Robert Randolph and the Family Band | |
|---|---|
 Randolph in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Orange,New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B,sacred steel,funk,soul,jam,gospel,country,rock,blues[1] |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels | Warner,Blue Note,Sony Music,Provogue |
| Members | Robert Randolph Marcus Randolph Lenesha Randolph Brett Haas |
| Past members | John Ginty Jason Crosby Danyel Morgan |
| Website | www |
Robert Randolph and the Family Band is an Americangospel band led bypedal steel guitaristRobert Randolph (Robert Jermaine Randolph, born August 8, 1977,Irvington, New Jersey).[2]NPR has described the band as one with an "irresistible rock 'n' roll swagger".[3]Rolling Stone included Randolph upon their list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.[4] The band has released six studio albums and has beenGrammy nominated five times, winning the2026 Grammy Award forBest Contemporary Blues Album for the albumPreachers Kids.[5][6]
Frontman Robert Randolph was trained as apedal steel guitarist in the House of God Church and makes prominent use of the instrument in the band's music. The instrument is referred to in many African-American Pentecostal churches as "sacred steel". Randolph was discovered while playing at a sacred steel convention inFlorida.[7]
The group's sound is inspired by funk bands such asEarth, Wind & Fire andSly & the Family Stone. Randolph himself has explained that in his adolescent years before being discovered by the secular community, he was almost completely unaware of non-religious music. He went on to exclaim in an interview that "I grew up and saw a lot of older guys playing lap steels and pedal-steel guitars in my church. I had never heard of the Allman Brothers, or even Buddy Guy or Muddy Waters."[8]
Before releasing albums with The Family Band, Randolph was selected by avant-garde jazz organistJohn Medeski to join him and theNorth Mississippi Allstars on their 2001 jam project,The Word. Just prior to the release of The Word's debut album, Randolph was brought to the attention of music fans through a review[9] byNeil Strauss inThe New York Times in April 2001. On their first non-church tour of the East Coast, Randolph's new Family Band opened for the North Mississippi Allstars and then rejoined the musicians after their set, with Medeski, as The Word.
The first Robert Randolph and the Family Band album,Live at the Wetlands, was released in 2002 on Family Band Records, recorded live on August 23, 2001, just prior to the club's closing. The band released their studio debut,Unclassified on August 5, 2003. They attracted the attention ofEric Clapton, and have subsequently toured as a supporting act with the Englishblues guitarist. Clapton later guested on their 2006 albumColorblind, playing on acover of "Jesus Is Just Alright".
In 2002, they were hired byABC to make the network's newNBA theme song. The song, "We Got Hoops", only appeared in three telecasts, though it was used throughout both the NBA andWNBA seasons during promotions for both leagues. In September 2003 Randolph was listed as No. 97 onRolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list. Robert entered the list followingLeigh Stephens and directly precedingAngus Young.[4] In February 2004 Robert Randolph and the Family Band along with the bandO.A.R. released a cover version ofLed Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain", which was made available for online purchase throughiTunes. This version was played live withO.A.R. at their June 18, 2009, show at Charter One Pavilion in Chicago.
Their third album,Colorblind, was released October 10, 2006. The song "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That" was used in several commercials forNBC, and used in Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas' jive on Dancing with the Stars.[10] In June 2008 theDiscovery Channel used this same song in a popular promo entitled "It's All Good" for their summer lineup. The song "Thrill of It" was used throughout the 2007 college football season by ABC during their College Primetime games.[11]
They worked with producerT-Bone Burnett on their fourth studio albumWe Walk This Road, released in 2010. They released the supposed first single from that album entitled "Get There" but this song did not appear on the album. The first official single from the album is "If I Had My Way." Randolph used his steel guitar with a wah-wah pedal[12]
Their 2019 recording,Brighter Days, was chosen as a 'Favorite Blues Album' byAllMusic.[13]
On March 28, 2025, Randolph announced his first solo album,Preacher Kids, set for release on June 27, 2025.[14]
The band made its first television appearance onLate Show with David Letterman on August 5, 2003, performing "I Need More Love".
