Steve Forbert, a musician remembered for hit 1980 song, “Romeo’s Tune,” is celebrating the 35th anniversary of his first album “Alive on Arrival,” will be performing at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro tonight.
Forbert spoke to staff writer Edmond Harrison about his career as a musician and his love for performing.
The Daily Tar Heel: What do you want audiences to take away from your performances in general?
Steve Forbert: Well, basically I want them to be entertained, I try having a lot of fun with these shows. Whatever songs are played on an individual night might be a better indication of what an audience takes away on a more serious level. Basically, I just want them to have a good time and be entertained. People that come to these shows want to have a good time, so it’s not like I have an impossible task.
DTH: What do you plan on playing tonight? Do you plan on playing anything special for this crowd?
SF: I’m going to play through my first album, “Alive on Arrival,” in my first or second set. And for the rest, a lot of times it just depends on requests from the audience. I kind of have to play (my cover of the Jimmie Rodgers song) “My Carolina Sunshine Girl” — that would be wise. I usually try to think of things I should do in addition to all the hits.
DTH: What continues to influence your current songwriting, and how has your songwriting technique changed over the past 35 years?
SF: Well, I just keep at it. I don’t know if the goal is necessarily to take it different places, it’s just where my life has gone and where inspiration comes from. Because it’s singer-songwriter material, a lot of it’s more personal. I try to make it presentable to the general public.
DTH: What have been and continue to be the best aspects of your career as a musician?
