We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Robert Abernathy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Robert below.
Robert, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
This is a great question. I pursued a career in music briefly while going to college at Jacksonville State University. But once I graduated, I immediately dove into my career as a teacher. I loved teaching and coaching and it dominated so much of my time that music and performing was not on my radar anymore. 15 years into my career as a teacher, I started playing shows more and more frequently as well as began to work more diligently on my craft as a songwriter. I began to refine those skills enough to begin cowriting, recording and performing. I think it’s different for most people. But honestly I don’t think I would’ve had the life experiences under my belt to have given me the content to write so many songs. I was a late bloomer. It may have cost me time, but I wouldn’t trade the course I have taken for anything
Robert, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As a teacher for 26 years, I was a Middle School and High School Science and Physical Education Teacher while playing weekend shows that would allow me to only partially pursue part of my dream as a singer/songwriter. In 2020, I began a Nashville residency on Broadway at Tin Roof playing the Tuesday show and Friday afternoon shows each week. After retiring as an educator from the state of Alabama, we moved to Nashville to chase the dream. Since that time, I have been a regular on Broadway in the Nashville scene and in the songwriting community.
I am the Lead singer of the Eagles Tribute Band, Eagle Sunrise and the Lead singer of the Alabama Tribute Band, Alabama Sunset in addition to his my own band, the Robert Abernathy Band. In 2023 I was awarded Male Alabama Country Artist of the Year. Additionally that year, I was a finalist for Male Modern Country Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and Male Modern Country Artist of the Year. for the Josie Music Awards held each year at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
I’ve released several songs which have made it to #1 in various Indie Radio Publications. (Water to Whiskey, Heaven Has a Radio and Big Bass Problem) This past year I’ve released 3 new singles and in January the album, “Somewhere Around 18.”
I am a member of the Country Music Association, The Recording Academy (Grammys) and the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I have this drive in me to get my thoughts on paper. Ive always enjoyed writing. The older I got, I began to translate those creative thoughts and ideas to music. My voice memo and note pad on my phone are full of ideas I put down on a regular basis. I can be in the grocery store, driving down the road or in a room full of people when the ideas come. I have learned that if I don’t put them down immediately, I’ll forget them. It’s a bit of therapy in a way. The idea that when you have something to say or want people to understand something, you can do it in such a way that it becomes memorable if you put it in a song.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
When someone listens to something you’ve created and it becomes a part of them. Or when I’m on a stage playing a show, and I look out and see people singing along with words and music that I created, it means everything. I know that may sound cliche, but it really does bring a sense of satisfaction like nothing else. We aren’t around forever. Who knows how many more years I’ll have. It’s nice to know that a simple thing such as a song has the potential to leave a mark and live on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.robertabernathy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabernathy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rabernathy2013
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rabernathy41
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rabernathy