Robert Burkhardt
Music Background:
Robert's primary instrument is guitar, he also performs and composes on
keyboards, percussion & bass guitar. His first instrument was the drums, which he began playing at the age of 10. He performed for several years on snare drum with the Brookfield, Connecticut Fife and Drum Corps. Robert also played drums in a rock "power trio" at 15, covering such
tunes as Hendrix's "Fire", and Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love". He developed an interest in guitar when he was 19, and studied music theory
and piano at Colorado State University,
as well as jazz guitar from a local Fort Collins, CO instructor/jazz guitarist Bill Bogard. Robert's music influences are many:
Drums- Lenny White, Mitch Mitchell, Phil Collins, Steve Gadd; Bass Guitar-
Stanley Clark; Keyboards- Chick Corea, Brian Auger, Jan Hammer;
Composers/songwriters: Lalo Schifrin, Jerry Goldsmith, Jagger/Richards, Hendrix,
Donovan Leach, Sting, Billy Joel; Guitar- Al DiMeola, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck,
Keith Richards, and Eric Johnson.
Favorite bands: Rolling Stones, Return To Forever, Brand X, Jimi Hendrix
Experience, Dixie Dregs (Steve Morse), Journey, Santana, Yes, Allman
Brothers, Sly & The Family Stone, The Hollies, Three Dog Night, Four Seasons,
Paul Revere and the Raiders, Dave Clark Five.
Favorite singers: Frankie Valli, Steve Perry, Graham Nash, Dion DiMucci, Natalie
Imbruglia, Chaka Khan, Annie Haslam (Renaissance), Ellen McIllwaine.
Songs from Robert's CD "Only Human", have been featured on KCSU-FM 90.5 in
Ft.Collins, as part of their "Featured Artist Of The Week" series. He has been
highlighted in strats.com-The former official website of the "Fender
Stratocaster", for his high energy instrumental compositions "Passing Lane", and "Stormchaser". In May '00, his rock song "Look Before You Leap" was showcased in Takarajima Magazine (Japan) "Best of MP3". He reached # 1 on the "contemporary classical" chart at mp3.com with "Answered Prayers", an orchestral composition.
His songs "Sibling Rivalry", "Flashback", and "Predator" have reached the top
ten on the "Colorado regional" chart at Broadjam.com, with "Predator" hitting
the #1 spot in December '01. His song "Delirium" has reached the Top Ten, Earth, North American, and Colorado regional charts at Broadjam.com (Feb. '03).
Robert has also received recognition from the "Colorado Songwriter's Awards" in the "Best Guitarist" category, for his instrumental "Voltage Regulator" (original version-1987).
In November 1995, Robert became a member of the "American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers" (ASCAP).
His styles include pop/rock, latin rock, progressive rock/fusion, orchestral,
new age, and country, among his approx. 240 songs.
Performing Background:
Robert's performances have consisted of original and cover material, both
instrumental and vocal, including latin-rock, blues-rock, pop-rock, and
progressive/fusion styles. These compositions enable Robert to feature his lead guitar playing, in solos of varied length, intensity, and style. His scale and
modal work enable him to play in a distinct technical regard. Robert has
performed in numerous clubs in the Ft.Collins region including the "Aggie
Theater", "Avogadro's", "County Cork Pub", "Dimmer's Brew Pub", "Horsetooth
Inn", "Lucky Joe's", "Northern Hotel", "Tony's Lounge", "Friends Saloon", "The Red Garter", "Roberto's", "Sports Page", Colo. State University's "Ramskellar"
and "Durrell Center". He has also performed at "City Park" in an outdoor concert during Fourth of July events, "Old Town Square" for the "New West Fest", and for the annual "Music Festival Of The Rockies". Other performing locations include: Boulder's "J.J. McCabes", and the Fort Collins University Park Holiday Inn.
Studio Experience:
Robert has recorded in a number of Colorado studios over the years, including
"Radiant Star" (Loveland), "Paragon Sound" (Fort Collins), "Eye In The Sky"
(LaPorte), "InSight Sound" (Masonville) and "Audio Works" (Littleton). He
currently records with: Cakewalk Pro Audio, Compaq Presario,
Gadget Labs Wave 8/24, BBE Sonic Maximizer, Behringer Ultragain Pro MIC2200
Preamp, Ensoniq TS-12 synth, Gibson Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster guitars,
Fender Mustang Bass, Emu Proteus, Roland SPD-6 drum pad/trigger, DigiTech
GSP-2101 guitar processor, Morley Power Wah, and a Peavey "Renown" guitar amp.
Robert has released a number of CD projects. "Only Human" (rock/pop, 1999),
"Rooms" (orchestral/new age, 1999), and "Ball Of Fire" (rock, 2001), are all a
thorough representation of his work. Robert's Dec. 2003 CD release "Me, Myself & Eye" is a collection of 12 original instrumentals representing a new level of engineering/production and
performance. He is currently working on the final songs for the "Surfin' Colorado" CD, updating the current compilation in early October! Robert is taking a hiatus from live performing, and might consider returning to the stage again at some point with the right "ingredients"!