My Philosophy
This site exists first because I’m a musician and I love music and want to help people find good music whether it is my own or others. There is a lot of good music being made in the world and it’s not always being heard by the masses. I’m also a Christian and so the question immediately is asked if this is a Christian music site. Well, in a way, but not really. I don’t think there is any such thing as Christian music anymore than there are Christian coffee tables. There can be a Christian motivation behind the lyrics and the music, but music is music, or a better explanation might be that music is art regardless of the artist’s beliefs. So I make art. It’s what I feel I was born to do. When I write lyrics they come from myself and my mindset, which is as a Christian because that’s who I am. I write consist to who I am. And the Christian’s life is summed up in John 3:16-“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever shall believe in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”. This is definitely what I believe and it sure makes me glad to think that God loves us that much!. But I do not wish to tell anybody else what to believe or what to do. That is up to them. I do not wish to preach. Christians are often portrayed as being pushy and I don’t know if that is an accurate portrayal or not, but I do not want to add to it. But I do wish to express through my art what I think and what I feel and who I am and relate to people and who they are and what they go through. And hopefully, this art will affect lives for the better, including my own. When I write I am always looking at life and looking for what I should say about it, sometimes in the mundane, sometimes in the ethereal. Hopefully I will make art that is at it’s best. I’ve heard it said that when art is at it’s best it can change lives for the better. That is definitely part of my goal, both for others and for myself. I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to all the artists (Christians or not) that have influenced me (many of which are listed on my Influences page). I believe my life is better because of the music, films, books, paintings, etc. that have influenced my life. My hope is to similarly be able to influence others.
I also have a heart for other musicians and want to help them in any way I can with resources and tips. Most people don’t realize how difficult it is to be a full time musician. Pretty much only the very most famous musicians do well financially (and they pay their own price). All others struggle through for most of their lives. I hope I can help with what I’ve learned whether it be with resources for independent artists, or tips on how to stay healthy (hand and arm injuries are insidiously common among players), or just how to stay sane through all the insanity we go through.
Finally, if people are looking for a keyboardist or a producer or a songwriter, I wanted to have all the tools they would need to see what I do. I have sound clips, lists of gear, lists of who I’ve played with, etc. to help them get a better idea of what I do.
Let me know any feedback you have and/or ideas for future lists or columns. I hope you enjoy your time at robrinderer.com!
I’m browsing to your website from Norm Stockton’s website and know that you’re a christian. I’m very down recently, I don’t know what should I do now for my music career. Sometimes, I’m feeling sorry with God that I’m shame His name. I’m 25 at this year, but I’m still never into social, and never try to get a job. I shouldn’t wait until I’m achieve highly-advanced level in order to get a job, I shouldn’t be so selfish, I should care for my parents feeling, I’m also have to think and care for my future wife.
I’m just won 11th annual GASC international songwriting competition as 1st place winner in instrumental category. But, I’m still lack of money do finish my music album which is still in the middle of the process. I don’t know what should I do now… By the way, you can take a listen with my music on my Myspace.
You know, I have encountered this many times in my life when I wasn’t sure what to do with my music. What I have found to be true for me is that God wants me to be close to him. He’s more concerned, I think, with being our friend, our savior, and our God than he is with what we do with our music. That’s not to say he doesn’t want us to exercise our gifts. He definitely gives us gifts, and he wants us to use those gifts for his purposes. But if we get too concerned with the music (the gift), we can lose sight of what’s really important. Not that you are doing that-I don’t know-I’m just sharing what I have learned. Spend a lot of time in the Bible and in prayer and see what he shows you. Get as close to him as possible and then be looking for ways he can use your music for his purposes. BTW, nice piece on your myspace page! I liked it a lot. I’ll be praying for you!