Rob Barton

"After years away, stepping back to the mic with these guys felt like waking up a part of me I thought was gone. One song and I knew—I still belonged here."

SongStory

Rob Barton's story as told through musical moments.

SongStory

Zero Ego Zone

"From day one these guys treated me with absolute respect and made me feel completely at home...."

Zero Ego Zone

From day one these guys treated me with absolute respect and made me feel completely at home. To me, a huge part of the success – or lack of it – for any band, is ego. Because musicians are artists, usually the ego is a big part of the creation process and can cause some serious friction but not with these guys. Sure, we have our disagreements, but in the end we all know that what wins out is always what's best for the band.

SongStory

Craving the Stage Again

"When the urge to write again first crept back in, I kept finding myself drawn to the music of a regional band called Step Echo...."

Craving the Stage Again

When the urge to write again first crept back in, I kept finding myself drawn to the music of a regional band called Step Echo. Brian and Aki were both key members, and I remember thinking that if I ever joined another band, that was exactly the kind of sound I’d want to be part of. They’d done well for themselves—landing solid shows and signing with a respectable label. About a year later, I heard that Step Echo had quietly dissolved. I didn’t dwell on it much at the time. Then Brian called. He told me they were starting a new project and asked if I wanted to meet. I was thrilled!

SongStory

Finding My Way After Loss

"I lost my sister unexpectantly seven years ago...."

Finding My Way After Loss

I lost my sister unexpectantly seven years ago. It hit me really hard, and still does, but back then I felt like the bottom dropped out. Creating music was the furthest thing from my mind for over a year. But slowly I started to realize that my sister who was also a musician (a very skilled piano player) would never want me to stop playing music. When I picked up my guitar again for the first time, I felt her there with me. Whenever I sang she would always harmonize with me and I could hear those harmonies that day. She was always my biggest fan and whenever I'm on stage I wear a pendant with her finger print on it to make sure she's right there with me.

SongStory

Pre-Teen

Earliest impactful music memory

"This is going waaaaay back!..."

Earliest impactful music memory

Life In the Fast Lane

Eagles

This is going waaaaay back! But I remember when I was about eleven or twelve years old. Our family was on a road trip to Disney World. Along the way we would stop at various KOA's to camp spend the night. I remember going to the recreation hall of one particular KOA. You know where they have the ping pong tables etc. There was a juke box in the corner. An older couple was playing pool and one went over and put on a song. It was Life in the Fast Lane by the Eagles. As soon as I heard the opening guitar riff I remember thinking 'what is that?" I loved it so much I had to run back to camp and bum a couple dollars from my dad which I used to play that song over and over again. That was the start of knowing I wanted to create music.