By Ryan Dahlman
Prairies

Anyone who likes music and has taken in a music festival, fundraiser, bar, lounge or frankly anywhere in southeast Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan has probably heard Rob Hudec play.

With different collaborations such as The Rob Hudec Trio, the The Rob Hudec Band, The Rob Hudec Acoustic Duo, he can pretty much cover any musical taste of fans.

His base music is definitely rhythm and blues, but Hudec’s original songs also dabbles in reggae, country, rock, folk, and even Latin and Slovak on his latest CD.

“You have to pay your dues, that’s for sure,” says Hudec.

Hudec has enjoyed a lot of success playing many different venues in southeast Alberta and southwest Sask. The Leader, Sask. native lived in Swift Current for a while, but now makes his base in Medicine Hat. His latest effort Dandelion was interesting. He has an acoustic effort of the same name on the CD.

“The meaning of the Dandelion song is (myself) or a friend of mine — don’t remember, picturing two guys on a pumperjack car on the railroad tracks in the country and dandelion seeds floating in the air — that’s what the song felt like,” explains Hudec who did some of the tracks in his home studio, but put it together in a studio in Richmound owned by Stephen Kambeitz. “Also, as I waited for the first cover painting, I thought about the wilted flower for the back cover, then of course, the puffball for the disc. It also has a spiritual meaning — life, death and resurrection.”

Hudec plays all types of venues, with or without a band. He said each offers its own challenges.

In a place such as the Cracked Peppercorn restaurant, it’s just himself playing acoustic guitar.

Some people pay attention, some patrons just want background music. It’s a humbling experience at times and others it’s quite intimate because you can talk with those who are there.

Other times he plays a half-hour set at an outdoor festival and it’s more of a rush, to play “his best line-up” in 30 minutes.

However, no matter where you see Hudec, don’t expect major pyro, fancy lights or him playing guitar behind his head, wearing sequined costumes.

No matter where Hudec plays, he has to be honest. A performer’s effort and interest shows with what they do.
“With any performance, you play it the best you can, but I have to be who I am,” says Hudec. “I can’t be one of those guys who jump around on stage. It’s too showy for me I always thought it was cheesy. I’m more modest; I play in a more subtle way.

“It’s all about the song. My brother Al (who still lives in Swift Current) gave me a piece of advice and it always stuck with me: ‘play for the song.’”

He has played in a band with his brother Alan for more than 20 years.

Lost and Found (2000) his first effort and the second is The Absynthe Sessions (2005), which is a compliment of blues covers.

“I always loved playing music,” explains Hudec, from a family of 10 children. “Never realized it (to do it as a profession) until later on. In high high school they asked what we wanted to do as a job. I didn’t have a clue. Piano tuner?”

He must be doing okay. If you look at his myspace account friends list it includes legends Van Morrison, Robert Johnson, Neil Young and Shawn Mullins.

If you’re interested in a CD, e-mail him at robhudectelus.net or visit his website at: www.robhudec.com or his myspace page at www.myspace.com/robhudec.

CDs will also be available at cd plus, Sandfly Gallery and i-tunes in a few weeks.

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