Bob Gramann
Bob Gramann likes songs that say something new or look at something old in a new way – songs that make the listener focus, reflect, and react. His songs aim for that spark of insight, that “Aha!” of listener satisfaction. Current events and human priorities give him ample material for reflection, humor, and satire. Sing Out Magazine called him “witty and insightful.” The Washington Post’s Eve Ziebart saw him as “a where’s-my-Whole-Earth-catalogue sort of New Guy who’d rather be kayaking than fighting the good lawn fight.”
During the past two decades, Gramann has earned respect as a songwriter, presenter, and guitar maker in central Virginia. Among his honors are a surprise WAMMIE nomination and play on NPR’s Car Talk. His song “Sara Sing” is included on the FOCUS compilation Capitol Acoustics III CD.
Gramann also builds guitars. He has made over 100 instruments and boasts a long list of happy owners. He sells his handmade guitars through Picker’s Supply in downtown Fredericksburg, at the House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park, MD, at musician’s gatherings, and on his website. He branched out into banjos when he wrote a song that required banjo accompaniment. To see some of his fine instruments, visit http://www.bobgramann.com/
An avid canoeist and conservationist, Gramann is especially proud that his musical urgings raise public awareness of river and environmental issues. His song “Rappahannock Running Free” first called for the removal of the aging Embrey dam in 1993. In February, 2004, Gramann had the honor of singing this song to a crowd of thousands (with CNN coverage) just minutes before two major explosions breeched the dam’s foundation. The removal of the dam exposed 4 rapids, allowed the upstream migration of anadromous fish for the first time in 150 years, and demonstrated the power of folk music when coupled with plastic explosives.
You can see Bob perform at the Friends of the Rappahannock Concerts in Fredericksburg, infrequent restaurant gigs, and sometimes at the Fredericksburg Songwriters' Showcase . Although he's not avidly seeking gigs, he is available for private shows.