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
All these people be like, man, did you discover No,
I ain't discovering.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
I heard him, and then there were a lot of
events that I was a part of, and I made
sure that he had an opportunity to uh grace the
stage and bless everybody with his voice. And that's none
other than my man we or Robinson in the building.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
What's going on? What's going on? Man?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
How you doing? Brother?
Speaker 5 (01:13):
I feels amazing to be here and I'm doing great.
Everything is wonderful, no complaints whatsoever.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Okay, So let's.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Just get it started as to why I'm talking to you,
because right now you know you you are in a
legendary group. Man After seven, absolutely After seven one of
the best to do it. Oh no, if you ask me,
I think they are the best to do it. I
don't think there's a song that they have that after
seven have out now that is that is not a hit, right,
(01:45):
you know what I mean? So I'm just wondering. Man,
let's go back, Let's go back.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Uh. Born and raised in Saint Louis.
Speaker 5 (01:52):
Absolutely, born and raised in Saint Louis. A couple of
blocks off of King's Highway in the city.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
A couple of blocks off of King's Highway. Now you
do know there's two questions. I gotta ask you, all right,
what hospital was you born in? Not to Bonn's Born's
hospital right now? Was it Boy's or Borne's Jewish?
Speaker 5 (02:13):
I believe it was Bourne's Jewish. Yes, definitely, definitely Born's Jewish.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Okay, okay, all right, now you know the question coming
or the other one?
Speaker 2 (02:23):
You know what it is? Of course you know what
high school?
Speaker 5 (02:26):
Oh Man, condetonation all day, last, graduating class of CBC
High School on the Clayton campus.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Okay, on Clayton campus, Yes, sir, Crowdbaby College.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Better than color Boys correction right.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Anyway, graduated cbcyes sir, All right, did you get a
chance to do any type of military college or anything
like that.
Speaker 5 (02:51):
I went from there to Loyola University in New Orleans
and studied music business as well as jazz studies. I
actually went in as a drumming I went in for
jazz percussion. And it was actually within those four years
of being down there that I switched to as far
(03:12):
as just my artistry, primarily wanting to be a vocalist
as opposed to a musician.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Okay, all right, and did you pledge?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
I did pledge.
Speaker 5 (03:23):
I had the honor of pledging the only fraternity that
being Capipha Side Fraternity Incorporated. Was a charter member of
the chapter that is now celebrating twenty years on the
yard down there at Loyola. So shout out to Omicron
ups line the outlaws they are.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Okay, all right, now let's go back to the beginnings.
I got to hit you with this one. What was
your very first vocal performance here in Saint Louis?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
You know what I mean? Was it at Samfers? Was
it a thirty something?
Speaker 3 (04:02):
There?
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Was it club celebration?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Where was that first Will Robinson performance?
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Not the one that you did in front of your parents,
that's funny.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Not the one you did at the Chuch, you know,
because I see the choir I got, you know what
I'm saying, Where.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Was that Bary first Will Robinson.
Speaker 5 (04:29):
For you know, it's actually it would have to be
between one of two places. It would either be I
remember they used to have jam sessions at the del
Maar right now that was formerly Mission Taco.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
There's some taco joint.
Speaker 5 (04:52):
I actually went there the other day, but right there
at that corner used to be across the street from
six on nine they had this jam session with Shari
Swan and a few other cats, and I had the
opportunity of being called up for that another one which
again I'm not sure which one came before the other,
(05:12):
but I definitely did Cafe Soul at the Lofty, Yes, now,
that was definitely one one of the performances in which
that group of individuals, those that loved to go out
and here live music, especially with it being one of
the only or more premier, shall we say, open mic
(05:34):
nights with a live band. That's where they got a
glimpse of me, and that segued into me doing Soul
for Sundays at the end spot for a little bit
further up, del Mar but yeah, we used to rock
that every Sunday night. I mean for a place that
only had the capacity for you know, maybe.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Maybe sixty people.
Speaker 5 (05:57):
We would pack that suck out every Sunday. And that's
that's where the whole culmination of all of this just began.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Okay, I'm gonna hit you with another one. All right,
What was the first song at the performance?
Speaker 2 (06:11):
What was the first song? Come on?
Speaker 5 (06:13):
It might have been probably was never too Much, Never
too much, Never too much Luther Vandro Luther.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
So I have to say, this, man, one of the
greatest performances I've ever seen you do.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
I never will forget it.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
And I was, and I thank you for duplicating it
at my anniversary part, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
We were down down at Ballpark Village. You hit the
stage and you did Purple Range.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
I was like, how does this guy straight up sound
like Prince?
