GRAMMYS WITHIN GRASP
Long a fixture of Chicago’s music scene, Robbie Fulks is finally on the industry radar, vying for two awards on Sunday
It’s been a long time coming. For Chicago singer- songwriter Robbie Fulks, it’s taken nearly a quarter- century for the music industry to officially recognize the work that has made him a household name to fans of Americana/ roots/ bluegrass/ country and folk. And a few more genres that can lay claim to his lush tenor and soulful guitar strains.
This year Fulks has been nominated for two Grammys: best folk album, “Upland Stories,” and best American roots song, “Alabama at Night,” the first single off the disc. The nominations are the first for him and Chicago- based indie label Bloodshot Records.
“I just never pursued it before. [ Grammy consideration is based on entries submitted by Recording Academy members or registered media companies.] This is truly the first time I went after it,” Fulks said during a recent interview, when asked about receiving the nominations. “A neighbor of mine who’s won two Emmys put it into perspective for me. He pursued it nine times, got nominated six times and won two. So I don’t expect to win my first time out. And that’s OK. I’ll definitely pursue it again.”
Fulks is up against some stiff competition in both categories, with nominees that include Rihannon Giddens, Jack White, Judy Collins and Vince Gill, among others. But “Upland Stories” is no lightweight; Rolling Stone placed it No. 15 on its list of the 40 best country music albums of 2016.
Fulks, who makes his home in Chicago’s northern suburbs, has been a familiar face on Chicago’s music scene since his 1996 debut album, “Country Love Songs.” He’s been a constant presence at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn and at the Hideout in Wicker Park, where on any given Monday night, you’ll find Fulks in residence. ( His last “Mondays with Robbie” shows are slated for Feb. 20 and 27.) Q. What was it about “Upland Sto- ries” that made you decide to pursue the Grammy?
A. My wife and I talked about it before I did it. I’ve done 11 other records, and you get to a point where you’re like, ‘ Can I do another one maybe a little bit better?’ But you get to the point of, well, what do I want out of another record? And so we thought we’d like to get a Grammy nomination and suchand- such sales. We didn’t get the such- and- such sales, but we got the nomination. You like to have a sense of progress in your career, I guess.
Q. This is a very personal album on so many levels. You once said that you “have a hard time writing songs as a middle- aged man because you no longer like anything very much.” Can you explain what you meant? A. [ Laughs] The kernel of truth there is that you have to find new subjects to write about if you’re a distinctly older person than you were. I’m definitely middle- age now, and I don’t think it’s good to sing about falling in love or driving fast cars. It’s not gonna work for me, when I’m the guy delivering it on stage. With that in mind, there are three things that were in play for me on the last two records. One is literature that excited me or inspires me, and the other is personal experiences — looking back. And the third is socio- political, just thinking about how people live, the daily headlines.
Q. You’re about to close out your Monday night residency at the Hideout. What did you learn about yourself from that experience?
A. It’s been great. Somebody reminded me that I stopped doing weddings almost the same time I started doing the Hideout. I was getting weary of the wedding thing; it was a little like being on a treadmill. But like the weddings, at the Hideout I got to do covers, do songs other people wrote. I love singing other people’s music. After seven years, though, it’s starting to feel like that [ treadmill] again. It’s time to cross the bridge and move on. But I won’t leave covers behind altogether. I did a Hideout show once where I covered an album of Dylan’s called “Street- Legal,” where I did complete reinterpretations of the songs, much like I did for the Michael Jackson album. So I’m actually doing a record of those songs. I’m about halfway through.
Q. Will you have a speech prepared for the Grammys, just in case? And how has the nomination changed things in general in your life? Does it on some level validate your work?
A. No speech. I’ll have to make it up. I’m counting on not winning, so no need to write one. But I’m gonna keep at it. Maybe I’ll write a speech for the sixth time I’m nominated. I guess it’s a little validating. Everybody’s nicer to me all of a sudden. Maybe I’m a little more popular now. [ Laughing] The neighbors on my block have always been very nice. Now it’s like, ‘ What’s he doing in there playing that banjo all the time? Maybe we should pay attention.’ ”
NOTE: The Grammy Awards will be televised at 7 p. m. Feb. 12 on CBS.
“I GUESS IT’S A LITTLE VALIDATING. EVERYBODY’S NICER TO ME ALL OF A SUDDEN. MAYBE I’M A LITTLE MORE POPULAR NOW.” ROBBIE FULKS, joking about his two Grammy nominations