Darren Kolbe - All Roads Lead

Darren Kolbe was born in Houston, Texas in 1961 and lived virtually all of his childhood in La Grange, Texas. He started playing music when he was 8 years old, and immediately fell in love with country and bluegrass music at an early age, playing guitar and banjo. He didn't really pursue a music career until well after graduating from Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) in 1983 and moving to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. It wasn't until the late 80's that Darren noticed a distinctive resonance in his voice that wasn't there before. He garnered enough courage to enter a few talent contests and was quickly discovered by local bands. After a few years of singing live venues, he formed his own cover band "Darren Kolbe and Texas Tradition" and was a mainstay in the Ft. Worth stockyards until the late 90's.

Though being introduced to music at an early age, it was not until the 90's that Darren really "discovered" music. It was then that he started listening to music from the songwriter's perspective, instead of the singer's perspective. He quickly started identifying with his favorite old songs in a new way. From a personal perspective, maybe the loss of his father in 1992, who was his biggest music supporter, helped spur this revelation. Lloyd Kolbe, a well-known south Texas wildlife consultant and personality, disappeared in Baja California, Mexico that year while on a helicopter survey and was never found. "He called me in Dallas on his way out of town for that trip", Kolbe says, "and we talked about life and he gave me advice. It was almost like he knew we would never speak again. I've always considered that conversation an omen, and it changed me".

He even fell in love with the Texas movement happening at that time through songwriting legends Robert Earl Keen, Guy Clark and others. "If I had to pinpoint one artist that really turned me on to songwriting, it would have to be Robert Earl", Darren says. "I was blown away by his ability to potray his life experiences and to potray Texas, as I saw it, through song". Darren immediately developed a passion for songwriting, and spent the late 90's focusing on writing and less on performing. "I decided that I had to figure out a way to be original or I would lose interest in music quickly", he says. "The most difficult part was developing a music style that fit me", Kolbe

Recorded at Awesome Works Recording and produced by Steve Palousek. J. P. Morrison is credited with all drums and percussion on this album