Speaker 5 (06:47):
That was I remember that show. We actually that was
the last song that we did.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (06:55):
That was also the first opportunity opening up for a
major act. It was myself opening up for the group
sw V at Ballpark Village sold out, I mean.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Standing room only. Uh.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
That at that point in time was definitely one of
my larger audiences. So to be at that stage even better,
My grandmother and my mother were in attendance at that
Oh wow, and that was like one of the first times,
you know, you know, I had old school parents, My
grandparents were educators, and to even continue to follow through
(07:32):
and pursue music for them, you know, it was it
was a challenge.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
It was you know, I had to.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
Prove why it was I was doing what I did
and explain uh, you know, my calling and knowing that hey,
this is this is what I want to do, this,
this is me. So for her to experience that and
be in the audience, it was it was a beautiful thing.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Oh man.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
I mean, you know, like I think the entire place
Prince was on stage what's happening career? Because I heard
it and I was like, dude, hey man, I'm having
this this event.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
I'm gonna need you to do that same thing at
myde Yes. Yeah, So it was real good.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
So growing up in Saint Louis being a musician, I'm
sure that you had the opportunity to be at.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
So many places here in Saint Louis.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Tell me what is one of your biggest moments you
know that you've had, you know, being here in Saint louis.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
The biggest moments.
Speaker 5 (08:38):
I believe my event that I had so for Sundays,
you know, we took that every Sunday night of live
music to three different venues, essentially starting at the End
Spot and then going to Lola, which forever would be
a lot of a lot of one, you know, the
(08:58):
favorite hangout spot when Washington, uh, you know, was was
getting started and being that entertainment district and we had
a great time all White Anniversary shows and we closed
that venue out. You know when when Lola closed, it
was it was heartbreaking, but at the end of the day,
(09:19):
you know, our work had been done, and you know
we took it to knockoutside in the county, in North
County and uh yeah. But it also again it just
brought other opportunities being at spots like Utopia. You know,
you said thirty something earlier and I was like, damn.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
See.
Speaker 5 (09:38):
The thing too with me is I had the opportunity
to grow up with uncles people that I call uncles,
that being Tony James and.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
The late great Jean Lynn.
Speaker 5 (09:49):
Yes, so being able to hang around those spots, you know,
you would my parents knew this. This guy is my
father especially, he said, this guy's going to be a musician,
he's gonna be an entertainer. My homework was done, chores
was done. Guess what we're going to thirty something. We're
about to hear Pee, Todd Williams and the crew, all
of those and you're just gonna sit back be saying
(10:09):
not be seen, not you know, chill out, and uh,
you know that's kind of how I grew up, knowing
those musicians and everyone that paved the way and were
you know, that musical example for me to get to
you know, this this great portion of my life right now.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
So speaking of this great portion of your life right now, uh,
you have an it's an interesting story on how this happened. Yes,
thankies and gentlemen, let me say this. This man is
a member of the renowned group After seven. This this
is my boy, Will Roberson. He's part of After seven.
(10:47):
Y'all y'all know the group, don't y'all nice?
Speaker 4 (10:50):
Like?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Oh yeah, you know you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 5 (10:53):
Kids, Stop hu, you know that's right how I feel?
Speaker 2 (10:58):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 6 (10:59):
I thought, why then aren't you know you you digging
on me and we know weed girl, indeed.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Yeah, And so how did this come about?
Speaker 6 (11:15):
Man?
Speaker 2 (11:15):
How did you get into After Shoot?
Speaker 5 (11:17):
By the grace of God and just being faithful to
my craft, I had the pleasure of meeting our renowned manager,
mister Jamil Graves on a couple of occasions in which
the first time, Uh, you know, it was an introduction
and you know, pretty much this whole questionnaire of what
(11:39):
it is that I'm trying to do, and UH lost
contact for three years and eventually, based on another performance,
UH ran into him and from then it was like, okay,
now we're talking.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
Let's let's let's see what this is about.
Speaker 5 (11:58):
And you know, I went in to full tunnel vision
choreography training, certain things and certain elements in which you know,
I had to adapt vocally to what it is that
After Seventh Sound you know, has been known for not
(12:19):
to say that I changed my stop clup, but at
the same time I had to be able to capture
the essence not only of After seven but also of
the late great Melvin Edmunds, one of the original lead
singers of the group. So at that time, you know,
going through all the training, had the audition with Cavon
Edmonds in which he came here in order to see
(12:42):
me perform. And I think after one yeah, we had
only one rehearsal in which I had to go to
Atlanta to rehearse as a principal. And the following weekend
I had my first tour date in Chicago on tour
with Stephanie Mells, Elder Bars, Evelyn Champagne King Howard Hewett
(13:04):
was on that joint as well. And I've been going
ever since almost two years with the group, loving every
minute of it, loving it.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Now let me ask you this, yes, now, how how
is it? What you you know?
