Rob McHale - Fields

Rob McHale is a North Carolina-based Folk-Americana artist whose songs can take you through a small town, down a dirt road or on an historical journey – and bring you back home again. Rob’s flair for penning historical and social commentary songs has received recognition and awards from American Songwriter Magazine, Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, Dallas Songwriters Association, and Billboard.

Rob performs solo internationally, and regionally with his band featuring his brother Pat on harmonica, Frank Berridge on bass, Jim Singer on Violin and Peter McCranie on resonator guitar.

Rob’s latest release *Prophets on the Boulevard* ( March 2018 ) reached #8 on the Folk DJ Charts and held the #9, , 11, and 23 songs. *Tom Dooley and Friends* (October 2016 ) reached #8 on the Folk DJ Charts in October of 2016 and held the #2 and #9 songs. In 2015 Rob won 2nd Place in the Woody Guthrie Song Competition and earned a place on the Main Stage at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival.

Rob has partnered with Charlotte Corbin Barnes, Author ‘The Tom Dooley Files'(2016) for presentations in Historical Societies. libraries, and other venues. The presentations are combination shows with an introduction to the Tom Dooley Legend by Mrs. Barnes followed by a concert with mainly historical song content,( Blair Mountain, Jesse James, General George Custer, small towns, Sherman’s March, Dred Scott, John Brown, The Castlebar Races, Woody Guthrie, etc. from his previous and future releases, followed by a book signing.

In addition to performing throughout North Carolina and the southeastern U.S., McHale founded and hosts the Summit Coffee Songwriters Showcase in Davidson, NC that features local, regional and touring artists. The popular monthly series now in its ninth year has presented over 100 shows.

Fields is about things we have lost and things we have found, a brush with history, home and family. The CD takes you through the Civil War without choosing sides. It let’s you reflect on the past through an honest and open window. Also included among its ten tracks are a brief foray into Irish history and reflective songs that focus on chances, family and the environment – with good wishes to close out the disc.

Tracklist

• 1. Surrounded Again
• 2. Back Home
• 3. Irons and Chains
• 4. The Castlebar Races
• 5. Fast Movin' Train
• 6. Mother's Love
• 7. Fields
• 8. Fire and the Guns
• 9. Old Smoky
• 10. Wishing Well