This Crowe is flying solo By WENDY KALE Colorado Daily Music Writer http://www.coloradodaily.com/articles/2003/07/10/news/audience/audience01.txt Chris Robinson is a changed man. The rocker has come a long way from swaggering on stage with the Black Crowes and recording CDs with titles like "Shake Your Money Maker" and "Amorica." Robinson was once known for infamous fights with his brother (and bandmate) Rich and his rowdy stage antics, but these days the musician has changed his tune. He's now flying solo from the Crowes, living a settled family life with Goldie Hawn's daughter, wife/actress Kate Hudson, and writing songs that capture a new side of his life. His latest CD "New Earth Mud" is a heartfelt collection of acoustic songs, and audiences have been pleasantly surprised by it. Last year Robinson played to a packed house at the Boulder Theater. Concertgoers could feel a certain tension in the air before the musician took the stage - and they expected to see a brash rocker. Instead, the crowd got a refreshing evening of solid folk and countrified tunes, poetic lyrics, right-on-the-money guitar work, and a hysterically funny Robinson, who captured the audience with his wit as well as his songwriting abilities. "I was in New York City two weeks ago, and I was just walking down the street when this girl comes up to me and says she was at the Boulder Theater show. I mean, that's a very specific thing and Boulder is a long way from New York. I just think that Boulder is one of those small towns where everyone comes to play and everyone 'gets' the music," said Robinson. The Black Crowes came out of Atlanta's Southern roots and rock scene. Influenced by the Stones and the Allmans, the band created its own niche for listeners that wanted a little soul mixed with glam rock. The band burst onto the music scene in 1984 with its album "Shake Your Money Maker," and the Crowes' cover of "Hard to Handle" made them instant MTV and radio hit-makers. The original band featured Robinson as frontman, his brother Rich on guitar, Johnny Colt on bass, Jeff Cease on guitar, and Steve Gorman on drums. Songs like "Remedy" and "She Talks to Angels" were penned by the Robinson brothers and quickly rose to the top of the charts. However, the rock 'n' roll lifestyle took its toll; some band members quit and Chris and Rich became as famous for onstage fights as Oasis' Gallagher brothers. That didn't stop the Crowes from recording and touring until 2002 - when Robinson announced his solo career. "To be honest, there were just a lot more interesting things happening in my life and a lot more opportunities for me as a solo artist. You know when it's your brother; you really can't quit a situation. Rich and I still talk and there's no ill feelings, but I just have a hard time revisiting things from the past," said Robinson. Although Rich's website says the Black Crowes are on "hiatus," Chris admitted that he's finished with the band. The site also stated that Rich Robinson has a new group being called Hookah Brown featuring musicians John Hogg, Fionn O'Lochlainn, and Bill Dobrow. Robinson's first move was to dub both his CD and new band "New Earth Mud." Touring minus the Crowes and a major record label has allowed Robinson the freedom to explore new musical terrain and to take charge of running his future. "The one thing I love about the music industry now, is that it's in total chaos," laughed Robinson. "For a long time listeners were consumer-driven and there was no validation for being creative or creating emotion in music. I will admit that during the '90s that the Black Crowes were the precipice for kicking the casket over, but it's still important to keep music independent." Robinson says he has no regrets over his Black Crowes era and the times when the band would think nothing of leasing a jet to fly around the world. However, he says that these days just being out on the road solo is an adventure all its own. "The Black Crowes were definitely afforded the opportunity to self-destruct for over a decade, but that was a different time in my life. Now, I want to write songs that I'll be comfortable performing when I'm 56. I want to write songs where the lyrics are as important as the music," explained Robinson. Robinson plans to turn those songs into rockers when New Earth Mud opens for Elvis Costello next week in Denver. Robinson is also working with his band on a record that's slated to come out in 2004. The musician says that the band is blending everything from roots rock to reggae into its new sound and that audiences will be able to see the group on tour next year. The former Black Crowesman was also asked to perform solo at the Folks Festival in Lyons this summer. Robinson said that he's excited about playing in the state where his wife's family lives. The musician is also rallying his flock of fans to protest Congress regarding the recently passed Rave and Clean-Up Acts. According to Robinson, the laws could potentially ban live music and dancing in clubs where "drug abuse" has taken place. "People are being too easy about letting the government sink their claws into their private lives. Instead, they should let us take responsibility for ourselves when we go into nightclubs and social events. Most people are so complacent that they don't see that their freedoms are being taken away," said Robinson. The Black Crowes may be gone, but Robinson still plans to put his own kick into contemporary roots rock.