A self-described nerd behind the scenes, Rob Storm opened up about his “longing to be accepted” with a sentimental ballad titled “Take Me Back Toledo,” featured on this year’s “Red, White, & You, Too!” CD.
The son of two guitarists, Toledo-born Storm left the city at age 10 and did not return for more than 30 years. He was living in Dallas when he traveled to Toledo for a two-week trip that has turned into the past 14 years.
“This song became a personal, sentimental thing to me, where I’m yelling out to my mother, Patte Boyd, to move back home. She passed away about a year and a half ago,” Storm said. “It’s kinda evolved into something where if anyone wants to go back home then they should. If you’re lost out in the world like I was feeling, not so crazy about living in South Texas, then go back home.”
Storm, who prefers to write original songs, usually performs contemporary acoustic rock and electric blues, though he characterizes “Take Me Back Toledo” as “folk pop.” He said he hopes the tune will serve as inspiration to rally the city “in whatever way that may manifest itself.”
“Take Me Back Toledo” became a huge hit at the Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tennessee, the city where Storm’s song also debuted on famed radio host and drummer Billy Block’s playlist.
“Hauntingly captivating, mystically spellbinding, a whirlwind of motion … the melodic storm from within. It is easy to lose yourself in the music of Rob Storm no matter what type of music you’re into,” said “The Billy Block Show” in a written statement in July 2013.
During the past year, Storm has been recording and writing “reclusively,” though he said he plans to begin playing in public more frequently.
“I don’t want to push the song in people’s faces. It will naturally take off if people like it. You can’t force music on anybody, just like you can’t force any specific place on anybody,” Storm said. “I’ve turned my whole life around in Toledo, so I really believe in this town. I always had great memories of it. When I was here, I felt like a somebody, like I could be heard.”
