By Nicholas Jason Lopez
Ever since he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2005, Canadian musician Robbie Tucker has fully turned his attention to the tunes to keep him going, influenced by greats like Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley and Paul McCartney.
A keen music lover his whole life, nostalgia is the key to what makes Tucker, 44, tick, as he strolled into 2021 on the strength of his adventurous, “first and only” eight-track Christmas-themed album ‘Peppermints’ and has more music in the works.
The Music Bugle had the chance to talk with Tucker about what he’s been up to lately and more.
Music Bugle – What makes you the most proud about where you come from?
Robbie Tucker – The people are incredibly kind. I’m not sure you’d find a friendlier bunch of strangers anywhere.
Music Bugle – What inspired you to become a musician?
Robbie Tucker – My mother had actually bought my father an acoustic guitar for his birthday one year. I thought that was pretty cool, so they eventually got me one too. That was the original inspiration, as it was something that my dad and I could do together to put a smile on my mom’s face.
Music Bugle – What was it like making your Christmas album ‘Peppermints’?
Robbie Tucker – I always have a great time when I’m in the studio. I’m fascinated by the act of creating something totally original out of thin air. I didn’t have much time to put ‘Peppermints’ together since I started at the beginning of October and released the album on November 24th, 2020. I wrote six-and-a-half new songs and fixed/finished up one-and-a-half that I already had. I think I ended up with a cool mix of eight unique tracks. It’s definitely an evolution in my sound.
Music Bugle – Does social media help or hurt music?
Robbie Tucker – It definitely hurts it, without question. People do not have the respect for music that they once did. That may be a generalization, but the fact that you can get anything you want from the internet with a few clicks of your thumbs makes everything feel less special.
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
Robbie Tucker – I’ve been listening to Paul McCartney‘s new album, ‘McCartney 3.’ He is, without question, my biggest influence. Growing up, I was totally in love with Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and McCartney.
Music Bugle – How have you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Robbie Tucker – I’ve actually been pretty lucky, in that respect. I’ve been living with Parkinson’s disease since I was 28, so my financial stability relies on a disability pension, which hasn’t been affected by the pandemic. Having said that, nothing much in my life has changed as a direct result of COVID-19.
Music Bugle – Where do you go when you feel the need to escape?
Robbie Tucker – I like to go for a walk, or a bike ride, maybe a little drive in the car with some music. Podcasts, books and writing.
Music Bugle – What’s a quote that motivates you to keep doing what you do?
Robbie Tucker – I wouldn’t say that there’s a quote that motivates me. Whenever I see somebody who’s doing something that they absolutely love because of the simple fact that they absolutely love what they’re doing, there is no bigger motivator to me than that.
Music Bugle – What do you hope for in 2021?
Robbie Tucker – I have a lotta songs that I’ve written over the years, 50-plus, maybe even more than that. I hope to get a good chunk of them recorded in the studio.
Music Bugle – Away from music, what’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
Robbie Tucker – I don’t really think there’s any surprises at this point. I love to eat all different kinds of food. I’m a big foodie.
