JR to release new book, experience

Creston-native John “JR” Robinson has accomplished a lot since his days at Creston High School. From drumming on Emmy Award-winning albums to working on scores for films such as “The Hangover,” Robinson has been involved in seemingly every facet of the entertainment industry. However, he’s about to throw his name into another aspect of the world.

“King of the Groove: The John ‘JR’ Robinson Story” is Robinson’s newest project. An autobiography about his life’s journey, Robinson’s book starts out in Creston.

“It’s about everything. It’s about me growing up on 404 North Spruce Street ... all the different things from my youth, getting into college and music camps, Iowa State University basketball camp and then going to Berklee,” Robinson said. “It’s just basically this run of my life.”

Robinson has been working on his book for over a year and hopes to have it released by Sept. 1. Pre-sale for the book is available on Robinson’s website https://www.johnjrrobinson.com/.

“It’s always nice to get support, especially from your hometown,” Robinson said. “They can keep in touch with me if they’d like to. My website goes directly to my email.”

His book isn’t the only thing Robinson has up his sleeve. Coming soon with be the “John ‘JR’ Robinson Experience.”

“I’m putting a whole different kind of thing together. That’ll be comprised of all these number one records and hit records that I’ve played on,” Robinson said. “I’ll have a female vocalist with me and a really crack band, and then it will be obviously a lot of my drumming but it will also be incredibly entertaining.”

While there aren’t many specifics set yet, Robinson said he hopes to have the project put together by the end of the year.

Ever the busy man, Robinson is also performing with both his jazz trio SRT and producer David Foster.

Made up of guitarist Andrew Synowiec, keyboardist Mitch Towne and Robinson, SRT released their first album “Vanguards of Groove” in June 2023. They will be performing on July 25 at Omaha’s Midtown Crossing Jazz on the Green.

Robinson’s next hometown performance will be April 30 at the Hoyt Sherman in Des Moines with Foster and Foster’s wife, actress and singer Katharine McPhee.

“Of course it’s about David’s hits and who he’s produced and then he’s got his lovely wife Katherine McFee and she is basically the focal point of the vocals,” Robinson said. “We have a young tenor named Daniel Emmett, and then I have my own medley in the middle of the show that lights people up. Several of my hits.”

Robinson said he’s worked with Foster since 1981, when they both helped in the recording of Bill Champlin’s “Runaway.”

“He and I were always kind of like brother,” Robinson said. He became this huge record producer and I’ve always worked with him. Now we’re going to go out and do the grueling touring, which is fun and yet incredibly stressful.”

Des Moines starts off three weeks of touring around the Midwest and East coast. While living on the road isn’t as easy as it once was, Robinson said it can still be enjoyable due to people around him.

Always having something new to show the world, Robinson is also working on a secret project, the details of which will soon be released.

“I’m working on something mammoth that everyone will like,” Robinson said. Until then, there are plenty of ways to keep up with him. From his new book to his his many concerts, Robinson seems to keep up with the rock star lifestyle. However, he said he’ll never forget where he came from.

“I look forward to seeing my old friends and I want them to realize, whatever I have done or done things that seem quite glamorous, I am a Creston, Iowa, boy at heart and I always have been,” Robinson said. “I always look forward to coming back to the Midwest.”