Hey Everybody!
Very, very pleased to report my wife Laura and I received excellent news from the doc yesterday!  An early birthday present for me, a little room to breathe...  Onward!
Speaking of my birthday, haha, I am looking forward to playing a "birthday show" at Honey on 9/29, two days before my actual birthday.  I may debut a new song- "Twilight Bill"- if it's finished in time, and will definitely play a new cover of Joe Purdy's beautiful on-the-run song "The Pretenders".  Can't wait, hope I see ya there!! B

Hey Everybody,
Below is a newly recorded version of my 20-minute (!!) ode to the Cleveland Browns "Red-Right 88".  It first appeared on my record "Tape From Minnesota" (2004).  I decided to re-record this song, started from scratch and, in addition to new vocals and guitar, I have added, with a little help from my friends, some tasty keys & percussion.  This is a work-in-progress, and I hope to have some violin on there soon.  But, as another Browns season begins, I thought I'd get this version out there.  Enjoy! Hope everybody doing well and, Go Browns!! B
P.S. And- Good Luck to our baseball boys as they chase their record-setting 22nd win in a row!  Jonathan and I have watched just about every game from our comfy Mpls basement.  Cherished Father & Son times... kinda like those described in "Red Right 88", except Cleveland is winning! B

Hey Everybody,
I am excited to write that, after some delay, my record "LongShot Deal" is now streaming on Pandora.  It joins my earlier record- "Nothing Hid"- and you can check 'em both out at my Pandora artist page.  For those of you not familiar with the site, Pandora is a free site which allows you to create stations based around musicians you dig.  Pandora will play songs by the musicians you choose to create your station, as well as by other musicians it determines share similar qualities with the ones you've chosen.  Check it out, it's pretty cool, and I am happy to have my music available thru this site.
In other news, I saw a wonderful show by Joe Purdy last nite and got to chat with him for a little bit afterwards.  He is a favorite musician of mine- yes, I created a Joe Purdy station on Pandora!- and it was a super cool evening, shared with my son Jonathan.  Take care everybody! B
​

Hey Everybody,
Hope you are all doing well.  I posted some new photos and some videos from my last two shows.  My friend and colleague Rebecca Bullen shot both shows- so cool of her!!- and hooked me up with all kinds of cool photos and full video of each show.  Thanks, Rebecca!!
My next Honey show is Friday, September 29th, which is only two days from my birthday so it'll be some kinda birthday show.  Hope you can make it!! B

"Hey Everybody,
As Summer comes to an end, I am excited to be playing another Honey show tonite.  I will be joined by Rachel Felicia Calvert, who will be playing violin with me on a bunch of songs.  She played all the violin parts on "LongShot Deal" and I think tonite will sound awesome!
I think perhaps the highlight of my Summer was the "LongShot Deal" show I played at Honey on June 8th.  I was joined by all but one of the musicians who helped me make that record- unfortunately, Rachel couldn't make it, and we really missed her!- and I think the show sounded awesome.  I began with a few solo tunes, then was joined by the band and we played thru the entire record, song by song.  It was tons of fun, the turnout was solid, and it was an awesome nite.  There are a couple videos from that evening posted in the "Video" section of this site.  Check 'em out!  Big thanks to Corey Hess (drums), Matt Unga (bass), Kevin Gastonguay (organ), Mark Joseph (electric guitar), Marc Conklin (acoustic guitar), and Natalie Fine (harmony vocals).
I spent yesterday afternoon in the studio with old buddies Corey Hess and Marc Conklin. Local vet Dan Israel also was there and a good time was had by all!  Dan and I were laying vocal tracks for a couple songs on Marc's record "I Just Can't Sing".  I think it's sounding great!
Not much other news.  I have some cool songs I'm working on as I continue to try and push "LongShot Deal" out into the world.  I also have a couple writing projects I am excited to pursue.  Finally,  Laura and I received some excellent news on the homefront on July 24th, so I've been relaxing in that cool space for the last couple weeks.  Back on contract next week, hard to believe how quickly the Summer goes!
I hope everybody doing well.  I'll try to be better about keeping my site updated, but, we know how that goes!
Take Care, Everybody!
B

 Hey Everybody!
Happy Spring!  As per usual, I haven't posted for a bit, but am pleased to report that LongShot Deal has been accepted by Pandora and will soon join Nothing Hid  in streaming on that site.  It is also now available for purchase- or just to listen- thru various online sources, including iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Soundcloud, etc.  Here is a kind review from a local writer-
"Bob Frey's "Longshot Deal" presents a significant entry into the literature of American folk music. The deceptive ease with which the songs approach the difficulties of our times, personal and public, acts as a gift. The sound here, filled out by tasteful guitar, organ and violin, gracefully holds space for the vulnerability of the writing. Taken as whole, "Longshot Deal" is a perceptive documentation of engagement with adult life. The songs lead us into the emotional territory that much contemporary folk music doesn't risk—we come back wiser and more openhearted."
—Spout Press
I am hoping all of the musicians who played on the record can join me at Honey on June 8th.  We will play the entire record live and I will round out the evening with a solo set.  Very excited, more to come!  Take care, B

