One of my fondest memories that still stand out in my mind is getting a call at home one day from Robert inviting me to come to his recording studio to meet Keith Emerson. Now, how many times will that happen in someone’s lifetime?

Not only am I fortunate to have Robert as a friend but now he has joined forces with another group of friends that I consider an extended part of my family "AMBROSIA".

I have envisioned this venture for longer than anyone can imagine. For years I pictured it and heard it in my head. When I first approached Robert with my idea Ambrosia seemed to be at a crossroads. I felt the collaboration would be perfect because all of these talents were cut from the same mold...all are talented, professional and captivating. Every single one of them cares about their fans and the people around them. And like Ambrosia, Robert's career started as a progressive rock musician and went more toward the straight rock thing as it progressed.

Not since the original lineup have there been so many possibilities for Ambrosia fans. The progressive material is rockin' again. The rock songs are powerful and aggressive and the lighter tunes are played with a new energy that brings them alive with a whole new feeling.

There is not enough paper or ink for me to tell you just what type of person Robert is, but I'm sure as the band tours and you all get the chance to meet and talk with him, you will all know exactly what I'm "Talkin'Bout"

For more in-depth information on his achievements visit.

http://www.robertberry.com/

I am extremely proud to introduce my friend ROBERT BERRY.

Q.) Your talent's are unlimited. Being able to use
your voice in a wide array of styles, play numerous
instruments as well as produce and so much more is
amazing. How did this all fall into place? Did you
study and learn all these aspects? Did any of it
just come natural?

Half of what I learned I got from 10 years of piano
lessons. I took 8 years of classical piano and 2
years of jazz. I played trumpet in elementary school
and had about 5 guitar lessons. My dad had a music
store that sold pianos and organs. When I was in Jr.
High he took on the Vox guitar and Amp line which is
the type of equipment the Beatles used. Having that
kind of equipment for sale meant that many of the
local musicians traded in their used instruments.
Drums, accordions, vibes, violins and more. I would
fool around with a lot of these instruments even
though I couldn't actually play them well. I taught
myself bass and drums and got more experienced on the
guitar from playing with some great guys in my area.



While in high school I started working at a recording
studio named Tiki sound in San Jose California. Since
I played a lot of instruments I would wind up fixing
parts for clients if we got to the mix down and
something didn't sound right. Then my boss had the
idea to offer a package deal where I played all the
instruments for a client. That is what started me
gaining 100's of hours of playing and arranging time
on a variety of instruments. To this day next to
playing live this is what I love to do the most.


Tiki Sound

Most of my business at my studio Soundtek is solo artists
and corporate clients that come to me to supply the
entire production. I love everyday I go to work. So
half is learned and half was picked up on the street so to speak.

Robert works at Soundtek

Q.) Your Father was a well known music store owner.
How did this affect your career in music and was he always
supportive in your choice to work in such a tough
industry?

I think a lot of what influenced my choice to go into
music was the fact that when I was just a baby my
parents used to practice with their band in our living
room. My mom was the singer for my dad's dance band.
They had a big band that toured a lot of the U.S. My
parents were never the type that pushed me into
anything. They were just right behind me being
supportive when I took an interest in something.

At 9 I was into horses and they helped me find ways to
earn the money to buy one. Then they did all that driving
and trailering that comes with caring for and showing
a horse. They weren't horse people before that but
they were sure there for me and learned about what was
needed to help me realize that dream. Both my parents
were always supportive of my choices. As long as I
made a choice. And I think that was the key. I knew
very early on that music was the thing for me. My
poor horse kind of got left in the dust at one point.

I got in my first band at 12 and that was that for the
horse. I played with older high school guys and my
parents used to cart the equipment in their station
wagon and come back after a gig and pick it (and me)
up. Never pushing. Just right there behind me
supporting my choices. To my father, nothing was a
tough industry. He was one of those guys that just
knew how to make things work out right. No problems.
Just things that needed solutions. I'm trying to set
the same example for my kids.


Robert works the keyboard-note the Vox amp!

Q.) From the start to right now, what is the one thing
that you are the most proud of in your
accomplishments?

That is a hard one. What I tell most the new artists
I produce is that if you choose music or any art
related profession be prepared to fail everyday. You
have to do your art for yourself first. It is hard to
break through the barriers and get others to recognize
you. So what I think I am the most proud of is not
giving up. I spent many lonely months in a hotel in
London waiting to get a band together not knowing what
was going to happen. I have spent many disappointing
days on the road hoping my song will climb the charts.
I have spent not only 100's of hours writing and
recording music but also been deeply involved in the
promotion, then played to a crowd of a few hundred.
But then I have experienced that hit song, playing
Madison Square Gardens, working with major musicians.
The few rewards outshine the days and weeks of
disappointments. But every one of those hours and
weeks I have enjoyed because I do music first of all
for myself. Somebody asked me what I would do if I
wasn't playing music. I still don't have an answer.


