Bob Holderbaum

• Bob Holderbaum - 12-str guitar/5-str banjo

You have entertainment needs to meet. Let Bob solve your problem!

"A sugar-free slice of Americana" is what Bob calls his program. Unless one knows the vintage of the songs he sings, the music is ageless. Bob's presentation is 100 percent G-rated. He works closely with booking clients--to ensure that their wants, needs and wishes are met. If time allows, he'll learn requested songs. Bob's quite busy, musically (see gigs). He was chosen to do his program this summer at the prestigious Dow Gardens Lunch-time Concert Series in Midland, MI.

THE MUSIC AND "THE VOICE"

Bob has a powerful, wide-ranging, highly flexible voice. He has decades of experience. He does traditional music--century-old songs, folk music (1950s, 60s, 70s) and light rock from the same period. Bob accompanies himself on 12-string guitar or 5-string banjo. He sometimes sings a cappella--an excellent sense of pitch. Bob's greatest strength is his broad vocal range--from bass/baritone to tenor/falsetto tenor (Tennessee Ernie Ford's "16 Tons" and Del Shannon's "Runaway"). Bob does a often, highly-complimented renditon of Gordon Lightfoot's "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald."

A "PEOPLE PERSON"

Bob has musical talent. However, he is a warm-hearted "people person" with many, many years of public speaking experience. For five years, he hosted a live, call-in talk show on television. This makes for a spontaneous, ever-fresh approach in Bob's between-songs patter.

ADDITIONAL DIMENSION

Bob not only knows how to deliver a song but he knows about the music he does. Bob includes historical snippets for some of the songs he does. Bob's perceptive; he has an unconventional, witty thought process. Each program is punctuated with the on-the-spot products of his sense of humor. It's "garden fresh."

In addition to the traditional/folk music, the "light rock" includes cover tunes by Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison (that vocal range at work!), the softer Beatles songs, etc.

EXPERIENCE AND 9,000+ PEOPLE

Bob's been performing since he was a teenager. In the past seven years, he's done scores of programs. He's played for over 9,000 people--an average audience of about 40 people. Bob is comfortable with large audiences, having cut his "performing teeth" on accordion recital solos--before large audiences--at age six.

Bob plays for widely diverse audiences. He's entertained virtually every type of civic/fraternal organization--also private parties, public library programs, independent and assisted living facilities, nursing homes, reunions, annual meetings, picnics, open houses, corporate functions, you name it.

IN THE WORDS OF THE CLIENTS...

The best judge of Bob's talents are those who have booked/witnessed his program. Actual reactions include:
"What a voice range!"
"A great entertainer for all ages."
"Joyful, irrespressible, lots of fun, terrific repartee."
"New--not the 'same old stuff.'"
"Good stories."
"Banjo is great."

The old saying is, "What you see is what you get!" Well, this otherwise unassuming, quiet, unpretentious guy blossoms in front of a group--and becomes a delightful, highly likable personaity and an engaging program. Your audience can't help but like him.

NEED SOUND HELP?

You may lack a sound system. Many things affect the sound--size of the room, number of people in the audience, indoors or outdoors, etc. Bob has a portable P A system he can use--at no additional cost to you.

If you choose, Bob can provide (FREE) a printer-ready, letter-size color poster and/or a media release announcing your event.


Performing music is Bob's passion. He enjoys pleasing an audience. He enjoys making people smile--as they revisit those golden songs of yore. To those unfamiliar with the music, Bob leaves them with a highly pleasant memory--great material done well. For those who are familiar with the music, Bob resurrects magical and pleasant musical memories--with his own interpretations. He enjoys preserving truly timeless music. It's customary that Bob leaves the audience members humming or singing one or more of the songs he performs! Bob gives every program 100 percent-plus--whether it's six people in a living room or 600 people in an auditorium.

Go ahead! Treat your audience (and yourself!) to "A sugar-free slice of Americana," plus solve your entertainment problems--all in one action!

Bob Holderbaum is just a few clicks away!

• As Tears Go By - Rolling Stones
• A'Soalin' - Peter, Paul & Mary
• Away With Rum - Chad Mitchell Trio
• Beverly Hillbillies Theme - Flatt & Scruggs
• Blowin' in the Wind - Bob Dylan
• Country Roads - John Denver
• Cryin' - Roy Orbison
• Day-O - Harry Belafonte
• Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
• Early Mornin' Rain - Gordon Lightfoot
• For Bobby (For Baby) - John Denver
• For Lovin' Me - Peter, Paul & Mary
• Greenback Dollar - Kingston Trio
• Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh - Allan Sherman
• Homeward Bound - Simon & Garfunkel
• If You Could Read My Mind - Gordon Lightfoot
• Jet Plane - John Denver
• Kisses Sweeter Than Wine - Jimmy Rodgers
• Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream - Chad Mitchell Trio
• Long Black Veil - Traditional
• M.T.A. - Kingston Trio
• Maria - Kingston Trio
• Mark Twain - Several
• Marvelous Little Toy - Tom Paxton
• Me and Bobby McGee - Kris Kristofferson
• Michael - Traditional
• Mornin' Train - Traditional
• Mr. Lonely - Bobby Vinton
• Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
• Puff the Magic Dragon - Peter, Paul & Mary
• Rev. Mr. Black - Kingston Trio
• Runaway - Del Shannon
• Scotch & Soda - Kingston Trio
• Sinking of the Reuben James - Almanac Singers
• Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford
• Sloop John B - Kingston Trio/Beach Boys
• Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
• Tell Old Bill (Don't Leave Home) - Traditional
• The Cat Came Back - Traditional
• This Land is Your Land - Many performers
• This Little Light - Traditional
• Three Jolly Coachmen - Kingston Trio
• Tom Dooley - Kingston Trio
• Where Have all the Flowers Gone? - Peter, Paul & Mary
• Wonderful World - Sam Cooke/Herman's Hermits
• Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - Gordon Lightfoot
• Yesterday - Beatles

Anniversaries, Awards Nights, Baby Showers, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Casinos, Celebrations, Clubs, Cocktail Parties, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Country Clubs, Events, Family Reunions, Festivals, Fraternity Functions, Fund Raisers, Grand Openings, Hotels, July 4th Parties, Luau Parties, New Year's Eve Parties, Picnic, Private Parties, Restaurants, Retirement Parties, Reunions, School Assemblies, Studio Session...and more.

• We had kind of an unusual request and Bob came through perfectly. Everybody loved the performance, he was great about having it match our needs, and the execution was flawless. His voice and playing were excellent and he really went the extra mile. He was also easy to work with on the booking side and great about making sure all the details were figured out. We can't recommend him enough, EXCELLENT!!! -- Michael B, Dexter, MI, 7/14/2011
• Bob is very personable and engaged his audience well. His performance was well received. He is very talented and loves what he does, which can be seen in his performance. We would welcome him again in the future. -- Joseph C, Chicago, IL, 2/12/2012
• Bob was very good!! He asked great questions of me before the performance and tried to do every request I had of him. The group loved him!! He combined stories and music and the group thought he was fantastic. I would strongly recommend him to perform folk music...and to offer a great performance. A wonderful musician and wonderful person!!! -- Casey G, Kalamazoo, MI, 4/20/2012

Click here for more feedback