If you're a younger sibling, then you can probably remember the younger years of trying to compete with an older brother or sister. There was always something to compete with, and not only looking up to them, but also really trying to be as good if not better! Does that have a familiar ring to it?
Well in this business most of our ETA families only have one entertainer in it's close core, most but not all- Robin is the younger brother of well known ETA- Darren Lee and working hard to make a mark of his own in the business!
Robin Kelly is one of the more noted "new kids on the block". Still new to the circuit but has dipped his feet into the waters on more then one occasion! Wading in right up to his hips you could say!
My first few thoughts of Robin take me to the Memphis area (as most everything does!).
Under the huge tent down at Graceland crossing, Darren was just finishing up his set of Elvis tunes on stage, while the rest of us were baking in the hot sun watching the performance. Standing there chatting with Robin it dawned on me that this fellow was becoming a nervous wreck, I had no idea why at the time, but would within a few short minutes.
I soon learned that those shaking knees were heading to the stage and that Robin would be standing in the exact spot his brother had just warmed up for him. He was about to sing, for the very first time in front of an audience- a MEMPHIS audience and just a block from the King's famous home!
Now you have to remember here that Robin was not the entertainer he is now. In fact he was not an entertainer at all! The only public singing that he had taken part in had taken place in the hotel lobby in Memphis with a crowd and numerous other ETA's having "jam" sessions-where everyone joined it!
When the soaking wet Darren was through and ready for a bit of a break, he announced that his brother would be coming to the stage to sing a tune. Throwing a terrified look our way, Robin bounded up on stage and hesitantly took the microphone from Darren. Those of us that knew Robin also knew that he was scared to death, although the audience wouldn't have a clue and would simply be waiting for Darren Lee's brother to belt out something equally well.
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