That's an intersting question, with no real good answer. Bob is willing to go a ways toward being famous, but not enough to keep has last record company happy. He is one of the harder working live performers, hitting regular sites like Los Angeles at least twice a year. But sometimes his shows suffer because of all the touring. Some people love the Lonelyland Bob, but really can't deal with the Scabs, and he mixes that music up in his shows. College students love him because his shows are so crazy and obscene, but for whatever reason MTV doesn't see him as being important enough. He records and sells the recordings of almost all of his live shows which help in the "word of mouth" area. I thought it was a good sign that Shelby Lynne stepped aside and made him the headliner part way through their tour together. I hate to say this, but I think the only way for him to make it big is to drop the Scabs style music from his regular shows. I'd wouldn't enjoy it, but he would probably start getting more airplay and a broader audience. Just my opinion.
 

Quite simply, Bob's very talent and range are what keep him from fame. Let's break that down.

In the arts, fame has too long and too often had little to do with talent, otherwise Danielle Steele wouldn't be one of the best selling authors ever, nobody would buy a Thomas Kinkaid (Painter of Shite) canvas, and Brittany Spears would never have emerged from her Louisianna swamp. I know that both Sheryl and your "friend" in Phoenix agree Bob should be famous (duh!), but why isn't Randy Crowell's new Outsider top of the charts, why doesn't moe. receive the attention it deserves as a great live band, and why does Kelly Clarkson outsell Eliza Gilkyson thousands to one? Talent, who needs it? It doesn't sell; it doesn't make money; and it causes its channelers too many sleepless nights.

Now, range. This is where Bob really suffers, because he has too much of it; the media can't pigeonhole him, and therefore don't know what to do with him. MTV (or MTV 2, or wherever they actually play the occasional rock video), for example, promotes "artists" who turn out the same song with a new title time after time after time after time. That way, they know when to put who where in order to satisfy their advertisers -- it's about the $, nothing more, nothing less, and you really can't blame them for doing their jobs and satisfying their shareholders. And while we are at it, the same goes for that quaint piece of history we call FM radio, and its satellite and Internet-based progeny.

If Bob wants fame and riches (and I ain't sure he does) he simply has to tread the same tedious path as the rest of us stiffs and work his ass off. It's what you and I do everyday, and it's what bands like the aforementioned moe., Widespread Panic, Los Lobos, and others do. Hey, they might not get money for nothing and chicks for free, but they all make a decent living, and along with Bob (and your website) they all make my life a tad brighter.

Thanks for the forum,

I. J.
 

I've had this discussion so many times.
Not being able to be pigeonholed is possibly one of the biggest reasons. Bob's abilities are all over the map. He doesn't necessarily pull off one style more convincingly than any other. He's as powerful steering a full band through a set of Scabs songs with a full horn section and raunchy lyrics, as he is fronting a gorgeous string arrangement with tender lyrics and beautiful vocals. He can throw out a pure pop classic like "the way life is supposed to be," and then turn around on the SAME ALBUM and blow you away with a song that defies categorization like "piggyback." He's simply amazing. Genius even. Very few artists that defy categorization make it big. There's exceptions, but they are few.
I have to agree with the first comment here, though. As much as I laugh out loud at his audacity and his willingness to say almost anything to get a reaction ... that part of his personality is holding him back. It's not that it's not entertaining, or enthralling ... it's just that it is not going to ever be mainstream. The college clubs and venues eat it up, because it is more than acceptable there. The mainstream will never embrace that part of him.
And yes, it's true ... I don't believe he is necessarily interested in being embraced by the mainstream.
I believe Bob is Bob. If he wants something, he'll go after it. If he sees no value in it, then he'll pay it no mind.
Bob is just this side of being a national treasure. Even untalented people like Sheryl Crow can see it.
 

Maybe the question should be slightly different, "Is Bob Schneider famous?" In my mind, he is. I think the previous posts have some good points. I'm not sure I have a lot to add, but I won't let that stop me...

First of all I don't know Bob, so my comments are based on listening to some albums, seeing him perform a half dozen times, and what I've read on the internet. I am a big fan of his music and his entertainment skills.

When it comes down to it, Bob seems to do whatever he feels like. I admire that about him - he comes across as a guy just doing his thing. At least a few of his lyrics summarize my observations. Even if he didn't intend these lyrics to refer to himself, they seem to be appropriate.

First, we won't figure him out - from "C'mon Baby" :

"and i know you'll never understand
you think you know me well you think you know me well think again
i'm on fire and i'm insane and i'm all right
just don't stand so close cause you'll be blinded by the light"

Second, just have fun - from "Captain Kirk":

"I just want to feel good
I don't want to hurt nobody
I just want to get a good time out of my life"

My opinion is that Bob is a musical 'wizard' (didn't want to overuse genius, though I think he is). In some ways, he comes across as having the fame thing figured out. When you really think about it, who would want to be famous and have the media following them all the time? Of course, any of us would take the money, but the hassle is not so inviting. Bob may have the money without the hassle - good for him. From Bob, we can at least learn that we should just try to "get a good time" out of life. It would be interesting to get his true take on this topic.

By the way - have you checked out his art and poetry - it is some random, interesting stuff - like his music.

Also, keep up the good work on this web site.
 

Cause he is a total ass and deserves all the bad karma from fucking people over
 

I've wondered about that, anonymous. I've only met him in passing, and when I interviewed him it was via email only. So I can't possibly claim to know the man. But I have heard others' tales, and I have seen flashes of his personality at public appearances. I'd be curious to learn more about the experiences behind your statement, either here or via email.