Robert Thomas And The Sessionmen

“These boys know what they're doing.” - Rodney Crowell

“THESE BOYS KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOIN'…”

RODNEY CROWELL

“HIGHLY RECOMMENDED”

THE AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION

2025 International Acoustic Music Award Winner Robert Thomas has crafted songs for legends including, Kenny Rogers, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker and the Dixie Chicks. As a staff writer for music publishing, Thomas was tasked with writing hits and his diverse repertoire reflects that. He writes songs we can all connect with - memorable sing along melodies, clever, ear friendly lyrics couched in a wide-ranging array of rhythms - all introduced with a captivating, often humorous, repartee that is a throwback to the story telling era of Mark Twain, Garrison Keillor and Stuart Maclean. Accompanied on fiddle, mandolin, guitar, keyboards and percussion by the legendary “sessionmen” - Ray Legere and Jon Arsenault - whose credits in their own right include, Alison Krauss, Rita MacNeil, Doc Watson, Tony Rice and The Chieftains - Thomas delivers beautiful and energetic Folk/Americana mixed with a touch of Bluegrass that has captivated audiences across North America and Europe, and garnered Entertainer of the Year and multiple songwriter nominations from the East Coast Music Association.

Award winning Canadian Folk/Americana songwriter Robert Thomas will release his much-anticipated sophomore album “The Way We Roll” on May 1. Following on the heels of a career writing for the likes of Bonnie Raitt and the Dixie Chicks and the highly regarded 2022 release “Parallel Lines,” the first 3 pre-release singles from “The Way We Roll” have already garnered over 100K streams, 50K video views, an International Acoustic Music Award and an Official Video Selection at the Folkstone Film Festival (U.K.)

Produced and recorded by JUNO winners Catherine Maclellan and Mark Westberg, “The Way We Roll” features, Thomas' legendary backing unit, the sessionmen - Ray Legere and Jon Arsenault - and guest appearances by some of Canada's finest acoustic players - Ivan Rosenburg, Terra Spencer, Carlie Howell, and Rich Knox.

Folk Radio promotion will be handled by the venerable Art Menius.

Thomas and the sessionmen will Tour North America in support of the album beginning May 1 in Montreal.

Tour tickets

For complimentary media tickets please contact - Jane Harbury jane@harbury.ca

"IMPRESSIVE MUSICIANSHIP, SO CLEAN, SO SOLID AND FULL OF LIFE AND ENERGY. I LOVE 'EM."

BARBARA CLOYD - THE BLUEBIRD CAFE - NASHVILLE

"PRETTY WICKED"

BILL ROACH - CBC - EAST COAST MUSIC HOUR

ALBUM DETAIL:

“The Way We Roll,” is a Folk/Americana recording at its most elemental. In many ways, the spiritual and acoustic cousin to Jason Isbell's “Southeastern,” Thomas' new release is an intimate reminiscence of growing up in hardscrabble Atlantic Canada. From the spirited, universally relatable chorus of “Kick the Can” and “Labour of Love,” to the bittersweet tension and resignation of “Michelin” and “Springhill,” there is a razor sharp musical and lyrical purpose to this record. “There ‘aint nothing left but ash and dust / and the Cumberland Whipoorwills” perfectly captures Springhill, Nova Scotia where small town dreams died hard in October 1958, while “it 'aint a miracle to fall from above / it's a labour, a labour of love” captures the youthful spirit of Thomas' first band, circa 1976. “Beside You,” the album's most poignant moment is stripped down to just piano and voice and Thomas' vocal lives and breaths the loneliness of life on the road and the longing for home, as Terra Spencer's restrained piano brings the message home.

Produced, Engineered and Mixed by JUNO winners Catherine MacLellan and Mark Westberg, the production is remarkably restrained, warm and present and the selection of players inspired. The always stellar sessionmen - Ray Legere and Jon Arsenault - deliver the band's signature fiddle solos, guitar work and harmonies while MacLellan's decision to invite dobro / banjo stalwart Ivan Rosenberg is a masterstroke. Rosenberg's always magical playing brings a Bluegrass tinge to the proceedings that, with Legere's fiddle, makes for very serious listening. Rosenberg and Legere take turns delivering pure alchemy on the haunting love lost ballad, “Lake Louise” and Rosenberg and Westberg combine with impeccable taste on the sparse, reflective “A River Runs Through” where Thomas, now in his 60's reflects on his short time and incisively cuts to the chase, “my two boys are now grown men / and we will not pass this way again.”

MacLellan brings rhythm section aces Rich Knox and Carlie Howell to the table for the up tempo “Cast a Line” - a sideways glance at the Halifax singles scene and the perfectly realized title track, “The Way We Roll” - Thomas' homage to the intricate, satirical lyric writing of Ray Wylie Hubbard. The chorus of the title track, “if you wanna join the party / better bring your heart and soul” sums up this recording nicely....everyone did. This is a record not to be missed.