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Like you you just performed locally here in Saint Louis
in comparison to being on this national stage. Do you
feel like the people of Saint Louis kind of helped
prepare you for this?
Speaker 5 (13:36):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (13:37):
You know what I mean, because you know absolutely, you
know we we we we.
Speaker 5 (13:42):
Just you know, some of the finest critics you'll you'll
ever see, you know, and it's it's a beautiful thing,
you know, for me when I got started, and and
I feel like some singers can attest to this. You know,
when you have a smaller audience, you find a way
to create we ate this intimacy with your listener. I
(14:03):
remember when we did our first Soul for Sundays, at
least for the first three weeks at the end spot,
you know, we were lucky if we had ten people
in the audience. Ten people grew to thirty people. Thirty
people ended up turning into Hey, it's one hundred and
twenty folks in here standing room only.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
Y'all gonna need a bigger venue.
Speaker 5 (14:24):
And for me, that allowed me to, you know, be
groomed and ready to take on an audience of now
three thousand, of now fifteen thousand. It's yeah, Saint Louis,
y'all did y'all thing. I've been prepared and ready for
this moment. And again it's just a blessing to even
(14:47):
get to this point and still got work to do.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
So I'm loving it.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
Yeah, So how is it? You know, how has life
changed for you? You know, because you was on this
local stage. Now you're on this national stage and platform.
Everything you do, everybody's watching, everybody's looking, you know what
I'm saying, right, I mean, and it's not only just
(15:12):
Saint Louis. I mean it's people from all over the world. Absolutely,
you give what I'm saying. How is life in that arena?
You know what I'm saying. If I'm a young kid
and I'm listening to this your hometown guy that went
from you know, being on this local scene to the
national scene with after seven, Who's come to town by
the way? And we're gonna get to that in a
(15:33):
few seconds.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
But how is that?
Speaker 5 (15:36):
It's an interesting feeling, It's a great feeling. I try
not to specify on numbers too much, but for me,
like I said, to go from an audience of thirty
to fifteen thousand is something that I've worked hard and
have dreamed of doing.
Speaker 4 (15:53):
Right.
Speaker 5 (15:53):
But here's the other thing that recently I've kind of
acquired and loved doing. When I'm any where, whether it
be a restaurant or lounge or whatever, Uh listen on
the radio, I now tune in to what it is
that's playing. And for me, now I'm playing the game
of out of all of these people, I'm listening to,
whoever I worked with, whoever I introduced, uh introduced myself to,
(16:18):
who is still not heard the voice of Will Robinson
in which I know that I am not only putting
in them more work, but I'm lessening that those degrees
of separation. That's that's probably one of the dopest feelings
about it, knowing that I'm able to grab the ears
and listeners of you know folks, share new followers based
(16:43):
on my performances with these other artists.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Uh, it's it's great. It's it's what I've worked for.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
All right.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
And speaking of being great, well, you know After Seven's
coming to town. You guys going to be here in September. Yeah,
I think with the Urban League of Metropolitan.
Speaker 5 (16:59):
Sing correct, we'll be doing the Salute to women and
leadership evening that being on the September thirteenth.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
And then you guys are going to be at the
City Winery all right, September fourteenth.
Speaker 5 (17:13):
September fourteenth, doing two shows. So I'll be sticking around
the hometown for a little second. And it feels good
to be back. Saint Louis was actually my second show
kind of by default, when I first started with the group,
So it's now been almost two years since people here
have had the chance to see me on stage, not
(17:35):
only in general, but at the same time as a
member of an established member of After seven, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
I'm to say, you won't be that local hometown. You
still be local hometown, you know, homeboy. But it's like y'all,
you know he's in After seven And I know I
got man. You know, I'm gonna tell you, I got
some people going BJ. Do you know them? I think you?
And what's what's that dude named Cavan? Because you know Cavan?
(18:06):
Is that his name?
Speaker 2 (18:07):
You know what I'm saying? Yeah, they like BJ? Do
you know them? Can you get a picture? Can I
get a picture with?
Speaker 3 (18:17):
I'm telling you, man, it's.
Speaker 4 (18:20):
Gonna be hot. It's really gonna be hot. You know.
After seven has a.
Speaker 5 (18:27):
Has not only not necessarily a niche, but they have
a style in which is uncomparable to any other R
and B group. And when I mean that, I'm saying
the storytelling, the love, love and relationships, the choreography, I
mean I would I could have never dreamt of this moment.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Let alone know that. You know, how was I supposed
to know that.
