Robben Ford Discussion

jconstant · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 6:46 pm Post subject: The 4th Ford brother

I was watching the interviews of Robben on the Live at Sierra Nevada Center Stage and saw a family picture of the Ford's in which there appeared to be Mom, Dad, Robben, Patrick, and Mark. But there was another person in the picture that looked like he may have been another child of Mom and Dad. Is there a 4th Ford brother that anyone is aware of?
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"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

Bartok55 · Newbie Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 2

Henry?

BlueRunner · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:33 pm Post subject:

Some of the regular bio is in a new story (and review of Truth) at http://www.improvisemusic.com/ The story says that Robben is the third of four boys, and mentions Pat and Mark.

Would be interested if there's a nice story here. E.g., both Ford parents were musicians. Is it possible that with five gigging musicians in the house, the "other" son decided to do something else. Like invent the internet, or corneal transplants. Or simpy went out and bought Guitar Center stock when it was selling for $3 a share.
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- BlueRunner

Michael · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:18 pm Post subject:

There is a 4th Ford brother ... his name is Andy Just ... just kidding, of course. The Ford Brothers were on the bill to play in Grass Valley 8/11. They should rename the band ... The Ford Brother ... as Robben and Mark were missing. Rumor had it that Mark is through playing as in giving it up. I'm not sure what was actually meant by that comment.

A good show ... Volker played guitar, Andy on harmonica, Dewayne on bass, and Patrick keeping it all together.

Volker's band opened and had a baritone sax + trombone filling oiut the sound ... cool stuff here. Volker seems like a great guy.

BlueRunner · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:15 pm Post subject:

This is one of those fun mysteries that can really be a challenge. A little bit of investigating on the computer hasn't turned up anything, except a question of whether or not the Fords are descendents of the original Ford who came to Mendocino County in the late 1800's and started a lumber business.
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- BlueRunner

GMC · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:10 pm Post subject:

I think this one maybe a sad story.
I can recall reading an interview with Robben Ford after the Robben Ford and the Blue Line CD came out and he briefly spoke about the song The Brother written as a dedication to Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimmie Vaughn. He said one of the reasons he wrote was that he understood what it was like to lose a brother. Unfortunately I cannot remember who the interview was with nor can I find any record of the interview.
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Dodge M37

bassjack · Member Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 16 Location: Chico, CA

I seem to recall reading/hearing an interview in which Robben refers to his brother Steve, the eldest Ford. It might've been that very same Sierra Center Stage show... Apparently he didn't follow the musical path.

Jack

loek · Member Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 44

listen to hey,brother on the supernatural cd,and all will be revealed

FatTeleTom · Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2004 Posts: 191

No, I don't think "Hey Brother" is about an actual brother. Robben discussed this song at the clinic I attended, and it was written for/about a close friend with whom he had had a falling out (since resolved).

Bill Morgan · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:11 am Post subject: 4th brother

Robben's brother Steve, who was apparently somewhat of a James Dean type, was killed in either a car or motorcycle accident. Robben never seems to talk about him, and that's clearly his right. It's certainly not a topic of conversation I would bring up to Robben.

"Hey Brother" was written for Bob Malach.

Bill

JackD · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:30 pm Post subject:

Is the Live at Sierra Nevada Center Stage on DVD? If so, where do you get it?

BlueRunner · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:22 pm Post subject:

Bill: Thanks for the info, even though very sad.
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- BlueRunner

jconstant · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject:

Honestly, I was afraid it might be something like that.

And FatTeleTom, I don't know if we were at the same clinic but you're right about Hey, Brother. I heard that same story from Robben at a clinic but of course, he didn't say it was Bob Malach.
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"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

jconstant · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject: