Robert Finley, born on February 13, 1954, is an American blues and soul singer-songwriter and guitarist. His musical journey has been marked by decades of semi-professional performances, interspersed with periods away from music. Hailing from Bernice, Louisiana, Finley's passion for music ignited at the tender age of 11 when he picked up a guitar from a thrift store. Gospel quartet groups left an indelible mark on his early development, as he keenly observed their nimble fingers. In 1970, he joined the U.S. Army, initially as a helicopter technician in Germany, but soon became the band's guitarist and bandleader, touring across Europe.
After returning to Louisiana, Finley continued his musical pursuits as a street performer, gospel group leader, and carpenter. His life took a transformative turn when the Music Maker Relief Foundation discovered him busking before a gig in Arkansas in 2015.
With their support, Finley made a triumphant comeback, releasing his debut album, "Age Don't Mean a Thing," in 2016. The album, produced with soulful compositions, resonated with influences from Booker T. and the MGs, James Brown, and B. B. King. Critics hailed his revitalizing take on Southern soul, propelling him back into the spotlight.
Following this resurgence, Finley collaborated with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, releasing an original soundtrack for the graphic novel "Murder Ballads" and subsequently the album "Goin' Platinum!" His music, a fusion of gospel, blues, soul, and rock, pays homage to his Louisiana roots and continues to captivate audiences worldwide