Speaker 5 (18:52):
My work and efforts as a as a solo singer
would allow me to now be in a position to
learn core giography, dance moves and and you know, take
part in this this trio style of R and B
music the I mean the stuff that I grew up
listening to in timeless hits.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Times. We can't dance, oh lord, oh lord.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
I've seen him trying to dance before. I just had
to point that out cause you know where you know
people there going. You know, I learned, you know, choreography, you.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Will can't that, but.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
You know what's funning the stem?
Speaker 2 (19:36):
Hey, you got it, man.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
It's funny.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
I remember days of doing shows that the Rusty Goat
and you know they got that stage dead center. I
remember somebody, I think it was the promoter, was like,
yeah we had somebody looked at me and was like, yeah,
will don't fall off that glass stage the way, you know,
just stumping like, man, I ain't gonna fall. Don't worry
about it. Y'all got me out here in hard bottoms,
but best believe. Oh yeah, we get down on No. No,
(20:00):
I saw, I saw.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
I've seen it man that I can't wait to see
it on Uh. You know, like I said, with the
Urban League on September thirteenth, if you want to get
tickets for that, you go to u l st o
dot com and then uh the City Winery for two
big shows on the fourteenth, and if you want to
get tickets for that, you go to the City Winery,
now you know, Okay, so you know you you you
(20:24):
you you used to rip up the purple ring, right,
So I'm not gonna have you. I'm I'm not gonna
put you on the spot. Man, You're not gonna do that. Now. See,
I gotta hear you sing one of the After seven
doing you know, like you know, something like what about
like baby for real?
Speaker 6 (20:45):
Really?
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Yeah? All the pouts that's my points, yeah yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
Yeah, yeah. You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
I'm just saying, man, you know, because we need to
hear us after.
Speaker 5 (20:56):
You know what I'm saying not to so that means
you want to hear the bab ba baby.
Speaker 4 (21:02):
You don't understand.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
How much I love you, baby, how much I wanna
be your ronine? Man, are you trying to get the
I'll give you the sun, the rain, the moon, stars
and the mountains.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
I don't give you the world.
Speaker 4 (21:28):
I mean they gonna get it all that night. You
gotta be there.
Speaker 5 (21:32):
I'm telling you my Saint Louis family, my hometown, my
home team.
Speaker 4 (21:36):
September fourteenth.
Speaker 5 (21:38):
If you haven't seen After seven if you've never seen
me now with the group, by all means, make your
way to City Winery, Saint Louis, Midtown, September fourteenth. There
are gonna be two shows. There's gonna be one at
five pm and then there's another at eight thirty pm.
Tickets are definitely available for you to perch is a
(22:00):
sap because I would love to see you while there's
so great to be home and after seven can't wait
to bring you that experience we always talking about.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
Yay man, Will, thank you so much Man for taking
our time to you know, be here. One last question,
if you had to talk to the young Will and
give him a motivational you know words, because there's a
(22:28):
lot of young people man that that are slipping into
you you know your you know your shoes right now,
you know what I mean. They're slipping in there and
they're gonna walk this path just like.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Like you did. What would you say to that young Will.
Speaker 5 (22:45):
Oh Man, I would definitely say that remember that music
is a heartbeat that never stops. It is a relationship
that is always faithful to you as long as you
were faithful to it.
Speaker 4 (23:05):
It is ever evolving.
Speaker 5 (23:07):
And with that you two must evolve, and you know
that could be on so many different facets, from the
song selections, the venues, the opportunities in which you know
you may be where you want to be, but you're
not making what it is that you'd like to put
in your pocket. All of these things and all of
(23:28):
these accounts are what's going to make what's for you
in the future the utmost worthwhile. And just keep up
the fight. You know, giving up is not an option.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
Hey man, you know what, Thank you for that, man.
I appreciating that.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
Thank you for allowing me as an honor for me
to be able to have had this opportunity to sit
and talk with you man, because you have an amazing story.
My brother, keep on going, man, Thank Louis. We we
just we just loving on you man, and appreciate we
just appreciate you representing us, you know, like you do
and and how you you're you're carrying yourself.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
We we just thank you. Thank you so much. Man,
We appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (24:15):
Appreciate that, my brother. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
This has been another edition of ourtfeat Saint Louis with
J d J, A K A b J. Holiday, bringing
you the pulse of the city
Hartfeat Saint Louis with akag Holiday bringing you the pulse
of the city.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Hey, what's up this boy? Doctor j the DJ Holiday?
