Bobby
Marquez Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
Lamitschka: Music has many new fans throughout
Europe who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe
yourself and the music you play to someone who has never seen or heard you?
Answer: My music is more of a honky tonk sound mixed
with a little western swing and now cowboy music. When you come to one of my shows you will see
a big band behind me with steel guitar and fiddle. I also do alot of my own original music, with
songs I have written. You can dance to
my music as well as hear songs that come from the heart with songs about life
and love. I like to keep it positive and
have a some fun twists on words in my lyrics.
Lamitschka: How was the last year for you? What
were your highlights?
Answer: I had a great year of performing in
different venues and areas around the country. I was honored by the CMA of Texas for Cowboy/Western Music artist of the
year for my new song The Cowboy Way which was written about my father in law
who passed of pancreatic cancer. Another
honor was by The Academy of Western Artists Pure Country Male Vocalist of the
year which was voted by all the DJ’s around the country. I have been very blessed with these honors
and all I want to do is keep putting music out there that people can relate
to. My songwriting also got a nomination
this year by R.O.P.E.(Reunion of Professional Entertainers) for songwriter of
the year. I was very blessed to be even
mentioned in the same category as Bill Anderson and Dallas Frazier!
Lamitschka: What is your latest CD and how’s it
doing?
Answer: My latest CD of course is entitled Bobby
Marquez which has earned me all these great honors and Texas Chart hits. It has definitely opened alot of doors for me
and I am very thankful for this. My new
album, I’m still working on and it has given me “The Cowboy Way“ and a duet
with the great Johnny Rodriguez on his big hit “Riding My Thumb To
Mexico“. I can’t wait for this new album
to be done. I think it will be better
than the last one.
Lamitschka: How did you choose the title for the
CD? Is there a story behind the name?
Answer: I just entitled it Bobby Marquez so people
could get to know my name and put a face with the music. My next album has to be The Cowboy Way
because that is my motto….living by the morals and strong character cowboys
uphold in honor of my father-in-law.
Lamitschka: You did a duet with Johnny
Rodriguez. How did that happen to come about?
Answer: First, I have always been a huge fan of
Johnny! I remember when I was about 8
years old singing his songs to the radio. My wife Jennifer knew him from her days of being a DJ in San Antonio,
TX. I was throwing a big show for the
CMA back in 2008 here in Nashville and she asked Johnny if he would perform
with me and he did. The next day after
the show we talked about possibly doing a duet together and he said “well while
I’m here in Nashville lets do this.“ We
did and I was very honored to be singing with one of my musical heroes.
Lamitschka: Do you have any interesting stories
about how fans have been affected by your music?
Answer: Oh yes! My song “That’s Life“ which I cowrote with the great Karen Staley, has
touched alot of people. Folks come up to
me all the time and tell me how that song has impacted their lives and brought
back memeories of their childhood. I know several people who have used the song
to honor loved ones at funerals as well. My recent song „“The Cowboy Way“ has also
touched alot of people who are kind of fed up with the way society is
today. The song talks about
respect,integrity, and helping our friends in need. This is something that the Cowboy lived by
for many years and people wished we could go back to living this way. This song has been the only song to ever give
me standing ovations everywhere I play. To me that says something about how powerful songs can be!
Lamitschka: Who inspires you musically and how
deep do your musical roots run?
Answer: Life experiences is what truly inspires me
to do my music. Although I do have my
musical hereoes that have inspired me to do what I do. Ray Price,George Strait,Ernest Tubb,Bob
Wills,Merle Haggard and Johnny Rodriguez, have all put a little influence in my
music that I still put in my songs today. I grew up in South Texas so my roots run deep with western
swing,shuffles,waltzes,honky tonk and two stepping music.
Lamitschka: What drives you?
Answer: I grew up a believer in God and family. Prayer and trying to be a good person in life
is what always drives me. I love music
but it is not the only thing in my life. I have a beutiful wife and my little ones(Dog & Cat)who always put a smile on my face when I come
home. God has truly blessed me with a
great family,friends, and my life journey with music!
Lamitschka: What moments in your career stand out
in your memory as highlights and achievements which you are proud of?
Answer: Its not so much about all the awards and
accolades. If I can change someones life
with a song, that’s what I want my memories to be when I’m gone. I started a show called „“Country With Heart“
for St. Jude Kids 4 years ago and have raised alot of money to help those in
need. I want to continue to do this as
long as I can. To me, this is what life
is about, helping those less fortunate than us. This is my highlight!
Lamitschka: Many European fans travel to the
United States to attend the several of the music festivals for the opportunity
to see so many of their favorite artists, bands and celebrities. Will you be
participating and how will the fans be able to find you?
Answer: Yes, during CMA Fest weekend on June 9th is
my 4th Annual „“Country With Heart“ for St. Jude Show. I know alot of fans come in from Europe that
week to catch all the big stars. I will
have a stellar lineup this year that will include some of Country Music’s
biggest Stars that will donate their time to give back to St. Jude. For more info you can go to www.bobbymarquez.com or visit my
facebook page www.facebook.com/bobbymarquezmusic
I hope all of the fans come visit us to raise money for
the kids!