Bluegrass singer/songwriter Kim Robins has announced her intention to dissolve her 40 Years Late band, and come off the road.
Hers is a story that will be familiar to a good many bluegrass artists. Kim Brummett was a popular vocalist as a teen in Indiana, and was on the path to a career as a singer. But the birth of a daughter when Kim was 19 turned her priorities around, and music took a back seat to motherhood.
While raising her daughter and obtaining two college degrees, Kim met and married Butch Robins, former Blue Grass Boy and active musician, whose own artistry rekindled her own. Soon she was writing songs and singing again, but still tied to her chosen role of mom.
The marriage didn’t last, but the music took hold, and by 2007 she had enough material to start thinking about an album. Work didn’t start in earnest until 2011, with 40 Years Late the result in 2013. The title was both a tribute to Butch, who had released an album under that name in 1977, and the period of time between when Kim started in music and her first CD release.
But the rigors of touring while also maintaining a full-time, non-music career have taken their toll. Kim shared this statement yesterday with her fans…
“It is with much thought and consideration that I have decided to disband the 40 Years Late band. The constant struggle of running a band and keeping band members has proven to be more challenging than I had expected. My heart will remain in music and I am still planning to finish a new album with Rickey Wasson and Ron Stewart producing.
My birthday show on November 7th will be my last show. Thank you to everyone who has helped me over the years. A special thanks to Spencer Sallee and Caleb Garrett for their continued loyalty. I wish them both success. Thank you to everyone who has booked my band over the last few years. I hope to see you all in some capacity down the road.”
We’ll share details about that new album as they are available, and wish Kim luck in the future.