Speaker 3 (00:15):
And today is one of those days where it's almost
like you watch your family member grow up and they
become like this phenomenon, if I may say, and today
I have the privilege and the honor of interviewing a
guy that I'm not gonna say I discovered him because
(00:40):
I didn't discover him.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
I did not.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
All these people be like, man, did you discover No,
I ain't discovering.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
I heard him, and then there were a lot of
events that I was a part of, and I made
sure that he had an opportunity to uh grace the
stage and bless everybody with his voice. And that's none
other than my man we or Robinson in the building.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
What's going on? What's going on? Man?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
How you doing? Brother?
Speaker 5 (01:13):
I feels amazing to be here and I'm doing great.
Everything is wonderful, no complaints whatsoever.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Okay, So let's.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Just get it started as to why I'm talking to you,
because right now you know you you are in a
legendary group. Man After seven, absolutely After seven one of
the best to do it. Oh no, if you ask me,
I think they are the best to do it. I
don't think there's a song that they have that after
seven have out now that is that is not a hit, right,
(01:45):
you know what I mean? So I'm just wondering. Man,
let's go back, Let's go back.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Uh. Born and raised in Saint Louis.
Speaker 5 (01:52):
Absolutely, born and raised in Saint Louis. A couple of
blocks off of King's Highway in the city.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
A couple of blocks off of King's Highway. Now you
do know there's two questions. I gotta ask you, all right,
what hospital was you born in? Not to Bonn's Born's
hospital right now? Was it Boy's or Borne's Jewish?
Speaker 5 (02:13):
I believe it was Bourne's Jewish. Yes, definitely, definitely Born's Jewish.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Okay, okay, all right, now you know the question coming
or the other one?
Speaker 2 (02:23):
You know what it is? Of course you know what
high school?
Speaker 5 (02:26):
Oh Man, condetonation all day, last, graduating class of CBC
High School on the Clayton campus.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Okay, on Clayton campus, Yes, sir, Crowdbaby College.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Better than color Boys correction right.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Anyway, graduated cbcyes sir, All right, did you get a
chance to do any type of military college or anything
like that.
Speaker 5 (02:51):
I went from there to Loyola University in New Orleans
and studied music business as well as jazz studies. I
actually went in as a drumming I went in for
jazz percussion. And it was actually within those four years
of being down there that I switched to as far
(03:12):
as just my artistry, primarily wanting to be a vocalist
as opposed to a musician.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Okay, all right, and did you pledge?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
I did pledge.
Speaker 5 (03:23):
I had the honor of pledging the only fraternity that
being Capipha Side Fraternity Incorporated. Was a charter member of
the chapter that is now celebrating twenty years on the
yard down there at Loyola. So shout out to Omicron
ups line the outlaws they are.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Okay, all right, now let's go back to the beginnings.
I got to hit you with this one. What was
your very first vocal performance here in Saint Louis?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
You know what I mean? Was it at Samfers? Was
it a thirty something?
Speaker 3 (04:02):
There?
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Was it club celebration?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Where was that first Will Robinson performance?
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Not the one that you did in front of your parents,
that's funny.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Not the one you did at the Chuch, you know,
because I see the choir I got, you know what
I'm saying, Where.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Was that Bary first Will Robinson.
Speaker 5 (04:29):
For you know, it's actually it would have to be
between one of two places. It would either be I
remember they used to have jam sessions at the del
Maar right now that was formerly Mission Taco.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
There's some taco joint.
Speaker 5 (04:52):
I actually went there the other day, but right there
at that corner used to be across the street from
six on nine they had this jam session with Shari
Swan and a few other cats, and I had the
opportunity of being called up for that another one which
again I'm not sure which one came before the other,
(05:12):
but I definitely did Cafe Soul at the Lofty, Yes, now,
that was definitely one one of the performances in which
that group of individuals, those that loved to go out
and here live music, especially with it being one of
the only or more premier, shall we say, open mic
(05:34):
nights with a live band. That's where they got a
glimpse of me, and that segued into me doing Soul
for Sundays at the end spot for a little bit
further up, del Mar but yeah, we used to rock
that every Sunday night. I mean for a place that
only had the capacity for you know, maybe.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Maybe sixty people.
Speaker 5 (05:57):
We would pack that suck out every Sunday. And that's
that's where the whole culmination of all of this just began.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Okay, I'm gonna hit you with another one. All right,
What was the first song at the performance?
Speaker 2 (06:11):
What was the first song? Come on?
Speaker 5 (06:13):
It might have been probably was never too Much, Never
too much, Never too much Luther Vandro Luther.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
So I have to say, this, man, one of the
greatest performances I've ever seen you do.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
I never will forget it.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
And I was, and I thank you for duplicating it
at my anniversary part, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
We were down down at Ballpark Village. You hit the
stage and you did Purple Range.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
I was like, how does this guy straight up sound
like Prince?
