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Looking Back on Robert Randolph & The Family Band's 2004 Grammy Performance October 28, 2015 11:54

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The following article was released via BusinessWire.com on February 20th, 2004, following Robert Randolph & The Family Band's performance at The Grammys.  Robert Randolph & The Family Band headline Funksgiving in Montgomery, AL on Friday, November 27th, with support from McLovins & BYOG.  Click here to purchase tickets today!
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Robert Randolph & the Family Band, hot on the heels of having their recent album "Unclassified" chosen as one of Rolling Stone's best albums of 2003, recently performed at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles and the results were both immediate and impressive. In the week that followed the performance, "Unclassified" enjoyed an extraordinary sales jump of nearly 400%, more than any album by an artist appearing on the awards show. USA Today wrote, "Randolph's steel-guitar sizzle in the show's all-star funk tribute translated into the tallest spike, 384%, more than quadrupling sales of his `Unclassified' to 9,000." Similarly, the group's previous album, "Live At The Wetlands," also racked up a sales increase of over 400%.
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The nation's press was equally enthusiastic. The Chicago Tribune raved, "Earth, Wind & Fire, Parliament Funkadelic, Robert Randolph & the Family Band and Outkast offered a funk primer, with Randolph stealing the show by proving that the pedal steel-guitar -- that staple of country-and-western weepers -- can get down like nobody's business."
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Randolph and his band were spotlighted on the CBS-TV telecast during a special tribute to funk music. Introduced by actor Samuel L. Jackson as being the "new blood" of funk, the band performed their latest single, "I Need More Love," immediately following Outkast on the program. USA Today wrote the funk performances were "highlighted by Robert Randolph's steel-guitar pyrotechnics." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution added, "Robert Randolph & the Family Band were hot enough to scorch the first few rows" at the awards show at L.A.'s Staples Center.
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It was an incredible start for 2004 for Robert Randolph & the Family Band. Nominated for two Grammy Awards, they are continuing their U.S. concert schedule during February and March before traveling to England and Europe, where the band will join Eric Clapton on tour as opening act. Last year, the group won the W.C. Handy Award for Best Debut Recording in Memphis, and were honored with the Best New Band Jammy Award at ceremonies in New York. Their new single, "Going In the Right Direction," is being released to radio this week. 
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Watch Robert Randolph & The Family Band perform "I Need More Love" at the 2004 Grammy Awards.
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Robert Randolph & The Family Band headline Funksgiving in Montgomery, AL on Friday, November 27th, with support from McLovins & BYOG.  Click here to purchase tickets today!
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