In 2004, Robert Randolph and the Family Band was the opening act on theEric Clapton tour. They are featured prominently in the Clapton'sCrossroads Guitar Festival DVD (2004). The band also appears onBonnaroo Music Festival DVDs. The length of the concerts can vary greatly depending on what songs are played (the band does not use a set list) and how long jams last. Concerts go over the allotted time if the band and the audience are having fun. Most concerts don't have an intermission; instead, band members will exit the stage leaving one or two members a chance to shine with solos. The one time the band does stop is so the band can relax, get hydrated, and plan the encore. On October 9, 2004, Robert Randolph and the Family Band appeared on the PBS television show Austin City Limits.[15]
On January 24, 2007, they played in Dallas at Victory Plaza outside of the American Airlines Center as part of the 2007 NHL All Star game festivities. The band also played before the start of the2007 NHL All-Star Game. The Family Band has opened forDave Matthews Band for some shows on their 2002–09 tours.[16] In 2005 Robert Randolph appeared on the Dave Matthews Band releaseWeekend on the Rocks. Robert Randolph has performed as a guest during the Dave Matthews Band set on songs such as "All Along the Watchtower", "Louisiana Bayou", "Stand Up", "Smooth Rider", "You Might Die Trying", and "Two Step", among others.
In 2007, Robert Randolph and the Family Band played at the inauguralSouth Padre International Music Festival. In 2008, they opened forEric Clapton and were also one of four featured artists on theMusic Builds Tour. Robert Randolph and the Family Band played in Oxford, Mississippi on April 25, 2009, as part of the 14th annual Double Decker Arts Festival. In 2009 Randolph also sat in on two live performances ofLed Zeppelin's "Fool In The Rain" with the bandO.A.R.
Also, on June 22, 2014, Robert Randolph and the Family Band played at the TD Toronto Jazz Fest, welcoming a new "cousin" Andrew Prince to the stage for two songs.[15][17]
Robert Randolph and the Family Band played the 10th annual Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival in May 2018.[18]
On July 30, 2022, Robert Randolph and the Family Band opened forZac Brown Band outside theSoaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | "Squeeze" | Best Rock Instrumental Performance | Nominated |
| 2003 | Unclassified | Best Rock Gospel Album | Nominated |
| 2017 | Got Soul | Best Contemporary Blues Album | Nominated |
| 2020 | Brighter Days | Nominated | |
| 2026 | Preacher Kids | Won |
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Label | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 200[19] | US Rock[20] | US Christian[21] | US Blues[22] | |||
| 2003 | Unclassified | 145 | 6 | Warner Records[23] | ||
| 2006 | Colorblind | 75 | Warner Records[23] | |||
| 2010 | We Walk This Road | 74 | 21 | 4 | Warner Records[23] | |
| 2013 | Lickety Split | 135 | 37 | Blue Note Records[23] | ||
| 2017 | Got Soul | 2 | Sony Music[23] | |||
| 2019 | Brighter Days | 3 | Mascot Label Group / Provogue | |||
| Year | Single | Artist | Country Chart | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" | Sawyer Brown | 55 | Mission Temple Fireworks Stand |
In 1999, Arhoolie Records releasedSacred Steel – Live! including performances recorded live in two House of God churches in 1998 and 1999, one of which was Robert Randolph performing "Without God". In 2001, they releasedTrain Don't Leave Me: The 1st Annual Sacred Steel Convention including performances recorded live March 31–April 1, 2000, one of which was Robert Randolph performing "I Feel Like Pressing My Way". In 2002, they releasedRecorded Live At The 2nd Sacred Steel Convention including performances recorded live March 30–31, 2001, one of which was Robert Randolph performing "You've Got To Move". In 2004, Robert Randolph and the Family Band covered "Purple Haze" for the albumPower of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix. In 2009, Robert Randolph, along withThe Clark Sisters, released a version of the song "Higher Ground" on the compilation albumOh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration.[24][25]
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand"(w/Sawyer Brown) | Shaun Silva |
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