Speaker 5 (06:47):
That was I remember that show. We actually that was
the last song that we did.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (06:55):
That was also the first opportunity opening up for a
major act. It was myself opening up for the group
sw V at Ballpark Village sold out, I mean.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Standing room only. Uh.
Speaker 5 (07:08):
That at that point in time was definitely one of
my larger audiences. So to be at that stage even better,
My grandmother and my mother were in attendance at that
Oh wow, and that was like one of the first times,
you know, you know, I had old school parents, My
grandparents were educators, and to even continue to follow through
(07:32):
and pursue music for them, you know, it was it
was a challenge.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
It was you know, I had to.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
Prove why it was I was doing what I did
and explain uh, you know, my calling and knowing that hey,
this is this is what I want to do, this,
this is me. So for her to experience that and
be in the audience, it was it was a beautiful thing.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Oh man.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
I mean, you know, like I think the entire place
Prince was on stage what's happening career? Because I heard
it and I was like, dude, hey man, I'm having
this this event.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
I'm gonna need you to do that same thing at
myde Yes. Yeah, So it was real good.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
So growing up in Saint Louis being a musician, I'm
sure that you had the opportunity to be at.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
So many places here in Saint Louis.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Tell me what is one of your biggest moments you
know that you've had, you know, being here in Saint louis.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
The biggest moments.
Speaker 5 (08:38):
I believe my event that I had so for Sundays,
you know, we took that every Sunday night of live
music to three different venues, essentially starting at the End
Spot and then going to Lola, which forever would be
a lot of a lot of one, you know, the
(08:58):
favorite hangout spot when Washington, uh, you know, was was
getting started and being that entertainment district and we had
a great time all White Anniversary shows and we closed
that venue out. You know when when Lola closed, it
was it was heartbreaking, but at the end of the day,
(09:19):
you know, our work had been done, and you know
we took it to knockoutside in the county, in North
County and uh yeah. But it also again it just
brought other opportunities being at spots like Utopia. You know,
you said thirty something earlier and I was like, damn.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
See.
Speaker 5 (09:38):
The thing too with me is I had the opportunity
to grow up with uncles people that I call uncles,
that being Tony James and.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
The late great Jean Lynn.
Speaker 5 (09:49):
Yes, so being able to hang around those spots, you know,
you would my parents knew this. This guy is my
father especially, he said, this guy's going to be a musician,
he's gonna be an entertainer. My homework was done, chores
was done. Guess what we're going to thirty something. We're
about to hear Pee, Todd Williams and the crew, all
of those and you're just gonna sit back be saying
(10:09):
not be seen, not you know, chill out, and uh,
you know that's kind of how I grew up, knowing
those musicians and everyone that paved the way and were
you know, that musical example for me to get to
you know, this this great portion of my life right now.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
So speaking of this great portion of your life right now, uh,
you have an it's an interesting story on how this happened. Yes,
thankies and gentlemen, let me say this. This man is
a member of the renowned group After seven. This this
is my boy, Will Roberson. He's part of After seven.
(10:47):
Y'all y'all know the group, don't y'all nice?
Speaker 4 (10:50):
Like?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Oh yeah, you know you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 5 (10:53):
Kids, Stop hu, you know that's right how I feel?
Speaker 2 (10:58):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 6 (10:59):
I thought, why then aren't you know you you digging
on me and we know weed girl, indeed.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Yeah, And so how did this come about?
Speaker 6 (11:15):
Man?
Speaker 2 (11:15):
How did you get into After Shoot?
Speaker 5 (11:17):
By the grace of God and just being faithful to
my craft, I had the pleasure of meeting our renowned manager,
mister Jamil Graves on a couple of occasions in which
the first time, Uh, you know, it was an introduction
and you know, pretty much this whole questionnaire of what
(11:39):
it is that I'm trying to do, and UH lost
contact for three years and eventually, based on another performance,
UH ran into him and from then it was like, okay,
now we're talking.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
Let's let's let's see what this is about.
Speaker 5 (11:58):
And you know, I went in to full tunnel vision
choreography training, certain things and certain elements in which you know,
I had to adapt vocally to what it is that
After Seventh Sound you know, has been known for not
(12:19):
to say that I changed my stop clup, but at
the same time I had to be able to capture
the essence not only of After seven but also of
the late great Melvin Edmunds, one of the original lead
singers of the group. So at that time, you know,
going through all the training, had the audition with Cavon
Edmonds in which he came here in order to see
(12:42):
me perform. And I think after one yeah, we had
only one rehearsal in which I had to go to
Atlanta to rehearse as a principal. And the following weekend
I had my first tour date in Chicago on tour
with Stephanie Mells, Elder Bars, Evelyn Champagne King Howard Hewett
(13:04):
was on that joint as well. And I've been going
ever since almost two years with the group, loving every
minute of it, loving it.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Now let me ask you this, yes, now, how how
is it? What you you know?
