Upon first encounter, Robbie Stokes is a genuine, fun loving guy who has a whole-hearted chuckle and eyes that dart mischievous glances under wire-framed glasses.

His smile is warm and his gray hair falls just above his brow beneath a ball cap. At 53, he appears to have it all - children he adores, a booming sound company and a loving girlfriend of seven years. This, however, is who Stokes "is." It has been a long journey from who he was.

The two constants in Stokes' life have been music and Southern Illinois. Born in Anna and raised in Carbondale by Southern Illinois University retirees, Stokes is proud of his roots.

"Carbondale is a great place to live," Stokes said. " It has a lot of culture and opportunity crammed into one geographical location."

Stokes, who has played with legends such as the Grateful Dead, developed a love of music early in life. He recalls a keen interest in music while in grammar school and attending Homecoming parades to listen to the bands.

"At 8 years old, I couldn't get enough," Stokes said. "By 15, I was giving guitar lessons."

By the time Stokes grew into his late teens, he became a part of the musical revolution that captured the '60s. Like many of his generation, he packed his bags and headed out to California. Stokes settled into the San Francisco Bay area with band mates from Devil's Kitchen, a name derived from a Southern Illinois lake, and was immersed in the culture and lifestyle of the music scene.

"Back then, going to California was like a pilgrimage you had to make," Stokes said. "Carbondale, in those days, wasn't as liberal as it is now."

Devil's Kitchen, according to Stokes, did quite well in California. He said the band played with many of the young superstars of the following decade as well as turned down a record deal from Mercury Records because they didn't want to comply with the label's plans to control the artistic output.

"We were pretty idealistic," Stokes said. "We just wanted to make music. It wasn't about the money."

Of Stokes' anecdotes, the most prolific are the ones involving the Grateful Dead. He worked with band members Mickey Heart and Robert Hunter while playing on some of their solo albums. He also worked with the Dead on such songs as "Fire on the Mountain" and "Pride of Cucamonga." He is mentioned in the index of Oliver Tiger's book on the Grateful Dead in addition to two of their albums.

After 12 years in California, Stokes' lifestyle brought him back to Carbondale where he continues to influence local music. He is a member of two bands, St. Stephen's Blues and Four on the Floor. Both are bands that have been in the area for more than a decade. He has his own CD, titled "The Road So Far," as well as an album compiled with his son, titled "Dreams." St. Stephen's Blues also has an album called "Epochrypha."

Stokes thinks there is a definite affiliation of Carbondale's music community, especially SIUC graduates, and encounters with fame.

"Jonathan Levine, a good buddy of mine and the drummer for one of the Midwest's best Dead tribute bands, which was out of Carbondale, Uncle John's, left for California where he became an agent," Stokes said. "Then one day, I e-mailed him about a movie I had seen with Joan Osborne in it. He e-mails me back and says 'Dude, she's one of my clients, and I placed her in that movie. And guess what her newest gig is? Singing with the Dead.'"

Stokes was excited to see that not only had an old friend achieved such success, but had once again incorporated the Dead into his life.

"Levine went from playing in a Dead tribute band to becoming the Dead's agent," Stokes said. "I love that stuff. It all ties together."

Last month, Stokes and his girlfriend attended Bonnaroo, a music festival, with the intent on seeing Osborne and the Dead.

"We got out on the highway and pulled right behind their tour bus," Stokes said. "We followed them right into Bonnaroo. In a way they sound kind of like the best Dead tribute Band. It took all three of those guys plus Joan Osborne to replace Jerry."

Stokes recounts the road to fame and its modest beginnings in Carbondale when he discusses the local music scene.

"Take Revis for example. They are an incredible band," Stokes said. "A lot of people are like, 'Oh, wow! They are from Southern Illinois?"

When Stokes isn't on stage, he is running his sound company, Robco Audio, which does sound for local bars and shows as well as documentaries and production for music groups. He also teaches a sound systems course at John A. Logan College.

"I have no regrets," Stokes said. "I am very lucky to have the life I do."

Stokes sees himself as a mentor for local young musicians. He wants to encourage the growth of music in the community. He does admit that he still wonders what would have happened if he had stayed in California but realizes fame wouldn't be the road for him.

"Fame is overrated," Stokes said. "I'm just a normal guy, and I'm fine with that."