Dale Robin Singer of Songs bio

Dale Robin is one of the core volunteers at the Kennebunk Coffeehouse, a successful acoustic music venue. Dale Robin and her family live among a wonderful community of music-loving neighbors on a dirt lane nestled in the woods of West Kennebunk.

Musically, Dale Robin can often be found performing with Maine musician Monica Grabin in folk and old time duo Mom's Home Cookin, or singing country and rock and roll songs with her friend and musical co-conspirator, Don Wessels. Her most rcent collaborator, Bassist Don Barry has worked with her on "Sweet adn Salty", her first solo recording, due to eb released int eh summer of 2008. All of Dale Robin's music - whether solo or performed with various musical comrades, is inspired by a passion for the music of real people…the songs that tell the stories of America…the melodies and poetry that bring us all together and the disparate traditions that blend into the delicious and varied palate of American music.

Dale Robin has been singing since she was a child in Brooklyn, New York when her mother and aunt used to sing harmonies in the kitchen. Dale Robin joined in as soon as she could talk, and she used to get into a bit of hot water keeping her older brother Eugene awake, singing under the blankets late into the night.

Dale Robin's teenage years were spent avoiding school and listening to the likes of Richie Havens, Pete Seeger, Buzzy Linhart, Townes Van Zandt, Tom Paxton, Paul Siebel, Bonnie Raitt, David Bromberg and so many others in Central Park and Prospect Park. By the time brother Eugene forgave her for all those nights of endless singing, he was playing blues harp with players all over New York.

With her brother and his friends for a musical guide, Dale Robin found rich and varied musical influences in blues, traditional folk songs, bluegrass and in the music of the songwriters of the day. She saved her allowance and babysitting money and bought a 1971 Guild F30 guitar. This is the guitar she still plays today.
It was in college in Fredonia, New York that Dale Robin found her musical wings. Inspired by the welcoming and vibrant folk music community there, she began collecting songs and playing at coffeehouses. In the mid-seventies through the early 80's she was instrumental in organizing the weekly Unicorn Coffeehouse music series.

As folk musicians would pass by on Interstate 90 when traveling to and from New England and the Midwest, they would stop for rest, hospitality and music in Fredonia. Dale Robin had the opportunity to learn many songs from these artists passing through her town, and thus began her journey as a "songhunter". Finding a good song is her passion and her consuming interest. If you know of any good ones, please email her!

Through the late 70's through the early 80's Dale Robin was a member of The Underdog String Band, playing old time music throughout Chautauqua County, NY. From weekly contra dances to a state-funded tour of community concerts in rebuilt and restored gazebos all over the county, the Underdogs specialized in traditional tunes and songs, early bluegrass, some blues and contemporary songs.

Twice evicted from apartments because of the late night music parties and fiddle and guitar-totin' folkies going up and down the stairs, Dale Robin left Fredonia for North Carolina to accept a position working with the children of migrant farmworker families. The music of the area was a strong pull for her, and her travels through farm country for her work brought her in contact with many traditional musicians, and so many tunes!

A move to Maine in the late 80's changed her focus to full time parenting her two boys, Seth and Aaron. The boys are fine musicians in their own right and they have even written a couple of songs with their Mom!

A long time interest in alternative radio has sparked a career change to a "day job" as the Development Director with WMPG Community Radio of Greater Portland. A concern for the vanishing venues for free speech and creative, local programming in the broadcast media is the motivation for this professional move. She also writes a column about music for the York County Coast Star.