Local metal show host Robb Chavez announced that he'll be retiring from Robbs Metal Works, which he's been hosting and producing since 1997. The show's final episode, featuring interviews with local acts Brotherhood and Nothing More, is scheduled to air June 21st on Stuff TV (Time Warner Channel 50).
Excerpted from Chavez's announcement:
"To say our contributions via RMW have been fulfilling would be a gross understatement. The Crew and I have always taken great pride in our efforts and always walked away from every show with enormous gratification knowing that our work was impacting fan's lives. More so, that gratification was pure, because RMW has never been about money or politicizing our personal preferences. â?¦
As I sit here in 2009, I can say with confidence that RMW stands at the helm of the metal video medium, not only here in San Antonio, but in ALL of Texas. We are standing strong at the â??top of our game' with the flexibility to pursue a variety of artists at a variety of different locations and junctures. It's truly a great place to be and is a small reminder that our endeavors were respected and applauded both by the industry and artists alike. Thus, it is with a proud heart that I announce my retirement from Robb's MetalWorks.
Those in my inner circles have responded with mixed emotions. It is feedback I can understand, but please know that this decision did not come lightly. In fact, it weighted heavily on me for months last year and its outcome ultimately became a culmination of several important factors. First, after 12 years I simply feel like â??I've done my part' in supporting metal music here in San Antonio. It's a â??changing of the guard' and my hope is that some young upstart out there will take the torch and run with it faster than I ever did. That's the way it should be. The bar has been set. Second, its time for me to give back whole heartedly to my immediate family and friends whose time was so often sacrificed in lieu of RMW commitments. I want to re-focus on growing those relationships because they are ultimately the most important. Lastly, I have made the decision to continue my education once again. In August I will begin a doctoral program at Our Lady of the Lake University. It will be the final step towards the future I see for myself and my family.
Technically, there are many questions still to answer. I will do my best to address all facets of how we will proceed in the coming months. Our final episode will air on June 21, 2009 and it will end, just like it began, supporting San Antonio metal, this time with BROTHERHOOD and NOTHING MORE. Of course, we will also have a May episode as well, which plans to be killer as we celebrate Bay Area Thrash with DEATH ANGEL and TESTAMENT. That episode will air on May 17th. (Visit our myspace for the official flyer)
Speaking of our myspace (www.myspace.com/metalshows) it will also see its final day on Sunday, June 21st. I do not see the purpose in maintaining the myspace any longer, as it was primarily used for marketing and networking the program. The good news is that we will continue to maintain WWW.ROBBSMETALWORKS.COM and the plan is to showcase archival episodes monthly from our STUF-TV era. So, if you ever need a quick fix, just head on over! My webmaster, Paul Alderete, and I also plan to develop the dot.com to include exclusive photo galleries from our history, as well as create an avenue for die-hard RMW fans to acquire DVD episodes.
Our Youtube page at WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/ROBBSMETALWORKS will also stay alive and well. In fact, in the coming year I plan to periodically upload a variety of different video work; some of it interviews, some of it live material. â?¦
As I think about the future, I look forward to being a better husband and father, an outstanding student and just a regular metal fan. Many of you will still see me at shows from time to time - headbanging near the stage, drinking dark beer and supporting bands by purchasing their music and merch. And as the years progress, I can't say what new endeavors may come to fruition, but my sincere hope is that fans will always remember Robbs MetalWorks as a genuine, class act that made its own unique stamp on San Antonio metal!"
