Bobby Frith

Whether as a solo performer, band leader, band member, session musician, collaborator, or just a fan of music, Bobby Frith prizes a great song above all things. His appreciation for songs and the art of creating them has driven him to an intense study of a collection of musicians primarily known for their innovations on their instrument — most especially Charlie Parker, Tony Rice, and Earl Scruggs This path of study reinforces his fundamental values: he seeks greater mastery over his own instrument, the guitar, and always to unlock new musical ideas — in service of songs. Developing musical literacy has proven vital in his career, the majority of which has been spent in service of other people’s songs. In this collaborator role, he has traveled extensively, performing everywhere from DIY clubs to dive bars, to venues, to music festivals, to radio studios, all over the eastern US — with everyone from country bands to rappers, from punk bands to gospel choirs. Currently, he plays with Asheville-based rock band Urban Soil, a powerful quintet formed around singer-songwriter/guitarist Sarah Reinke, and Austin Royale, a Durham-based hip-hop artist who incorporates elements of the punk and avant garde.