Published in The Islander Magazine May 2013
“I think a good song is like a good recipe and must be carefully crafted with love.”
- Rhonda Roberts
Hollywood legend, Steve Martin has certainly influenced many comedians in his 40 plus years in show business but perhaps not as many ukulele players. It was a scene from the 1979 hit comedy, The Jerk, starring Martin and Bernadette Peters that would forever change the life of singer, songwriter and ukulele player, Rhonda Roberts.
In the film, Martin and Peters stroll along a moonlit beach singing the classic American duet, “Tonight You Belong To Me”. Martin gently strums the ukulele while the two characters fall in love (although Martin didn’t play the ukulele on the recording he has since won 2 Grammy awards for his work as a banjo player).
The enchanted scenario certainly had an affect on Roberts’ desire for a ukulele but it may have also reinforced an interest in a nostalgic style of songwriting.
Roberts’ stage persona is reminiscent of a vaudevillian and while many of her songs have a timeless quality, as though they could have been written in the 1920’s or 30’s, upon closer look at the lyrical content it’s evident that she is striving for something much more sophisticated than a tribute to another time and place.
“In terms of vaudeville… I don’t want to emulate any of those people (vaudeville performers). I find it just comes out naturally.”
As natural as it may be, there’s evidence of a seasoned performer behind the unassuming charm. Roberts is something of a Mae West, Marylyn Monroe, Joni Mitchell hybrid. Brains, beauty and brass all rolled into one subtly dynamic performer. Flirtation with an audience, either cerebral or sexual, through recorded material or live, is something Roberts is especially good at.
“It’s not about arousing someone’s sexuality but about arousing the spirit. I think I like to catch people off guard. I like to disarm people. We carry around defenses all the time and I’m going to let you drop those defenses for a moment so that you can be with me in that moment. Rather than flirtatious, I think I’m disarming.”
Flirtatious or disarming, sassy or sweet, Roberts’ intellect and appreciation for the vast range of human emotions and moods, is revealed through layered lyrics full of double meanings, comedic puns, sly remarks and melancholy metaphors that meander up and down life’s peaks and valleys. Tantalizing encounters, real or imagined, moments of self-discovery and, of course love, are all ingredients in Roberts’ songs.
“I think a good song is like a good recipe and must be carefully crafted with love. I love playing with words but I think the basis for my songs has always been melody.”
Roberts began creating melodies on the piano at 5 years of age. It would be 10 more years before she picked up the instrument she now builds her musical life around; the ukulele.
Born in Houston, the youngest of 5 children, it was Roberts’ aunt, Cheryl “Cher” Comeaux who provided Rhonda with much of her early musical inspiration. In the late 1960’s Comeaux was a singer in a teen folk-pop group known as “The Proper Circle”. The band was based in Galveston and released a number of singles including “One Day Love” in 1968.
“My Aunt Cheryl is probably one of my biggest supporters and fans. Ever since I was a little girl she’s thought of me as a star. She never forgets me on birthdays or Christmas and usually sends me something with an actual star on it,” Roberts says, smiling with obvious affection and appreciation for her aunt, who now lives in San Francisco.
While Rhonda Roberts can deliver a sultry love song or a wistful ballad in an elegant evening gown she can also hop on any stage and bang out a delightfully peppy number all with her engaging smile and delightful demeanor.
“I’ll bring my ukulele with me everywhere. I play what I would call flash mob style! Guerrilla warfare style! I will play on the streets for people!” laughs Roberts.
Roberts is currently recording and performing around Houston (Sat. May 4th, Coffee Oasis, Seabrook, TX) and Galveston (The Old Quarter open mic Wednesdays) and recently traveled to New Orleans to perform. In 2011 she lived and worked in Brisbane, Australia in the all-girl group, “The Ukuladies”.
For Rhonda Roberts music, concert dates and more visit www.ReverbNation.com/RhondaRoberts
Photography: Zach Tate
Make-up: Lisha Coleman
Special thanks to Michael Selman (www.ImShakin.com) and The Proper Circle
Rhonda Roberts' aunt Cheryl "Cher" Comeaux sang in the Galveston based group "The Proper Circle". They released "One Day Love" in 1968.