Intro The Rowdy Prairie Dogs, is the Bluesy, Americana/Country Rock band of award winning singer/songwriter Robert J. In the last year, Robert and the band have had quite a ride. Starting with Robert's heart attack last November! Releasing 2 CDs on the same day. Winning 6 MAMA Awards including Best Country CD, Best Rock CD and Vocalist of the Year. In June, "The Revenge of the Rowdy Prairie Dogs" Cd was released to radio and climbed the charts to #19 on the European-Americana chart and to #14 on the Roots Rock Chart! They've played shows with The BoDeans, The New Riders of the Purple Sage and showcased at the Steelbridge Song Festival and Summerfest. The Rowdy Prairie Dogs were conceived in the dusty dreams of Jefferson Otis Keys, a chef and song slinger from Ketchum, Idaho. One day, a beggar and a thief and a minstrel of a man going by the name of RJ, came to town where he ate and drank his fill at the Vintage Restaurant. There, he overheard the story about the most glorious, down to earth band that never was, The Rowdy Prairie Dogs. In the dark of night, RJ stole the name away from Jefferson Otis and rode out of Dodge (or Ketchum as the case might be) headed down valley, across the prairies, beyond the mighty Mississippi to the land they call, Wisconsin. And the rest, as they say is history.........in the making! Stay tuned for more adventures of the Rowdy Prairie Dogs! Coming Soon!

The Rowdy Prairie Dogs are...... Robert J. - Singer/songwriter/guitar/harmonica Tom Dehlinger - Pedal Steel, Lap steel, Dobro, Mando, guitar Michael Tully - Guitars, vocals Joe McCloskey - Bass, vocals Mauro Magellan - Drums

Robert J. Bio Robert J. Conaway grew up literally "riding the rails," following the career of his father, an executive with the Canadian National Railroad. He didn't live in all the cities but experienced life in a few.....like Duluth, Minneapolis, Seattle, Chicago, Buffalo, Vancouver, Toronto, and Detroit. During college, he worked as a "gandy dancer" on the railroad while finishing up his education at night school, and on the weekends he played in bands. When Robert graduated, he quit his railroad job, jumped in the "band van" and migrated to Colorado with a band called Happy Trails, living the spirit of a wanderer. Like the mighty Mississippi River, Robert J.'s music flows from the many different genres that pepper the river's banks. From the spiritual origins of blues music, to its successor rock and roll, Robert J.'s music encompasses elements of blues, rock, R&B/soul, and heartfelt, floor-stomping country. Such a mix of genres gives his music its own unique flavor and has allowed him to share the stage with artists of all genres. Since those early days, Robert J. has played thousands of shows with countless bands. He has written hundreds of songs. He's lived at least several lives, and throughout it all, Robert J. has always tried to make sense of life through song. His lyrics are direct, edgy reenactments of life itself, mirroring the will of a survivor. 2007 was a milestone year for Robert J. He recorded two new CDs, "A Beautiful Blur" and "The Revenge of the Rowdy Prairie Dogs," while continuing to develop acts for indie label PopBomb Records. He also played shows, solo, with label-mate Lucas Cates and with his roots rocking Americana band, The Moon Gypsies. In his spare time Robert J. placed some songs in a movie, wrote some more songs, helped to raise his young family, and.....had a heart attack while raking leaves in his backyard! When Robert J. heard the ER doctor say the six words that threatened to shake his foundation: "You are having a heart attack," all he could think about was his wife, his kids and the songs that he hadn't finished writing, displaying the soul of a songwriter. Since that November day in 2007, Robert J. has gone through cardiac rehab, lost 24 pounds, written over 20 newly inspired songs, formed his new band, "The Rowdy Prairie Dogs," and has a new found respect for such basic principles as faith, commitment, family, health, humility, fear, hope, and compassion. Through that life-altering event, Robert J.'s transformation has begun. In 2008 we are witness to a life transformation of a musician's heart and soul, a rededication of an already dedicated man. The soul of a songwriter, the heart of a musician, the spirit of a wanderer, the will of a survivor--all embodied in one man. Robert J's music tells the story, the story of triumph over adversity and the will of the human spirit. That spirit shines through his music and leaves a legacy of the man, the spirit, the wanderer, and the survivor. Influences Mostly, I've been influenced by the musicians I have played with over the years. After that, pretty much the basics...Elvis, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan The Beatles, CSN&Y,Little Feat, Springsteen and most everything in between and beyond.