BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
AARobert Rex Waller Jr. is a singer, songwriter, performer and professor living in Los Angeles, CA. Over the last 20+ years Waller has been the lead singer and one of the principal songwriters with the critically acclaimed country rock band, I See Hawks in L.A.
The Hawks have released ten studio albums and toured the US and Europe multiple times. Their songs have charted in independent Americana radio in US and Europe and have been placed in TV and films including Cobra Kai, Roswell, and True Blood.
Dave Alvin has called the Hawks “one of California’s unique treasures” and MOJO magazine named them “the finest country rock band on the planet.”
Waller has written, recorded, or performed with artists including but not limited to Phoebe Bridgers, Lucinda Williams, Carla Olson, Eddie Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Cheech Marin, Jackson Browne, Justin Townes Earle, Tom Petty, Tony Joe White, Chris Hillman, Aram Saroyan, Matmos, Herb Peterson, John York, David Jackson, Gabe Witcher, Rick Shea, Dave Alvin, James Intveld, Gregg Sutton, Tony Gilkyson, Raul Pacheco, Peter Case, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Bernie Leadon, and The Meat Puppets.
Waller and the Hawks have performed at some of the most legendary venues and festivals in Americana music including: McCabe’s Guitar Shop, Old Town School of Folk Music Chicago, Slim’s (SF), and Joe’s Pub (NYC). His festival appearances include: Kerrville Folk Fest, Stagecoach, Strawberry Festival (CA), Down On The Farm (Halden, Norway), Maverick Fest (UK), Belladrum Tartan Heart (UK), Hempfest (Seattle), French Broad River Fest (NC), Albino Skunk Fest (SC), and showcases at Folk Alliance.
In addition to his performing career, Waller is also a professor at the University of Southern California. Alumni from his legendary Writing for Visual and Performing Artists course are professionally active in all genres of the arts from TV and film to Broadway to popular and classical music to visual arts, architecture and video games.
Waller released Fancy Free, his first solo album of cover songs, in 2016. Waller’s second solo album, See The Big Man Cry, was produced by Carla Olson and is set to be released on BFD records on October 20th, 2023.
Waller lives in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles with his wise and understanding wife, three well-behaved children, and two adoring cats.
“Any fear of how some songs would fit are soon dispelled as Waller, JR ups his game to deliver an album I will be playing for a long, long time. He doesn’t just cover the songs but in a number of cases it will be his I reach for first in days to come as the definitive version.” –Maurice Hope, Americana UK
News and Reviews
Four Star Review for STBMC from Dutch Music Mag Written in Music
Written by: Cis van Looy In addition to a premier role with the Americana collective I See Hawks in L.A., Robert Rex Waller Jr. has been working with Carla Olson on and off stage for some time now. For ISHILA, the duet Bossier City preceded others and Waller appeared...
Americana Highways Reviews STBMC
Robert Rex Waller Jr. – See The Big Man Cry This collection has some interesting covers & would make the focus more on Robert Rex Waller Jr’s interpretive skills. Sometimes not singing your own compositions can be more of a challenge since you’re taking another’s...
Rootstime.be Reviews STBMC
With the best will in the world, I have no idea whether and to what extent Robert Rex Waller is known to the general public, although I can proudly report that he has occupied a fairly prominent place in the undersigned's household for many years. . That's because we...
Rocking Magpie Reviews STBMC: A Treasure Trove of Songs Reimagined in the Americana and Country Traditions
Robert Rex Waller Jr.See The Big Man CryBFD/Have Harmony Will Travel. A Treasure Trove of Songs Reimagined in the Americana and Country Traditions This is I See Hawks in LA frontman Robert Rex Waller’s second solo album, and in connection with Carla Olson who also...
Music Worth Buying/Rock N Roll Truth Reviews STBMC
link to full article by Robert Kinsler Artist: Robert Rex Waller Jr. Titles: See The Big Man Cry (Have Harmony, Will Travel Productions)You might like if you enjoy: I See Hawks In L.A., Carla OlsonTell me more: Robert Rex Waller Jr. (the...