Artist Spotlight: Rob Greene
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CD/Song Compilation – Satisfied This month, we decided to spotlight a talented, worship leader from Kennesaw, Georgia named Rob Greene. His passion for the Lord is inspiring and he is making a difference in the lives of many local area youth. Rob began playing guitar at 21 and quickly took to song writing. After recording his first project, "Not That Much," in the spring of 2005, Rob went back to the studio in February 2006 to begin work on a 2-song EP called "SATISFIED." His sound is straight forward and easy to listen to. Not only is he is a naturally gifted musician but, he is also poised to make a positive impact on the Christian music scene. Rob is currently working on new material for his highly anticipated, full-length album that he plans to release later this year. In the meantime, enjoy reading excerpts from our recent interview with Rob. |
TCP: Who are some of your influences?
RG: Oh man (laughing)… In high school I was a country music fanatic. I spent all of my time listening to Garth Brooks, Diamond Rio, and the like. I was also a big fan of vocal groups like Truth, Avalon, and Boyz II Men. Over the past few years though, I've been listening to a lot of Coldplay, Gavin Degraw, Jimmy Eat World and Snow Patrol. But I have to say, my absolute favorite stuff to listen to is David Crowder Band. Those guys are geniuses!
TCP: When did you first start playing your instruments?
RG: In middle school, I started playing the saxophone which I loved, until it wasn't the "cool" thing to do anymore. By 8th grade, I had quit; what a MISTAKE! I was basically done playing instruments until about half way through college, when I picked up a dusty guitar I had bought a few years before, but never played.
TCP: How long have you been playing guitar?
RG: It was probably 2000 or 2001 when I picked the thing up and really started trying to learn how to play it. I somehow stumbled into the position of leading a student praise band that year, even though I didn't play an instrument myself. I figured it would probably make it easier to teach students how to play guitar if I actually knew how to myself! Several awkward months later, I found myself playing in front of people for the first time.
TCP: What was the first song you ever wrote?
RG: Oh wow… (ha-ha)… how embarrassing… I remember this quite well though; riding the heels of recent Boyz II Men releases like "On Bended Knee" and All 4 One's "I Swear," I decided one night that I was going to write a love song for the ages. So, at the age of roughly 17, with basically ZERO romantic experience to pull from, I began penning the ever-so-moving lyrics of "All My Heart." It went something to the effect of:
"I will be there to calm your fears // there's only laughter no more tears // and you'll see that I'm doing my part // through all the heartache and the pain // you know our love will still remain // 'cause I'll love you with all my heart."
WOW! Sheer brilliance!!! Forget the fact that I promise "no more tears" in the first half of the chorus then, spend the second half talking about all the heartache and pain we'll suffer together (ha-ha). I don't know how the industry passed on this one!
TCP: Tell me about your first time performing in front of people.
RG: I grew up singing in church choirs so I was in front of people a lot but always with the safety net of a large group around me to deflect attention. During my junior year of high school though, I sang my first solo in a BIG CHURCH no less. I sang the second verse of "Shout to the Lord" as a part of our high school ensemble. I WAS STIFF AS A BOARD, IT WAS TERRIFYING! Honestly, to go back and watch video of me in high school, you'd never think I'd be the one to choose to be up on stage leading people in a song. My parents have some serious blackmail material on those old home videos!
TCP: Tell me the story behind "Satisfy".
RG: "Satisfy" is a song of hope emerging from hurt. I think for the most part, we all grow up looking to find "the one," fall in love, and live happily ever after. I thought I had found God's woman for me… I mean, really and truly believed it… but, somewhere along the way, my pursuit of this girl surpassed my pursuit of God. When I found out that she was NOT "the one," it crushed me. Around Christmas, while getting ready to attend Passion06 up in Nashville, I started to realize that I had forsaken my first love, Jesus. Out of that realization, I began to write "Satisfy," the first song I had written in probably a year. What was really crazy though was when I got to Passion06, Louie Giglio's first talk of the week was ALL ABOUT our satisfaction in Christ and how our satisfaction in Christ and God's glory go hand in hand. I realized that I was just like the people in Jeremiah 3:11-13, I had exchanged my God for the worthless idol of a relationship. I had forsaken God, the fountain of living water and tried to dig my own well that wouldn't even hold water. The song really kind of wrote itself after that.
TCP: What suggestions would you give to people who want to start a band?
RG: Plain and simple: "Don't be arrogant." I was a cocky, prideful little kid growing up. I remember one year, after not being selected to be in the middle school ensemble, I looked at my buddy (who DID make it) and said "no offense, but I don't see how you made it and I didn't!" What a JERK I was! I would have punched me in the face if I was that guy! But seriously, it's important to remember who you are, expecting nothing and appreciating everything. The world doesn't need more arrogant rock stars, they need people willing to put others before themselves, people willing to love the unlovable and reach out to the unreachable. I know that's not musical advice but, if you're a follower of Christ then, life's not about music for you, it's about loving God and loving others. If you get the opportunity to do those 2 things through the avenue of music then, run with it and be glad!
TCP: Have you faced any road blocks from being a Christian artist?
RG: Two things: One, I've come to realize over the years that there are MANY people with WAY more talent than I have. At times, it's discouraging, almost to the point that you want to give up the dream. But, God seems to place little moments of encouragement in my path along the way. The other thing is that I have a full-time job serving the students at my church as a videographer and graphic designer. So, really I can only put a part-time effort into my music because I know God wants me here at North Metro serving our students!
TCP: What album have you listened to most in the past year?
RG: David Crowder Band's "A Collision," no doubt. I mean, it's an UNREAL journey from start to finish, true musical brilliance. These guys are a breath of creative fresh air for the genre. Coldplay's "X&Y" is probably #2 on my list. "Fix You" is one of the most beautiful songs from the past 5 years and honestly, who else can make organs sound THAT STINKIN' COOL!??
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