Bob Koenig: Mr. Levittown

Bob Koenig has only lived in the neighborhood for eight years, but he is already referred to as "Mr. Levittown".

How does a relative newcomer earn such a title in a town that is full of people who have owned a home there for over 60 years?

While others are renovating their ranch and cape homes to modernize and enlarge them, Koenig worked on his to take it back to the original Levitt style—all the way down to the kitchen cabinets.

"I feel the Levittown community is still unique," said Koenig. "It started as a town for veterans, and in certain ways it hasn't changed. There are a lot more American flags waving, a lot of community groups to join, a big parade on Memorial Day."

Koenig volunteers as the vice president of the Levittown Community Council and donates much of his time to the Levittown Historical Society, of which he is the board's electronic chair. He serves as a guide at the Levittown Historical Museum on the first Friday of each month, hosts annual talent show Levittown Idol and gives presentations on pop culture from the 1950s to the present at the Levittown Public Library. He performs at events for his church, Levittown Community Church, where he will sing Thursday, Nov. 11 at the Veterans Day concert.

"The society selected [Koenig] as special person at 2008 Community Recognition Night sponsored by the Levittown School District," said Polly Dwyer, president of the Levittown Historical Society. "He has been a wonderful asset to the society."

Adds Paul Manton, vice president of the society, "It's hard to believe that Bob's calendar has only seven days in it like the rest of us."

In addition to his exceptional community involvement and time management—Koenig is also president of the Hicksville Historical Society, a postal worker and a father—his unique musical talents have made him a local celebrity.

Not only does Koenig sing genres ranging from pop/rock to country and folk, but he also plays the guitar, banjo, mandolin, auto harp, harmonica and recorder.

"I never know what I am going to do next," Koenig said of his wide range of musical interests. "It depends on my mood at the moment."

What stands out most about Koenig's music, and what has gained him recognition from the New York Times and News 12, is his unique songwriting, dedicated to his hometown.

To celebrate Levittown's 60th anniversary in 2007, Koenig released a CD called Abbey Lane with BKM records.

One track, "You've Come a Long Way, Levittown", was borrowed from a local school teacher who wrote it for Levittown's 40th anniversary, and some others are previously existing songs with lyrics altered to suit Levittown, such as a version of Malvina Reynold's "Little Boxes". Koenig also sets two poems by Levittown writer Wendell Storms to music. The rest were written entirely by Koenig himself to pay tribute to the iconic suburb that has inspired him since long before he owned a home there.

Koenig has been recording music since the start of his band, the Keys, in the mid-1980s.

The Keys produced and sold their own pop/rock records with Keywhole Records, Inc., and appeared on the USA Network program Dance Party USA. Their flexi-disk records were featured inside a series of comic books by AC Comics, and the band members were transformed into their own comic book characters.

Abbey Lane marked the beginning of Koenig's turn towards folk music, inspired by the sounds of the 1960s with a modern twist.

One song on the CD, "Levittown", features audio from a News 12 interview with the town's founder, William Levitt, spliced into the track.

In 2006, Koenig wrote a CD called "I Love Mineola" in honor of the centennial of the town he grew up in.

Koenig has performed at various venues and events across Long Island, and he is currently forming a country music band called Koenig's Road with his managers and producers, Mark and Susan Gaide, of ChromeOrange Music. Joining Koenig in the band so far are Ron Torina as lead guitarist, Jeff Strell also on guitar and Erich Stollberger on the bass.

"While Bob's career in music spans over two decades, we truly believe that his best work yet will be his new country/rock project, Koenig's Road," said Mark and Susan Gaide.  "It's an exciting blend of classic country with just enough contemporary crossover appeal to make him a hit with today's country music audience.  Simply put, it's the best damn country north of Nashville."

For more information on Koenig's career, visit www.bobkoenigmusic.com.