Biography
Robbie Fulks, born Robert William Fulks on March 25, 1963 in York, Pennsylvania, is a pioneering figure in American alternative country and Americana music. Raised in a musically inclined family, Fulks spent his formative years in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina, where he absorbed a wide range of traditional American music. He began playing banjo at age six and guitar at eleven, later attending Columbia University in New York City before leaving to pursue music full time.
Fulks moved to Chicago in the early 1980s, joining the Special Consensus Bluegrass Band and teaching at the Old Town School of Folk Music. He became a staff songwriter in Nashville during the 1990s, but his solo career took off with the release of 'Country Love Songs' (1996) and 'South Mouth' (1997), records that helped define the alt-country movement. Known for his sharp wit, inventive storytelling, and instrumental virtuosity, Fulks has released over 15 albums, including the Grammy-nominated 'Upland Stories' (2016). His work spans honky tonk, bluegrass, and roots music, and he is celebrated for both his reverence for tradition and his willingness to push genre boundaries.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Fulks has collaborated with a wide range of artists, produced records for others, and seen his songs covered by notable musicians. His influence on the Americana and alt-country scenes is profound, and his legacy is marked by both critical acclaim and a fiercely independent artistic spirit.
Fun Facts
- Fulks once released a full album reinterpreting Michael Jackson's music, showcasing his genre-bending creativity.
- He is a regular performer at Second City’s holiday fundraisers, sharing the stage with comedians like Tina Fey and Fred Armisen.
- Fulks has appeared on major radio and TV shows including NPR’s 'Fresh Air,' PBS’s 'Austin City Limits,' and NBC’s 'Late Night with Conan O’Brien.'
- He taught at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music for over a decade, influencing a generation of musicians.
Associated Acts
- Special Consensus - guitar (1988–1990)
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Family (Aunt Stella, Aunt Mildred, Mother, Father) - Early musical exposure and instruction; each played different instruments, fostering Fulks's multi-instrumental skills. (N/A (childhood influence)) [1960s–1970s]
Key Collaborators
- Steve Albini - Engineer and creative partner on early solo albums; helped shape Fulks's sound. (Country Love Songs, South Mouth) [1990s]
- The Special Consensus Bluegrass Band - Band member, showcased flatpicking guitar style. (Live performances, recordings) [1987–early 1990s]
- Linda Gail Lewis - Duo album blending rockabilly and country. (Wild! Wild! Wild!) [2018]
- The Mekons - Collaborative album with punk legends. (Jura) [2013]
- Rob Gjersoe, Lorne Rall, Dan Massey - Core band members for several albums and tours. (Let's Kill Saturday Night and others) [1990s–2000s]
Artists Influenced
- Old 97s - Covered Fulks's songs; cited as an influence in alt-country. (Covers and stylistic influence) [1990s–present]
- Hiss Golden Messenger - Covered Fulks's songs; influenced by songwriting style. (Covers) [2010s–present]
- Andrew Bird - Covered Fulks's songs; Fulks's narrative songwriting cited as inspiration. (Covers) [2000s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Country Love Songs | 1996-06-27 | Album |
| Wild! Wild! Wild! | 2018-08-10 | Album |
| Gone Away Backward | 2013-08-27 | Album |
| South Mouth | 1997-10-07 | Album |
| Been All Around This World | 2025-06-20 | Album |
| Upland Stories | 2016-04-01 | Album |
| Let's Kill Saturday Night | 1998-01-01 | Album |
| Bluegrass Vacation | 2023-04-07 | Album |
| Revenge! (Live) | 2007-05-01 | Album |
| Georgia Hard | 2005-05-17 | Album |
| 13 Hillbilly Giants | 2001-11-06 | Album |
| Jura | 2015-11-27 | Album |
| Happy | 2010-03-25 | Album |
| 50-Vc. Doberman Sampler | 2009-01-05 | Album |
| Couples in Trouble | 2001 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Long I Ride (Gone Away Backward)
- She Took A Lot Of Pills (And Died) (Country Love Songs)
- I Just Lived a Country Song (Wild! Wild! Wild!)
- Been All Around This World
- The Buck Starts Here (Country Love Songs)
- Fuck This Town (South Mouth)
- Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness (Lives Wisely)
- Every Kind Of Music But Country (Country Love Songs)
- Aunt Peg's New Old Man (Upland Stories)
- Rock Bottom, Pop. 1 (Country Love Songs)
External Links
Tags: #alternative-country, #bluegrass, #neo-traditionalist-country
References
Heard on WWOZ
Robbie Fulks has been played 5 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2025 | 16:08 | make it fast, make it slowfrom make it fast, make it slow | World Journeyw/ Logan | |
| Nov 10, 2025 | 20:03 | She Took a Lot of Pills (And Died) | Blues and R&Bw/ Gentilly Jr. | |
| Nov 5, 2025 | 13:25 | There's A Manfrom Now Then | New Orleans Music Showw/ Missy Bowen | |
| Nov 5, 2025 | 12:54 | Poor And Sharp-Wittedfrom Now Then | New Orleans Music Showw/ Missy Bowen | |
| Sep 28, 2025 | 14:11 | Ol' Folksfrom Now Then | Homespun Americanaw/ Ol Man River |