Tony Cummings spoke to New Mexico-based ROBYN CHRISTIAN, now making steady headway in the US music scene

Robyn Christian

If the name Robyn Christian has yet to register with you, you've clearly not been listening much to Cross Rhythms radio, as her "Dance It Out" single has been getting airplay and now tracks from her 'Smile' EP seem likely to follow. Slowly but surely, the Albuquerque-based singer has been building a reputation in her homeland. In 2004, she sang at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, and more recently her song "Out Of This World" was named Best Song in the New Mexico Music Awards. Now, with interest growing for her 'Smile' EP, the time is clearly right to find out some more about this gifted singer.

Tony: Tell me a bit about yourself.

Robyn: "I'm from Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA and I've been singing since I could talk. I've been singing all my life but professionally I started about four years ago. I started with artist development and I tried out for a little show called American Idol and I made it just before Hollywood Week but it sparked a fire in me to just start singing and to do it with all my heart and to do it for God and have a purpose."

Tony: How did things develop for you spiritually?

Robyn: "Well, actually, I grew up Catholic. My grandmother would take me to church every Sunday. It wasn't until I met my husband and he brought me into more the Christian side of it, not so much Catholic. We are one body but I'm not a practicing Catholic. I grew up with my husband doing the Christian religion, learning God's word and it's been awesome."

Tony: What job does your husband do?

Robyn: "He is a sergeant with the Albuquerque Police Department. When he puts on the uniform every single day I know he is taken care of because God has a hedge of protection over him. So I don't worry one bit about that guy. He knows his job; he's a really good officer. He's very compassionate and loving and he loves his community and he does a really good job so I'm not worried about him."

Tony: There's a lot of turmoil in America at the moment, a lot of social problems, lots of negative stuff going on. Is your husband tied up in all of that? Is it difficult for him these days?

Robyn: "No, like I say, he has this unbelievable faith and he knows 100% that God is always going to take care of him. So he brings that out in our community. He talks to people, he blesses everyone he comes in contact with. For the most part his motto is he doesn't believe in always taking people to gaol; maybe sometimes people are having a bad day. Whatever the thing is he just uses his spirit in doing so. He doesn't have a hard time at all. He actually loves his job. The Albuquerque Police Department is a really good police department here in New Mexico, rated number one in the country; one of the best places to come work as a police officer."

Tony: Now what about your work? Being a professional singer without the support of a big record company and management and all that, is it very hard for you?

Robyn: "Well, it is not hard at all. I am having a blast doing this. I have to give the credit to the good Lord and his directing my path. It has been a really fun journey doing this. So no, it hasn't been hard at all. One of the amazing things about living in Albuquerque is my community and the support that I get from them. I don't really have to go out and find things. People ask me all the time to perform everywhere. This past week I got to perform in Los Angeles for The Voice open mic night. It was totally unplanned; it was just God guiding me there. I was on vacation and I heard about this Voice open mic night and I went over there and I got to perform. I don't know where that's going to lead but I got to be there, talking with these people, the casting directors for The Voice. Like I said, God just led me there. Who needs a record label when you have God taking care of your every step?"

Tony: What about the songs that you sing? Do you mix in some pop love songs as well as gospel stuff or is it all gospel?

Robyn: "One of my albums is a pop album; the root of it is my Christian faith obviously, but it is definitely a pop album. I add in some songs that I personally like to sing or like to hear in my shows. It's different every time. The majority of the time it's my music."

Tony: How did you get to meet up with the producer Sean Hill?