– Sunday Magazine  Rutland Herald/Times Argus  Jun. 19, 2004

For a white, bald dude from a family of Vermont plumbers, Bob Stannard plays one mean blues harmonica. And to prove it, the 53-year-old landscaper-turned-lawmaker-turned-lobbyist will on June 27 add recording artist to his resume with the release of his first-ever CD, "Made in Vermont: Live Performances from Obscure and Popular Places."

On the CD, Stannard and his guitar-playing musical colleague Chris Kleeman cover the traditional blues ground of heartache, women, booze and every combination in between.

"It's good stuff," Stannard says during a recent afternoon visit in Manchester at the café at the Northshire Bookstore. "I'll tell you, the last couple of years, things are beginning to click."

And don't just take his word for it. Through an incredible journey of hard work, impeccable timing and just dumb luck, Stannard has impressed some of the world's foremost blues and jazz giants, among them B.B. King and Buddy Guy. He and Kleeman have twice played with King. They also have played at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, a world-famous venue to which they've been invited back this year.

But how did this eighth-generation Vermonter, whose musical ambitions ran toward the drums until he was threatened with expulsion from his Castleton State College dormitory, end up playing the blues?

In part, Stannard says, because he can. In 1969, fresh with the realization that drums are loud and not all that portable, he picked up a C harmonica and began playing. Ever since, you'd be hard-pressed to find him without at least one harmonica, whether he's clad in a suit lobbying in the State House or hanging out at a local watering hole.

"I never really expected to do much more than just play," he says. "But, you know what? The success or failure of people in the entertainment business really has a lot to do with chance. ... Everyone's success is nearly as serendipitous as mine."

• --

Stannard was born in South Dorset, and, while he's been around the world, he's never really strayed all that far from this corner of southwestern Vermont. His father married his mother, a New Yorker who, at 14, had already performed in Carnegie Hall.

"I think that's where the music comes from," Stannard says. She'll be at the CD release party next Sunday; his father died more than a quarter-century ago of congestive heart failure at 57.

Stannard attended a series of one-room schools - the first two of which were condemned - eventually graduating from Burr & Burton Academy. From there it was on to Castleton, from which he emerged in 1973 with a degree in criminal justice, which he never used.

He worked as a logger and stock boy and eventually got into the lawn and gardening business. "Not much of a job market back in the early 70s," Stannard recalls.

Of course, Manchester, with its concentration of moneyed New Yorkers and their second homes, isn't a bad place to ply the landscaping trade. And one of Stannard's early clients was Barbara Riley Levin, the then-wife of Gerald Levin, a former CEO of media giant Time Warner.

She wasn't a satisfied customer, however. "I think it was 28 years ago, there were some disputes over trim," Stannard says. "Barbara fired me."

He stayed on in the lawn and garden business but eventually entangled himself in local politics, with stints on the Manchester select board and on the regional planning commission. He was elected three times as a state representative but then lost when he switched his party allegiance and became a Democrat.

The lobbying career started around the time Act 60, the education funding bill, started brewing. He was tapped by Walter Freed, who eventually became the Republican House majority leader, to put together a meeting to discuss the changes about to be wrought by the statewide property tax.

Stannard wrote letters to all 251 Vermont cities and towns, and, to his surprise, dozens of people arrived at his meeting at the Manchester Elementary School. He's been lobbying ever since - against Act 60, which he says has surprised some of his most liberal friends. "I really felt as though it was bad tax policy and I still do today," he says. Stannard also has lobbied for such diverse issues as bringing rail service into Manchester and helping organic farmers.

"The lobbying gig absolutely tracks with the rest of my life," Stannard said. "It's so freakin' serendipitous. Life is just one big walking accident."

• --

With him on that accidental ride has been his wife of more than three decades, Alison, his daughter, Meredith, 26 and his son, Wesley, 23.

And his harmonica.

Which, accidentally or not, brought him back in touch with Barbara Levin, she of the bad trim experience. Throughout her life in Manchester, Levin has been an avid and generous supporter of the arts.

A couple of years ago, after not seeing her for at least 20 years, Stannard ran into Levin three times in one week, and, somehow, he got himself invited to a party at her house.

"I maneuvered my way on stage, and did a tune with a band," he explains. After the performance, she wondered whether Stannard had a band.

He didn't. So he called Kleeman, with whom he had played years before. "We got a band?" The two threw something together for a performance Levin was organizing.

And word spread. Since then, they've been getting nothing but breaks, appearing together throughout Vermont and the rest of New England. They've played twice with B.B. King, opened for Isaac Hayes and shared the stage with John Hammond, Chris Smither, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Susan Tedeschi and Buddy Guy. Stannard's given a solo performance with Delta Blues legend David "Honey Boy" Edwards.

"People who know me know me as a tenacious chap," Stannard says.

Darren Allen is chief of the Vermont Press Bureau.