Madison Square Gardens

Q.) The music world is a tough community to work in,
and I know you have had your own share of ups and
downs in it. What would you say is the hardest part of
being involved in that arena?

The hardest part is way past making the music. To
write, record and get an album together takes hours of
writing time, rehearsal time and expensive studio
time. To get a record contract and promote that
record is something that an artist should never have
to deal with but has to. We, as creative types, are
just not geared to the art of selling. When we
perform we are not selling we are expressing. So all
of it past the pleasure of making the music is
definitely the hardest part.

Q.) I have known you and been around you for a major
portion of my life and you have remained the same all
through it. Most people would become arrogant or self
distruct with the "All Access" items that have ruined
many others careers. How did you then and now up to
this very day stay grounded and not let that get to
you?

Well, one of the main things I do to stay the same is
keep my studio very cold. It preserves the meat.
Keeps the wrinkles away. Oh you mean personality
wise? I have been very fortunate to realize a lot of
my dreams. I have worked with guys I idolized when I
was growing up. Keith Emerson, Carl Palmer, Steve
Howe, Sammy Hagar. And I don't think you know this
but back in 1980 my first professional band Hush
opened for a bunch of guys called Ambrosia. We
weren't even close to as good as them but we had
progressive and pop elements just like Ambrosia. They
left a big impression on my musical career. To be
playing with them now is the perfect fit for me. So
the successes throughout the years have kept me
grounded and happy. And eating by the way. As lucky
as I've been, I still don't feel successful and that
is where the balance in my life lies. I have so much
more to do.

I guess I jumped the gun on that one. I think more
importantly when I wanted to get back into touring and
was thinking of bands that I would like to play with
Ambrosia was at the top of my list. I had other
offers. I had a few other ideas but I actually
pursued Ambrosia. With your help of course. All
these years of you being a number one Ambrosia fan and
linked to the bands promotion was just the in I needed
to make my pitch. I can't thank you enough for that.
I am having the time of my life.

Q.) You had other popular bands pursuing you before
you became a member of Ambrosia. What was it that
made you want to enter this group and not any of the
others?

I have two sides to my music. I have been fortunate
to have started in a progressive band, Hush. We
started by playing covers of Yes and Genesis and then
went on to write and record our own prog pieces. Got
a record contract, toured and slowly changed to being
a straight rock band. I later played with guys like
Keith Emerson in a progressive band. After that I
formed a band with the members of Sammy Hagar's band
after he went to Van Halen. Definitely a straight
rock band. Really powerful but melodic. And Ambrosia
combines all of those styles into one band and their
audience expects that and excepts that from them.
That just seemed like the perfect landing place for
me. I have been amazed during my first tour with
Ambrosia how many guys come up after the show and are
actually familiar with my progressive music, and on a
wider scale my progressive rock endeavors with Magna
Carta Records. Also what is so cool for me is the pop
part of the audience reaction to the hits Ambrosia
had. The lighter classic rock sound is something that
really stayed in the hearts of many fans. It is
really rewarding the way that part of the audience
makes us feel. It's kind of like them going to their
High School reunion. Good, warm memories and feelings.

Q.) How has it been thus far from the first time you
walked on stage with band up until now?

I am getting to feel more comfortable all the time.
My first performance with Ambrosia was a week and a
half after they had talked to me about joining. I had
no rehearsals and on top of a totally full studio
schedule, a whole set of songs to learn. I hadn't
played in a band where I did anything but my own songs
for many years. It's important to me to make these
songs feel like my own. I'm getting there. I think
once we do a new album I will really feel like part of
the band. But I do have to say, that first
performance at a mountain winery in Lodi California
felt musically like I had come home.


Robert's demo  CD                                       Lodi show poster

Q,) What is the one piece of memorabilia that you own
Guitar, Award, Picture etc. That means the most to you?

Only one? I have a small pipe organ that a guy made
to win a contest to come on the tour bus with Keith,
Carl and I. I have a guitar signed on the wood before
they finished it from Eddie Van Halen. But one of my
most cherished pieces is the guitar I play on stage
with Ambrosia. The guitar player for the band Boston,
Gary Pihl, gave me that guitar. We have a side
project called Alliance that we have a lot of fun
with. One day while recording the second album he
just dropped that guitar on me. Very cool. Rick
Wakeman signed my Mellotron, Chris Squire signed my
Rickenbacker bass. I just have so many momentos from
the guys I have worked with. It's hard to pick just
one. Music and musicians have been very good to me.

For Questions or Comments
Contact
PATRICK ROSSI
@
[email protected]

ambrosia web