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
BGS 3X3: ROBERT REX WALLER, JR. ON NIGHT RANGER, FREE WILL, AND THE LONG-LASTING EFFECTS OF BLUEGRASS MARATHONS
Read the full article here June 21st, 2016 / BY BGS STAFF Artist: Robert Rex Waller, Jr. Hometown: Rochester, MN Latest Album: Fancy Free Personal Nicknames: Rob. Rex. Bobby. Waldebeast. Professor. Dad. What was the first record you ever bought with your own money?...
The Daily Country Review Fancy Free
A bold undertaking, Fancy Free finds Waller’s rich, emotive baritone breathing life into a variety of songs from some quite unexpected artists.
Alternate Root Names “Me and Paul” Top Ten of Week
Read article here 08 Me and Paul - Robert Rex Waller, Jr (from the album Fancy Free) - Lead vocalist for I See Hawks in L.A., Rob Waller, stretches out his into his full name, Robert Rex Waller, Jr., for a solo album of covers on his upcoming (July 1, 2016)...
Elmore Magazine Reviews ‘Fancy Free’
Read full article here Album Reviews | June 10th, 2016 Artist: Robert Rex Waller, Jr. Album: Fancy Free Label: Western Seeds Release Date: 07/1/2016 83 BUY DIGITAL BUY PHYSICAL The distinctive deep voice of Robert Rex Waller Jr. is almost always...
Pasadena Weekly Previews RRWJr Trio at Cellar Sessions
Read the full article here I See Hawks in LA frontman Robert Rex Waller Jr. performs songs from new solo album for Cellar Sessions series Sunday afternoon By Bliss Bowen 06/09/2016 Numerous solo artists keep themselves creatively challenged by moonlighting in side...