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Like you you just performed locally here in Saint Louis
in comparison to being on this national stage. Do you
feel like the people of Saint Louis kind of helped
prepare you for this?
Speaker 5 (13:36):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (13:37):
You know what I mean, because you know absolutely, you
know we we we we.
Speaker 5 (13:42):
Just you know, some of the finest critics you'll you'll
ever see, you know, and it's it's a beautiful thing,
you know, for me when I got started, and and
I feel like some singers can attest to this. You know,
when you have a smaller audience, you find a way
to create we ate this intimacy with your listener. I
(14:03):
remember when we did our first Soul for Sundays, at
least for the first three weeks at the end spot,
you know, we were lucky if we had ten people
in the audience. Ten people grew to thirty people. Thirty
people ended up turning into Hey, it's one hundred and
twenty folks in here standing room only.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
Y'all gonna need a bigger venue.
Speaker 5 (14:24):
And for me, that allowed me to, you know, be
groomed and ready to take on an audience of now
three thousand, of now fifteen thousand. It's yeah, Saint Louis,
y'all did y'all thing. I've been prepared and ready for
this moment. And again it's just a blessing to even
(14:47):
get to this point and still got work to do.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
So I'm loving it.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
Yeah, So how is it? You know, how has life
changed for you? You know, because you was on this
local stage. Now you're on this national stage and platform.
Everything you do, everybody's watching, everybody's looking, you know what
I'm saying, right, I mean, and it's not only just
(15:12):
Saint Louis. I mean it's people from all over the world. Absolutely,
you give what I'm saying. How is life in that arena?
You know what I'm saying. If I'm a young kid
and I'm listening to this your hometown guy that went
from you know, being on this local scene to the
national scene with after seven, Who's come to town by
the way? And we're gonna get to that in a
(15:33):
few seconds.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
But how is that?
Speaker 5 (15:36):
It's an interesting feeling, It's a great feeling. I try
not to specify on numbers too much, but for me,
like I said, to go from an audience of thirty
to fifteen thousand is something that I've worked hard and
have dreamed of doing.
Speaker 4 (15:53):
Right.
Speaker 5 (15:53):
But here's the other thing that recently I've kind of
acquired and loved doing. When I'm any where, whether it
be a restaurant or lounge or whatever, Uh listen on
the radio, I now tune in to what it is
that's playing. And for me, now I'm playing the game
of out of all of these people, I'm listening to,
whoever I worked with, whoever I introduced, uh introduced myself to,
(16:18):
who is still not heard the voice of Will Robinson
in which I know that I am not only putting
in them more work, but I'm lessening that those degrees
of separation. That's that's probably one of the dopest feelings
about it, knowing that I'm able to grab the ears
and listeners of you know folks, share new followers based
(16:43):
on my performances with these other artists.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Uh, it's it's great. It's it's what I've worked for.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
All right.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
And speaking of being great, well, you know After Seven's
coming to town. You guys going to be here in September. Yeah,
I think with the Urban League of Metropolitan.
Speaker 5 (16:59):
Sing correct, we'll be doing the Salute to women and
leadership evening that being on the September thirteenth.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
And then you guys are going to be at the
City Winery all right, September fourteenth.
Speaker 5 (17:13):
September fourteenth, doing two shows. So I'll be sticking around
the hometown for a little second. And it feels good
to be back. Saint Louis was actually my second show
kind of by default, when I first started with the group,
So it's now been almost two years since people here
have had the chance to see me on stage, not
(17:35):
only in general, but at the same time as a
member of an established member of After seven, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
I'm to say, you won't be that local hometown. You
still be local hometown, you know, homeboy. But it's like y'all,
you know he's in After seven And I know I
got man. You know, I'm gonna tell you, I got
some people going BJ. Do you know them? I think you?
And what's what's that dude named Cavan? Because you know Cavan?
(18:06):
Is that his name?
Speaker 2 (18:07):
You know what I'm saying? Yeah, they like BJ? Do
you know them? Can you get a picture? Can I
get a picture with?
Speaker 3 (18:17):
I'm telling you, man, it's.
Speaker 4 (18:20):
Gonna be hot. It's really gonna be hot. You know.
After seven has a.
