Robert Abernathy’s story stands out as an inspiring testament to passion, perseverance, and never giving up on your dreams. His musical journey, spanning several decades, is a captivating tale that has seen him rise from humble beginnings to become a celebrated country artist. His love affair with music ignited in the 1990s when he first picked up a Mickey Mouse guitar. Armed with a chord book and an unwavering determination to play, he began to learn chords from legendary bands like the Eagles and Alabama. What started as a young boy’s curiosity soon blossomed into a lifelong passion.
High School Band and the Quest for Progression Abernathy’s musical journey gained momentum during his high school years when he founded a band. The early days were far from perfection, however, he recognized the progression and growth that came with time and practice. This dedication to improvement would set the stage for his future success.
A Triumph at the Grand Ole Opry In 1995, Abernathy and his musical journey reached a significant milestone when he formed a vocal group. Their talent and dedication led them to the Grand Ole Opry, where they competed and emerged victorious at the Nashville Starbound Competition, claiming the coveted first place. This early achievement at such a renowned venue foreshadowed Abernathy’s future in the country music scene.
Influences that Shaped His Sound Growing up, Robert Abernathy drew inspiration from iconic country music acts like Diamond Rio, Alabama, Eagles, and Restless Heart. What captivated him most about these artists was their masterful harmonies. Abernathy’s love for harmony would later become a defining aspect of his musical identity.
The Teaching Career Dilemma: Balancing Passion and Responsibility A significant challenge Abernathy faced in his musical journey was balancing his teaching career with his love for music. For most of his professional life, he dedicated himself to teaching seventh-grade students. The financial constraints and time limitations of teaching limited his ability to commit fully to music. Requests to perform all over the country constantly tempted him, but the constraints of his teaching job held him back. Even during summers, he was tied up with a recurring summer camp, preventing him from embarking on music tours. Between 1996 and 2010, Abernathy’s music remained on hold.
The Pandemic’s Silver Lining: A Nashville Residency A turning point in Abernathy’s life occurred in 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. His original songs caught the attention of someone who offered him a residency in the vibrant music scene of Nashville. This opportunity required him to leave his teaching job every Tuesday, and remarkably, his school principal supported his musical journey. With just one year left until retirement after 25 years of teaching, Abernathy seized the chance to open doors for Friday and Saturday night residencies in Nashville, allowing him to perform extensively.
A Multifaceted Artist: Tribute Bands and Originals Today, Robert Abernathy is more than just a country music artist; he’s a versatile performer who showcases his own original songs and serves as the lead singer in an Eagles tribute band. He’s living his dream, performing the music he loves and writing heartfelt lyrics. Most recently, he released a song called “Redneck Magic,” featuring artist SMO, who is known for his reality show on A&E and his former affiliation with Warner Music.
The Motivation to Chase Dreams When Abernathy retired, he was already performing as a teacher on weekends, but some shows required travel, posing challenges. Limited by teaching and coaching commitments, he finally decided to follow his dreams after 25 years in education. He made a significant move to Nashville to focus on songwriting. Just two months after relocating, he signed a record deal and began writing songs for other musicians. Winning the 2018 Alabama Male Country Artist of the Year and the 2023 Alabama Male Country Artist of the Year served as validation and motivation. Starting an entirely new life at 50, he discovered that success as an artist was attainable. He continued writing, earning recognition as a finalist for the following categories this year at the prestigious Josie Music Awards:
- Modern Country Male Artist of the Year
- Modern Country Male Vocalist of the Year
- Entertainer of the Year (across all genres)
His remarkable journey through these years also saw him emerge as a formidable finalist in multiple categories, firmly establishing his presence in the music industry. As the Entertainer of the Year finalist, he was one of 9 selected from a pool of over 59,000 submissions.
Exciting New Ventures: Holiday Song and EP Robert Abernathy’s journey continues with exciting projects on the horizon. Get ready for his new song release on November 10th, he plans to release a holiday song featuring the talented Marissa Luna who is the current Miss University of Alabama, accompanied by a captivating music video. He describes her as “incredibly talented” with “an amazing voice.” Furthermore, an EP is scheduled for release in January, promising fresh melodies and poignant lyrics for his ever-growing fanbase.
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