of the band's final shows before breaking up was a benefit concert in 1990 to raise money for the installation of a recording studio at Malone's alma mater, Jefferson Township High School in New Jersey. The band broke up in 1990 and Malone moved to Los Angeles that same year. 1991-2000 Around the time Malone moved to Los Angeles, he began performing as Bob Malone. He moved away from the pop-rock sound of his former band and developed a style that combined blues, New Orleans piano, and singer-songwriter craftsmanship. He initially supporting himself in bars and restaurants, playing covers and top-40. He was named to Music Connection’s Best Unsigned Artists list for five years in a row before securing a deal with Criterion Music Publishing in 1992. It was at Criterion that Malone began his long association with Florida State University Poet in Residence Michael Rothenberg, with whom he has co-written songs that have appeared on three of Malone’s albums. The two performed live together numerous times, including on the Rockpile on the Road tour with legendary beat poet David Meltzer. In 1993, Malone joined Freddy Fender’s band for a short tour. In 1996, he released his first solo album, The Darkest Part Of The Night, with Chartmaker Records. The album, which was recorded live in one day with his band at 3rd Encore Studios in Los Angeles, received positive reviews and placement in several critics’ top-10 lists. Songs from the album were featured on NPR’s Car Talk and Acoustic Café. After the release of The Darkest Part Of The Night, Malone began to tour as a solo performer, first as an opening act and later as a headliner. He went on to win the Boston Acoustic Underground Award for best male performer in 1995 and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival New Artist Competition in 1996, and placed as a finalist at Kerrville Folk Festival in 1995 and 1996. Also during this time, he played his first show with a major act, opening for Boz Scaggs in San Diego before a crowd of 10,000. The year 1998 saw the release of Malone's second Chartmaker release, Bob Malone, followed by tour dates opening for the Neville Brothers, Average White Band, Vonda Shepard, The Manhattan Transfer, and Al Green, as well as his first solo tours in Italy and Japan. 2001-2010 Malone spent portions of the year 2000 living in New York City