MADE IN VERMONT:LIVE PERFORMANCES FROM OBSCURE BUT POPULAR PLACES

(Self-released CD Howling Frog Records #002)

The homes of Chester, Vermont, bluesboy Chris Kleeman and his musical compadre Bob Stannard, from Manchester Center, are separated by some of the tallest mountains in Vermont, but it doesn't seem to have gotten in their way, physically or musically. On their first joint album, Made in Vermont: Live Performances From Obscure But Popular Places, the two churn, choogle and sweat through an encyclopedia of blues styles. On this CD, 12 classics by Willie Dixon, Jimmy Reed, Robert Johnson, Chester Burnette and more are given loving treatment by two players with the knowledge and skill to make them work.

Kleeman can wail on an electric guitar, and really shines when he slides on his beat-up old National Steel. Stannard, who sounds like he came out of the womb armed with a blues harp, recalls the best of the Chicago blues harmonica players, melding passion with rhythmic riffs from the styles of Sonny Boy Williamson I and II, Sonny Terry and others. Throughout Made in Vermont, Kleeman and Stannard are backed by a number of pickup drummers and bassists. There are no lapses and the whole baby works.

The experience these guys bring to their music has been obtained from lots of road time. Kleeman and Stannard are both in their fifties, have been playing bars for decades, and are clearly not ready for AARP bus tours. From the energy and pump of the music, it sounds as if some of the "obscure places" mentioned in the title might be smoky roadhouses, so it's surprising to discover that most of the album was recorded live in such relatively sedate venues as the Riley Rink in Manchester and the Old Firehouse in Tinmouth. A few tracks were laid down at Southview Arts, a fine little studio on a hill above Middletown Springs, and at Kleeman's home studio. It's clear that Kleeman, who has played with many musical partners over the years, and Stannard have found that rare thing: a musical complement that really fits.

ROBERT RESNIK

© Seven Days Newspaper, 2004

Bob Stannard & Chris Kleeman are recognized as Juried Artists by

the Vermont Arts Council 

(photo: Alison Stannard)

Stannard and Kleeman approved for VAC’s ‘Art Directory’

Bob Stannard and Chris Kleeman

MANCHESTER - Chris Kleeman and Bob Stannard are proud to announce that their application for consideration as "Juried Artists" with the Vermont Arts Council has been accepted and approved. On Nov. 24 the Vermont Arts Council endorsed the work of the acoustic Blues Duo of Kleeman (guitar) and Stannard (harmonica) and they will now be registered in the VAC's "Art Directory." Being recognized by the Vermont Arts Council elevates the status of any Vermont artists and allows artists and musicians to broaden their marketing efforts through promotional material as well as linking to VAC's web site.

"To have our work be accepted by the Vermont Arts Council is a great honor for us and we would like to extend our appreciation to the Arts Council for this recognition. We are very pleased to have the Arts Council recognize American Blues as a venue worthy of their support. This is one of many wonderful things that have happened to Chris and me over the past two years." Stannard said. In July of 2002, thanks to the support and generosity of Barbara Riley, the Blues Duo was sent to Montreux, Switzerland where they played the Montreux Jazz Festival with BB King and legendary keyboardist, Joe Sample.

Chris Kleeman, as a solo performer, has been recognized by the Arts Council for over 15 years. This is the first time their duo act has received recognition. It is also the first time Bob Stannard's work has been chosen by VAC. Over a year ago, Stannard was recognized as a "Preferred Player" of Lee Oskar Harmonicas, Inc.

Over the past two years Kleeman & Stannard have shared the stage with many great performers like Maria Muldaur, Chris Smither, Susan Tedeschi, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, John Hammond, Buddy Guy and the undisputed "King of the Blues," BB King.

Individually, Kleeman has performed with Dave Van Ronk, Taj Mahal, Rory Block, Johnny Winter, Leon Redbone, Koko Taylor, George Thorogood, and David Bromberg. Stannard has had the pleasure of playing with author, Stephen King; Delta Bluesman, David "Honey Boy" Edwards; and Joey Molland; founder of the '70's rock band, Badfinger.

"It's been quite a ride, so far," Kleeman said. Bob Stannard is recognized as a "Preferred Player" of Lee Oskar Harmonicas.

For information contact: Bob Stannard at 802-362-3658, bob@bobstannard.com, www.bobstannard.com; or Chris Kleeman at Kleeman@vermontel.net, www.chriskleeman.com .

By Linda Maness
Journal Correspondent

Article date: 08/02/2002 Manchester Journal, Manchester, Vermont

A musical feast for the ears from the 2002 B.B. King Blues Festival

article date: 09/06/2002

By Linda Maness - Journal Correspondent

MANCHESTER - The traditional "end of summer" saw a feast of musical talent play the blues on Labor Day at Riley Rink as the B.B. King Blues Festival concluded the 2002 Riley Summer Music Series.

On Sunday, Sept. 2 the "afternoon-into-the-evening" line-up of blues singers/guitarists included Shane Henry, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Susan Tedeschi and the indomitable B.B. King. A two-thirds capacity audience, some 2000 blues fans, sat inside and out on the lawn, contributing to a five-concert fund-raising effort which according to Bill Daiek, General Manager of Riley Rink, generated $300,000 for the Jonathan Levin Scholarship Fund, Riley Rink at Hunter Park, and additional beneficiaries including the Smokey House Center, Northshire Museum and History Center, and East Dorset Fire Department.

