By Caroline Roosevelt
Contributing Writer

Through thick and thin, America can always depend on its rich tradition of folk music or to provide a much-needed salve on the aches of everyday life, and I say this as some of us may be feeling a little achier than usual in recent months. In a country that has brought about greats such as Pete Seeger, Woody and Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Tom Waits and Joan Baez - all of whom crafted rich stories of universal appeal – their songs remain anthems of inspiration, and soundtracks that honor the continuing tradition of storytelling.

For the past 50 years, Steve Forbert can proudly attach his name to that coveted list, and on April 11 – the start of a nine-city tour - he will bring his weighty catalog to the Kennett Flash, accompanied by keyboardist Rob Clores, who has played with The Black Crowes, Spin Doctors, and Enrique Iglesias. Forbert and Clores have been playing together since they met during the production of Forbert’s album Early Morning Rain.

After a few games of phone tag between us, I spoke with Forbert from my car, while the veteran singer-songwriter was walking his dogs in Asbury Park, N.J.

Caroline Roosevelt: Every musician has a beginning to their career. Describe the journey of Steve Forbert.

Steve Forbert: I left Mississippi in 1976 and went to Greenwich Village, and I did everything I could to get in front of people. I played the so-called folk scene at the time, which was Folk City and Kenny’s Castaways and The Bitter End (which was called The Other End at that time). I tried to see what would happen if I went over to CBGBs and they liked what I was doing. I wound up opening some shows for Talking Heads when they were a trio.

Then you put out your first record.

Yes, in 1978, I put out Alive on Arrival. Then Jackrabbit Slim. I’ve released 21 albums of original material since then.

In 1979, you hit the Top 20 with “Romeo’s Tune” which was on Jack Rabbit Slim.

Yes, we almost hit the Top 10. I think we were number 11.

Things must have picked up quickly. It sounds like a whirlwind!

Well, that’s right! I actually wrote a memoir, Big City Cat, which came out in 2018. I’ll have those at the show. It’s all in there - when you’re just getting started things are usually pretty colorful.

Once “Romeo’s Tune” hit the charts, it led Forbert all over the world, landing in Japan in 1980. Although Forbert downplays being described as “the next Dylan” by The Village Voice, the comparison remains. His rich storytelling, sometimes layered with piano, percussion, and the full band production, or pared down, always keeps some trademark flare. However, with a buoyant pep-in-its-step, I would argue that Forbert picked up some optimism where Bob Dylan left off.

So what was it like performing Americana music in Japan?

Well, the Americana term came around in the early nineties. Prior to that, it was just American music. It was thought to be maybe kind of roots music, and it was. It was thought to be what could be called folk rock at the time. It was accepted all over the world. People didn’t have any reason to put it in a box and say that they were unable to relate to it. It was appealing all over the world. It still is.

In 1985, Forbert moved to Nashville. Surrounded by country chart toppers like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Steve Earl and Roseanne Cash, Forbert enjoyed working and living in the Mecca of country music and married and raised three children in the area. He moved to Asbury Park in 2017 and throughout this time continued to produce original music. Forbert produced a cover album called Early Morning Rain, the title serves as a homage to Gordon Lightfoot, in 2020.

What inspired you to record a cover album?

After all those decades of putting out records, I decided I wanted to move ahead and do a cover album. Most everybody does a cover album at some point. They record some of their favorite songs by other people. David Bowie did it with Pin Ups, Shawn Colvin had Covergirl. It took me decades when I finally wanted to do something like that. I really cared about the songs I picked including “Your Song” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and “Supersonic Rocketship” by The Kinks. I also cover some Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan.

The Kennett Flash will present “An Evening with Steve Forbert” April 11 beginning at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event can be purchased by visiting https://kennettflash.org/event/steve-forbert/kennett-flash/kennett-square-pennsylvania/.

To learn more about Steve Forbert and see his current music videos, visit www.steveforbert.com.