"Bobbie Van Detta is unfortunately not a household name in the Capital Region, but ask any musician about him and they'll smile and humbly say he's one of the best.  Van Detta is a triple threat who plays, sings and writes -- all with equal talent and spirit.  His solo album, "My New Hero," bridges pop, rock and gospel overtones, with every tune -- including the delightful "Doesn't Anybody Have A Heart" -- marked by passion and skill.  And Van Detta's so busy as a sideman (playing bass, guitar and backup vocalist) that his solo dates are rare, so be sure to stop by to see what he's serving up.  

-- Michael Eck, timesunion.com Entertainment Calendar

"What Van Detta does is craft smooth, accessible songs that are filled with comfortable hooks and mellow grooves.  His main instruments are bass and guitar, and his voice has such a crowd-pleasing warmth that he balances solo gigs with session work as a backup singer and a jingle vocalist... The varied styles on My New Hero range from the midtempo, harmony-laced pop of "Doesn't Anybody Have a Heart?" to the melodic, countrified folk of the title track; while a heavy Beatles influence is immediately audible, Van Detta also offers plenty of blue-eyed soul ... the disc is written, arranged and performed with ... a sure hand."  

-- Peter Hanson, Metroland; July 6, 2000

"Bobbie deserves to be in this list of The Few, The Chosen because he has a unique, and sweet, talent... and has always, always fronted his own bands and enjoyed wildly successful solo career.

"His songwriting talents and profoundly beautiful tenor voice make you stop mid-conversation and just look; in another place, another time, he'd have been recruited for the Vienna Choir Boys.  To say that Bobbie has a gift would be an understatement: he has been graced with an unusual talent for singing, for pulling emotion and expression from the depth of his soul, via his extraordinary pipes.

"... he's created a dynamic and soulful man -- with direction and spirit that we should all seek in ourselves -- but many are afraid to plumb the depths of soul.  That growth, that fearlessness to seek -- and find -- himself has resulted in his magnificent new CD, My New Hero. This musical offering is not for the faint-of-heart...

"No, My New Hero is lyrical pop/rock: beautiful guitar work by Bobbie accompanies those vocals... but it's more than that.  The weak should not venture here if you're afraid of self-discovery.  His lyrics are penetrating, thought-provoking, searching, loving, painful -- a spiritual, and emotional journey. A retreat, if you will. The day you're ready to take that walk in the woods, to read Thoreau, to Drive "Til You Get There" -- that is the day to pop My New Hero into the CD player and let it wash over you.

"... I do believe that My New Hero says it all so very well: Bobbie Van Detta may well become you New Hero, especially if you're on the path to self-discovery. There's nary a songwriter out there to rival his bravery in bringing the guts to the surface, and to do it with musical ability that most of us can only imagine..."

-- Marion Altieri, Poor Richards Saratoga Journal; June 2000