Gates opened at 2 p.m. and the lawn quickly filled will blues aficionados who brought blankets and snacks, planning for a long day's journey into night of top quality music.

Seats in Riley Rink filled little by little, with some concert-goers sitting straight through and others arriving only in time for their favorite band of the line-up. The show got underway at 4 p.m., kicking off with Vermont's own Chris Kleeman Band. Kleeman said afterwards that he was happy to play at the Blues Fest at Riley Rink and added that, "Things just keep happening for the Chris Kleeman Band. Claude Nobs likes what we do and that's great for us", said Bob Stannard. 

Bob Stannard jamming with Chris Kleeman at the B.B. King Blues Festival. Lee Krohn Photo

Nobs, who is the founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival held annually in the summer in Switzerland, invited Kleeman to play at the Montreux Jazz Festival this past July.

Monday's Blues Fest continued with touring guest artist, nineteen-year old Shane Henry.

The youngster of the line-up was followed by the popular Fabulous Thunderbirds, led by founding member Kim Wilson. Wilson mingled with concert-goers after his band's set, signing autographs and chatting with fans.   Blues Fest guest artist, Susan Tedeschi, took the stage around 7 p.m. and quickly treated the evening's growing audience to her trademark, "It hurts, it hurts, it hurts so bad!" for which she received a standing ovation.   Prior to the evening's featured act, B.B. King, Riley Rink's Daiek thanked all the Riley Rink staff and all the concert volunteers who had made the 2002 Riley Summer Music Series a success. He then thanked all the concert-goers who had made the summer music series a financial success.   He then acknowledged audience member, and founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival, Claude Nobs.

Finally, Daiek gave his personal thanks to, "...my friend, and partner in B & B Productions for many years to come, Barbara Riley Levin."   Levin came to the stage to accept a bouquet of flowers and nodded in acceptance of the appreciative audience applause.

Without further ado, Daiek turned over the stage to the BB King and his blues band.

With the warmth of the summer's afternoon already cooled off, B.B. King's blues from the stage heated things up very quickly.   King teased the audience, telling his band, "I can't see the people so well, but I can hear them."   With "Lucille" in hand, King delighted the audience with his signature soulful guitar playing, as everyone's attention hung on every rift and every uttered syllable.   Playing a "little Manchester blues", B.B. King sent a message to concert-goers, "I'm from the old-school and every once in a while I have to shake something," which received a roar of approval from the crowd. He responded, "At my age, it's good to exercise."   As the concert came to a close and blues fans made there way out, a common thought could be heard out loud, "Wonder who the 2003 Riley Summer Music Series will bring to our Manchester backyard!"

-------------------------------------------------------------

The following piece was submitted to Rolling Stone Magazine for its writer's contest. 

2/16/07, 5:55 pm EST

Week Five Finalist: Matthew Tuthill on Harmonica Player Bob Stannard

Think you can do better? Prove it, by entering our contest. Win prizes and get your work published. We’ll announce the next assignment on Monday, February 19th at 12:00 p.m. EST.

Note: This is not an official Rolling Stone article. What follows is a submission to the “I’m From Rolling Stone” writing competition.

by Matthew Tuthill
Age: 25

With all due respect to the late Lou Gehrig, Bob Stannard might just be the luckiest man on the face of the earth.

The 55-year-old blues vocalist has performed with one of the most absurd A-lists a self-taught harmonica player could ever dream of: Buddy Guy, Isaac Hayes, Jerry Portnoy, David “Honey Boy” Edwards, B.B. King – heck, Stannard even played a set with Stephen King.

But while Stannard earned the respect of the aforementioned legends without taking a single lesson, his road to local celebrity began quite formally, with his mother practically forcing him to learn the piano.

“She thought it would be a great idea to have her little pansy boy
play the piano,” Stannard said. “I literally grew to hate it.”

Stannard then picked up the harmonica and performed for 35 years before taking another lesson – this time from Portnoy, whose work appeared on Eric Clapton’s “From the Cradle.”

“I realized I barely comprehended the instrument,” Stannard said of their first meeting. “It was a real ego-crushing moment for me.”

Such moments don’t happen often.

Stannard may be talented, but he knows his impressive resume is just as much a product of his world-class schmoozing ability.

“I’m not lacking in self confidence,” said Stannard, whose full-time job is promoting business in downtown Bennington, Vermont. “I’m lacking everywhere else, however. Now think about that for a minute. That’s a dangerous combination.”

Nowhere is that dangerous combination more apparent than in Stannard’s choice of style, which could be confused as Michael Irvin impersonation. The outrageous getup changes from day to day, but Stannard never leaves home without one accessory - a fluorescent white smile seen when he’s laughing his head off, which is most of the time.

“I really am the luckiest man alive,” he said.

-- Rolling Stone