Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Robert Bannon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Robert , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Robert Bannon

Unfinished Business….. It’s a moniker I created a few years ago when I decided to venture back to music after over a decade as a school teacher. The meaning and origin started long before that though. What I have learned in my lifetime is things are not always black and white, right and wrong, good and bad, or gay and straight. We are all on a journey. We all have a story to tell and a quest to complete. This story is mine.

As a child in NJ, I loved music. I loved musicals. I performed anywhere and everywhere I could. I was an odd bird, an old soul singing Sinatra, Sammy, and Streisand in my elementary talent shows. I will never forget the first time I was bullied because of who I was. It was in the boy’s bathroom where my name and a homophobic slur was spray painted on the wall. I did not dare say a word at home, to my friends, or to my school. The less attention the better. I did not even know what it meant and often wondered why was I the target? So many children get bullied on a daily basis for just being who they are. These early events leave a lasting scar and trauma on too many of our young people.

Fast forward to my freshman year of HighSchool where I got deathly ill. I fell victim to meningitis caused by chronic Lyme Disease. All of a sudden my little singing career, socialization at school, and my pretty normal childhood was flipped on its head. For the next four years, I battled my disease with antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen treatments, doctors, medicine, and a total lack of the “teenage” experience. I didn’t have a first date, crush, or kiss. I experienced something very grown, but missed so much of the growing.

So I just carried on not dealing with it. Dealing with it was not on my agenda. I would just be.

At some point, the pain of living a partial life was too much. I needed help. After much counseling and support, I realized that music/acting is where my heart lived so I jumped back into it full blast. I stayed by myself, lost a bunch of weight, and got my mind and life together. I decided it was time to be fearless.

All that being said, I knew there was one more piece of business I needed to finish: my personal life. What would my future look like? . Part of me thought I would be alone forever. I was too afraid to confront what I would find if I went digging. I was in the midst of a production of the musical “Rent” when those words “No Day But Today.” just kept haunting me. It was time to face my sexuality head on.

I decided to tell my parents, family, and friends something that I had been struggling with. I was a member of the LGBTQ community. For the most part, I received a ton of love. There are a few people who chose to see their way out and that too is ok. It was the scariest and most liberating experience of my life. Since then, I have had the privilege to hear students, fellow friends, and others on their own “coming out” journey; and ask for my advice. It is a job that I don’t take lightly, but one that I am incredibly honored to take.

Now, not only did I get to sing about the experience of coming out and dealing with sexuality with family in my new single “I Think He Knew” by Matt Gould & Griffin Matthews on my upcoming album release “Unfinished Business,” but I’ve been able to have a healthy relationship with a wonderful partner, find support and love with my friends and family. I guess you can have it all. There is so much support out there. You just have to find it. There is so much love out there sometimes you just need to show it. Life goes on and gets better. It’s never as bad as you think. I promise.

Now I am married. I have the most beautiful, sweet supportive husband. He is more than I could have ever dreamed of. I could never imagine that I could have it all. I could be me, be loved, and be free. Queer love is real. It is a victory to be where I am. It seems impossible. It seems far away. It seemed like it would never happen. I learned, all of the adversity I experienced made me who I am. You can be who you are too. It might be scary. It might be hard, but their is joy on the other side.

I implore you to think of something that you want to do but the fear is holding you back. Sit and think of the people in your life that you look up to. Use their example to propel you to the most authentic you that you can be. Tackle those dreams, quiet the fears, and finish that work. Be unapologetically everything you are. You’re perfect. You’re beautiful, and we are all cheering you on every step of the way! Everyone has something to be “proud” about!

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?

Robert Bannon is an accomplished and lauded cabaret singer and “Saturday Night Live” actor has released the #1 Amazon A/C Album “Unfinished Business,” which is now Streaming wherever music is heard. He has appeared on The Real Housewives of NJ, and created The Broadway Lecture Series which has featured Myles Frost, Jennifer Holliday, and more. He has performed with Patti LaBelle, George Benson, Laura Benati, and more at venues such as Madison Square Garden, The Beacon Theatre, and for the NBA, NHL, and more.

He has performed sets of music as a Queer Rights advocate across the country appearing at Prides in Detroit, Washington DC, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and more. He’s also performed in national touring and regional productions of
“My Big Gay Italian Wedding,” “Rent,” “We Will Rock You,” “My Way” and many more.

He is also the host of the online talk show “The Roundtable” which has featured such guests as Lin Manuel Miranda, Matthew Broderick, Sherri Shepherd, & Billy Porter and thousands more. His daily podcast can be heard on Broadway World, the Broadway Podcast Network, Spotify, and YouTube. Go to RobertBannon.com or follow him on IG @RobertMBannon

Bannon spends his “downtime” from singing and performing in the classroom as a Teacher Leader in Detroit, MI.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The goal of my journey is to keep going and growing. My hope is that I can continue to learn and expand my reach. It is a blessing to hear from people around the world that enjoy the work that I do. It is an honor to be a part of someone’s day with my music, podcast, or art. Let’s keep hearing voices, sharing experiences, and living out loud.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is the ability to express your views, creativity, and heart. It is an important part of being a human! I feel that the experiences that I have had as an artist have shaped my humanity. Without this outlet I feel my life would not be in color. It would be plain, boring, and unfulfilling. Letting your life and creativity fly helps make life come alive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.RobertBannon.com
• Instagram: @robertmbannon
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RobertBannon
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1XKjPvPPzVKFRgwP81jyxf?_authfailed=1

Image Credits

Not applicable