Friends,
I woke up this morning with a surprise in my email inbox! The surprise was a link to a review of "LongShot Deal" by Harry Kaplan at the music blog Twangri-La.  Harry had some very kind words to share about the record- Thanks, Harry!!  Here is the review, in its entirety-
"Reviewed by Harry Kaplan
Just to let you know, LongShot in the title is not a typo. That is the way Bob Frey has it on his album so I wanted to keep the authenticity alive.
If you mix insightful and intelligent songwriting with unique and soothing vocals, you will get a good snapshot of Bob Frey. I mentioned that I seem to review and gravitate to an inordinate number of performers from Ohio. Although Bob Frey has spent the last 24 years in Minneapolis, he is a native of Cleveland. Another one to add to the ever growing list. This is a little bit on the folk side of things but has an attitude and great musicianship that differentiates LongShot Deal from your standard folk performers. At times it sounds like Dylan, Dire Straits, and maybe Cat Stevens. Although the influences are there, Bob Frey fuses these influences into his own style.
Smart songwriting is what Bob Frey is all about. These are not songs as much as they are poems set to music. They are incredibly tangible and all of them tell a great story or require some thought or introspection.
"American Kid", the final song on this collection immediately caught my attention because it is a nostalgic song about various events in Bob Frey’s life. It is written and sung with so much conviction, it immediately captivated my attention. Again, more like a poem or short story than a song. It is as if a small folk song grew up to become an adult. The last lines of every verse are especially moving and thought provoking:
"So, Condemn me, or Forsake me, Criticize me, or Embrace me 
I was just an American Kid..."
These are the lines that Frey sings to explain himself at the conclusion of each adventure which happens to also be the end of each verse. It is an absolutely perfect way to sum up all the experiences and lessons learned in this song. This isn’t just a collection of folk songs, rather a collection of anecdotes or short stories. Set to music, this release is a keeper and one i will play over and over."

Hey Everybody!!
I am very excited to write that, on January 18th, I picked up my new record "LongShot Deal". Big thanks to Brad at CopyCats for making the process so smooth.  Much work remains in terms of getting the record to online distributors, online stations, radio, local record stores, etc. The heavy lifting, however, is done and it feels great to have product-in-hand.  I worked on this record for over two years, and, once again, my buddy Corey Hess gave so much love to the recording and producing and mixing of these songs...  Thanks so much, Corey!  And, once again, I feel so lucky to have been joined by some truly awesome musicians, some of the Twin Cities' best.  
Mark Joseph (the Big Wu), Kevin Gastonguay (New Sound Underground),  Natalie Fine (More Than Lights), Corey Hess, Rachel Felicia Calvert, Marc Conklin...  I am forever grateful to each of them for the Love and talent they brought to these songs.  You can listen- for free!- to all of these songs by clicking on the "Music" tab on the upper left of this page.  In terms of  purchasing a song- or the whole record!- it is available- or will be- thru multiple online vendors and, of course, from me personally at a show!  Thanks for your continued support and for listening to my music.  I am proud of this record, I think it sounds great, and I hope you will, too!!  Take care, everybody!
Bob 

Hey Everybody!
Well...  As we know, I'm not great about updating this portion of my website, but it's not because things aren't happening.  Work continues on my record, now definitely titled "LongShot Deal".  It will contain 10 tracks and is set to be mastered on 12/23.  It's sounding awesome and getting close!

I am also excited because I am moving 4 tracks originally slotted for "LongShot Deal" to my next project.  These include a new and improved version of my 18 minute ode to the Cleveland Browns titled "Red Right 88", a cover of a favorite traditional song called "Lakes of Ponchartrain", and two more originals- "City Hall" and "Elijah".  This move makes a lot of sense as the next record will be more of a traditional, folk / blues type effort.  Less instruments, simpler songs.  I have already written the others I'll include but still need to record, including a murder ballad called "Ghost", a joint effort with my son Jonathan (!!) called "Movin' On", a song called "Ticket" and, finally, a very traditionally structured song called "Who's a-Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone?".

My Honey shows continue, for which I am very grateful as I am really not trying to book much else.  Following a big birthday on October 1st, we received some tough medical news about my wife.  Her- and Our- struggle continues, but she is strong and beautiful and such a fighter, 5 years now and counting.  My primary focus is on her and our son Jonathan.  Still, the music keeps me some semblance of sane and my gigs and my recording projects are things I cherish amidst the turmoil and challenges.

I know I should write more, gig more, update more... probably get a Twitter account, etc.  Perhaps all of these things some day.  For now, however, thanks so much for your support.  I'm looking forward to my 1/6 Honey gig- my first show in 2017!  "LongShot Deal" should be in hand not too long after, a good way to start what I hope will prove to be a great year.

Take care, Everybody!

B

Hey Everybody,
I am excited to be playing at Honey on Friday for the first Bob Frey Fish Fry!  $5 gets you in the door, and $12 more gets you fish & chips and a pint of Summit!  A great deal, and I'm extra excited about this show as it follows some really good news my wife Laura and I received yesterday!  So, a celebratory Fish Fry with tasty food and chilly beers on a hot July evening.  Can't wait!  Also, as I've written, work continues on my current recording project.  It's been a long time in the studio, but I don't mind- I actually love it!- and I'm feeling very good about how things are sounding.

Hope all of you are doing well, hope I will see you on Friday, and thanks for checking out my site!

Take care,

B