By Judy Shields and Jimmy Steinfeldt
I had the opportunity to talk with Robby Vee and Jimmy Steinfeldt about their collaborative song “Johnny Rode Shotgun,” which is based on Jimmy’s real experience of having Johnny Cash ride shotgun in his car decades ago. How cool is that!
The song Johnny Rode Shotgun features an animated music video created by animator Evan York, with each frame being hand-drawn in an old-school animation style. Robby Vee wrote the music and lyrics with Jimmy, who provided the original story from his book “Rock and Roll Lens,” and the song has been well-received.
Both Jimmy and Robby discussed their ongoing work, with Robby currently on tour performing the song, and Jimmy returning to Minnesota where he continues his rock and roll photography career while planning to teach a photography workshop at the Mode Festival in September https://modefestival.com/
Multimedia Music Video Collaboration
Robby described creating a multimedia piece that evolved into an animated music video for the song. The collaboration involved working remotely with Robby in Minnesota and Jimmy in California, with art from animator Evan York who created animated artwork for the chorus. I expressed surprise and appreciation for the quality of the final animated video.
Hand-Drawn Johnny Cash Music Video
Robby explained how Evan York, an outstanding artist and hand-drawn animator, created an animated music video as a creative workaround to avoid reenacting scenes in Minnesota. The video features traditional elements and is expected to appeal to both younger audiences and traditionalists, with Judy predicting it will go viral due to the combination of Johnny Cash’s popularity and the unique animation style.
Johnny Cash Song Collaboration Experience
Jimmy discussed his experience meeting Johnny Cash and creating a song about it. He shared details about driving Johnny Cash in his new silver Mazda RX-7 to Fort Snelling, where they did a photo shoot at the Civil War site. Jimmy explained that he never could have completed the song without Robby’s help in finishing it.
Song Collaboration Project in Minnesota
Jimmy described collaborating with Robby on the song project in Minnesota, where Robby made a 50% contribution including production work like mixing. Robby explained that they wanted the song to be an original piece of art that stood on its own rather than copying or paying tribute to other works. The project started as a demo but evolved into a completed record after they refined and finished it together.
New Song Collaboration Planning
Robby Vee discussed his collaboration with Jimmy on the new song, highlighting Jimmy’s creative input on a Spanish guitar line. They discussed plans for a future vinyl release, with Robby Vee currently touring and introducing the song into his setlist. Judy congratulated them on the personal touch of the song being based on a true story and inquired about future performances, which Robby Vee confirmed he is already incorporating into his live shows.
Concert Photography and Music Plans
Jimmy discussed his enjoyment of diverse musical projects and his recent concert photography at the Cabooze in Minneapolis, where he photographed his old friends from the band Obsession and other artists including Robert Wilkinson from the Flamin’ Oh’s and the band Mood Ring. Jimmy also shared his plans to spend time with family, see old friends, and go freshwater fishing in Minnesota.
Johnny Rode Shotgun Music Collaboration Interview
Robby shared his social media presence at https://www.robbyvee.com/ and Jimmy discussed his upcoming photography workshop in Minneapolis in September https://www.jimmysteinfeldt.com/
The interview covered their musical backgrounds, how they met through their mutual friend Beej Chaney, and their plans to continue working together through the end of the year, with their music available on platforms like Spotify. The full interview can be viewed here. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-aRIicg-DW5R4_ttU78AGHBWqs2Ei1X7/view
About Robby Vee
Neo-Rockabilly artist Robby Vee “The Prince Of Twang” was born Robert Velline named after his father Bobby Vee. He is recognized by both the American & Canadian Rockabilly Hall of Fames and in 2022 he was recognized by the IRRMA for an Induction into the Iowa Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Vee has been performing his unique style of Rock-n- Roll music for years on stages across the globe. Having been on tour with the legends and architects of rock-n-roll, Robby has learned from, and shared credits and stages with the best, from James Burton to Carl Perkins, Bo Diddley, Albert Lee, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers, Sir Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Dion, The Righteous Brothers, (Royal Albert Hall, London as an Honorary Cricket with) Buddy Holly’s Crickets & Nanci Griffith, Dick Clark and his ‘Caravan of Stars Rock ’N’ Roll Show’, (playwrights) Andrew Lloyd Weber & Tim Rice and his father, 60’s pop rocker Bobby Vee and many more.
Robby is known for combining elements of his vast repertoire telling stories that bridge the generation gap from “the roots of Rock n Roll to the new sounds of Americana music of today”. As an Entertainer with many studio records to his name, countless guest artist credits, and a history of extensive touring, Vee has captured the attention of audiences and respected industry professionals both Nationally and Internationally. Claude Hall, radio-TV editor of Billboard magazine writes, “If this guy had been around during the era of Elvis, he would have given Elvis a run for his money.”
In 2015 Robby Vee was honored by the Senate of the State of Minnesota with a “Senate Resolution” honoring his Life, Art & Legacy as well as recognizing his involvement with charities. Vee is currently an Artist Spokesperson for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America “Artist Raising a Voice For Care”. Robby’s Blue Moon Blue Project featuring the song “Blue Moon Blues” was written for Alzheimer’s awareness and is featured in his shows.
Discography:
Robby Vee & Beej Chaney (Shake It All Up!), Double Spin Vinyl LP, A Forever Kind of Love/Good Morning, Double Spin, Vee Hall, Blue Moon Blue, Viva La Twang, Liquid
Love (featuring co-writes with Ronnie Wood and Waddy Wachtel), Bop (featuring co writes with Multiple Grammy Award-winning Songwriter Wayne Carson), Early Years with the Vee’s (Moon Dog House Party/ Crash Boom Bang It Out), Vee sings Vee (Robby & Bobby Vee) SINGLE: ‘This Love’, SINGLES: Champagne Lane & Permanently Temporary (The Album Network/Clear Channel, Produced by Grammy Award-winning Producer/Engineer Greg Ladanyi for Tidal Wave Music).
More About Robby Vee GO TO: www.robbyvee.com/NEWS
Video Links:
Robby Vee – A Forever Kind of Love, Double Spin
Robby Vee – Small Town, Shake It All Up..!
YouTube.com/watch?v=hC44mZ9agGw
Robby Vee – Buzz, Double Spin
Robby Vee – Good Morning, Double Spin
Robby Vee & Bobby Vee – The Man In Me, Adobe Sessions https://youtu.be/IEtcQMdRMaY
About Jimmy Steinfeldt
The striking black-and-white portrait captures the quiet, focused intensity of a man who has spent four decades documenting the loudest, most chaotic, and most revered corners of music culture. That man is legendary rock photographer, writer, and musician Jimmy Steinfeldt.
Over his prolific 40-year career, Steinfeldt has worked with an astonishingly diverse roster of musical geniuses. His lens has captured everyone from the raw punk energy of the Ramones and the avant-garde jazz mystique of Miles Davis to timeless legends like The Rolling Stones, Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, and Radiohead.
Whether he is holding a microphone, a pen, or a camera, Jimmy Steinfeldt remains one of the ultimate chroniclers and creators of modern music culture. You can explore his absolute dedication to the craft across his major platforms.
The Archive & Portfolio: Explore his extensive 40-year history of rock imagery, order fine art prints, and view his legendary assignments at his official online gallery, JimmySteinfeldt.com.