Speaker 5 (18:27):
Has not only not necessarily a niche, but they have
a style in which is uncomparable to any other R
and B group. And when I mean that, I'm saying
the storytelling, the love, love and relationships, the choreography, I
mean I would I could have never dreamt of this moment.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Let alone know that. You know, how was I supposed
to know that.
Speaker 5 (18:52):
My work and efforts as a as a solo singer
would allow me to now be in a position to
learn core giography, dance moves and and you know, take
part in this this trio style of R and B
music the I mean the stuff that I grew up
listening to in timeless hits.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Times. We can't dance, oh lord, oh lord.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
I've seen him trying to dance before. I just had
to point that out cause you know where you know
people there going. You know, I learned, you know, choreography, you.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Will can't that, but.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
You know what's funning the stem?
Speaker 2 (19:36):
Hey, you got it, man.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
It's funny.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
I remember days of doing shows that the Rusty Goat
and you know they got that stage dead center. I
remember somebody, I think it was the promoter, was like,
yeah we had somebody looked at me and was like, yeah,
will don't fall off that glass stage the way, you know,
just stumping like, man, I ain't gonna fall. Don't worry
about it. Y'all got me out here in hard bottoms,
but best believe. Oh yeah, we get down on No. No,
(20:00):
I saw, I saw.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
I've seen it man that I can't wait to see
it on Uh. You know, like I said, with the
Urban League on September thirteenth, if you want to get
tickets for that, you go to u l st o
dot com and then uh the City Winery for two
big shows on the fourteenth, and if you want to
get tickets for that, you go to the City Winery,
now you know, Okay, so you know you you you
(20:24):
you you used to rip up the purple ring, right,
So I'm not gonna have you. I'm I'm not gonna
put you on the spot. Man, You're not gonna do that. Now. See,
I gotta hear you sing one of the After seven
doing you know, like you know, something like what about
like baby for real?
Speaker 6 (20:45):
Really?
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Yeah? All the pouts that's my points, yeah yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
Yeah, yeah. You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
I'm just saying, man, you know, because we need to
hear us after.
Speaker 5 (20:56):
You know what I'm saying not to so that means
you want to hear the bab ba baby.
Speaker 4 (21:02):
You don't understand.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
How much I love you, baby, how much I wanna
be your ronine? Man, are you trying to get the
I'll give you the sun, the rain, the moon, stars
and the mountains.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
I don't give you the world.
Speaker 4 (21:28):
I mean they gonna get it all that night. You
gotta be there.
Speaker 5 (21:32):
I'm telling you my Saint Louis family, my hometown, my
home team.
Speaker 4 (21:36):
September fourteenth.
Speaker 5 (21:38):
If you haven't seen After seven if you've never seen
me now with the group, by all means, make your
way to City Winery, Saint Louis, Midtown, September fourteenth. There
are gonna be two shows. There's gonna be one at
five pm and then there's another at eight thirty pm.
Tickets are definitely available for you to perch is a
(22:00):
sap because I would love to see you while there's
so great to be home and after seven can't wait
to bring you that experience we always talking about.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
Yay man, Will, thank you so much Man for taking
our time to you know, be here. One last question,
if you had to talk to the young Will and
give him a motivational you know words, because there's a
(22:28):
lot of young people man that that are slipping into
you you know your you know your shoes right now,
you know what I mean. They're slipping in there and
they're gonna walk this path just like.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Like you did. What would you say to that young Will.
Speaker 5 (22:45):
Oh Man, I would definitely say that remember that music
is a heartbeat that never stops. It is a relationship
that is always faithful to you as long as you
were faithful to it.
Speaker 4 (23:05):
It is ever evolving.
Speaker 5 (23:07):
And with that you two must evolve, and you know
that could be on so many different facets, from the
song selections, the venues, the opportunities in which you know
you may be where you want to be, but you're
not making what it is that you'd like to put
in your pocket. All of these things and all of
(23:28):
these accounts are what's going to make what's for you
in the future the utmost worthwhile. And just keep up
the fight. You know, giving up is not an option.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
Hey man, you know what, Thank you for that, man.
I appreciating that.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
Thank you for allowing me as an honor for me
to be able to have had this opportunity to sit
and talk with you man, because you have an amazing story.
My brother, keep on going, man, Thank Louis. We we
just we just loving on you man, and appreciate we
just appreciate you representing us, you know, like you do
and and how you you're you're carrying yourself.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
We we just thank you. Thank you so much. Man,
We appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (24:15):
Appreciate that, my brother. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
This has been another edition of ourtfeat Saint Louis with
J d J, A K A b J. Holiday, bringing
you the pulse of the city
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