Robinella

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Robinella is the band led by singer-songwriter Robin Ella Bailey from Knoxville, Tennessee. The group started in the late 1990s as Robinella and the CCstringband. It was formed by Robin Ella Tipton Contreras and her then-husband Cruz Abdon Contreras, who met while studying at the University of Tennessee. CC stands for Cruz Contreras.

They released three albums under that name before shortening to Robinella. In 2006 they released Solace for the Lonely, which moved toward pop and funk. Earlier work mixed progressive bluegrass and jazz blues. Notable early songs include Robinella’s own “Man Over” and covers like Nanci Griffith’s “Love at the Five and Dime” and “Flashdance (What a Feeling)” from the movie soundtrack.

Robinella released Fly Away Bird in December 2009, along with a live album, A Sunday Kind of Love, featuring performances from Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria in Knoxville, where she played every Sunday for 11 years. Her 2012 album Ode to Love is mostly love songs and features guitarist Frank Vignola, who also co-produced.

Current members are Robinella Bailey, Taylor Coker, Mike Seal, Nolan Nevels, and Justin Hanes. Past members include Cruz Contreras, Billy Contreras, Steve Kovalcheck, Tom Pryor, and Deric Dickens.

Robinella is based in Knoxville and has worked with labels Big Gulley Records, Columbia, and Dualtone. The band has been active since 1998.