About Rob Frazier
Singer. Songwriter. Recording Artist. Worship Leader. Pastor. Speaker. How does all that fit together in one life? It's not easy but Rob Frazier feels a calling to all of these roles and attempts to make room for them all. As a means of self-expression and service to God, they all have a place in his heart. Besides, Rob has a few miles on his odometer, over 25 years in ministry to be exact.
A veteran of the Contemporary Christian Music scene (yes, CCM actually does stand for something!), Frazier has been active as a solo artist for nearly 20 years with experience in several bands before that. Always, he seems to focus on what his music has consistently conveyed: that the Christian life is not just one decision but constant growth and discovery - something that touches every area of life. Upon listening to his songs, it's obvious that this artist is capable of penetrating observations on the Christian experience even as his music is entertaining and real, finding success within the sometimes narrow confines of Christian radio, often going right up the charts. He believes that the effective singer/songwriter shares his experiences with God in ways that others can relate to as well as be challenged by to trust Him more.
Thus, giftedness in the areas of encouragement, exhortation and teaching have long been components of his concert ministry and it's not been hard to see the heart of the pastor eclipsing the artist. He began to sense God's calling toward that end and began part-time seminary training in 1998, earning an MA from the Divinity School at Regent University in 2003. He now serves as Associate Pastor for Community Life at Belmont Church (non-denominational) in Nashville, Tennessee where he is also one of several worship leaders.
Ministering to the post-modern generation requires a deep appreciation of the arts as well as a keen understanding of the high value placed upon community. Baby-boomers share these values but understand them in a different, less essential-to-faith way. There is no one "key" to unlocking the potential of a generation but if older leaders hope to engage younger people and unite them to the rest of the church, they (we) must embrace these ideals, make room for them but not try to turn them into another "program" for the church to exploit. Thus, Rob believes that the artist can transcend generational differences, divorcing mere "fashion" from honest expression - all for the sake of the Kingdom of God. At the same time, faithfulness to Biblical truth should be our guiding light and need not deter us from true artistic diversity within the church.
Rob is currently working on both an album of new worship songs and a solo piano CD.
HISTORY
His last solo project was released in 1997, entitled The Things I Say. Working with legendary producer Dave Perkins (Newsboys, Steve Taylor, Randy Stonehill, Chagall Guevera) was a stimulating experience and resulted in a deeply personal album with a harder edge than his earlier releases and secured a 1998 Indie Award. Best known songs are the title track as well as "Watching Over Me" and "Everything is New Under the Son."
"Forgiven," "We Are One," "A Place Called Heaven" and "Hole in My Heart," the first four singles from The Long Run, Frazier's previous effort all reached the CCM Top 10. Before that he released Retrospect, a "Best of... Volume 1" project plus three new songs, which yielded two top 10 songs, "Love is Sacrifice" and "Why Why Why," a punchy duet with Steve Camp. "Got Your Word on It" and "The Heartland" from the 1990 album of the same name both occupied the #2 spots on the national survey for several weeks and remain staples on Christian radio today.
Meanwhile, Rob began receiving heavy mainstream airplay in South Africa, beginning with the song "Go Through Fire," which led to two sold out tours there in the mid '90s. He says it was interesting to see his name on the radio charts above the Rolling Stones and Sara McLaughlan, among others! He also undertook several tours of Australia where he recorded the surprise blues band project with two popular Australian Christian artists called The Blues Farmers. That project is now out in North America and is lots of fun!
Previous well-known songs include the standards "(Doesn't Anybody Pray in) This Town Anymore" and "Break My Heart" from 1987's This Town. In 1984 he released his solo debut, Cut It Away, including the hits "Come On Elaine," "Train Up a Child" and the classic "He is All You Need" recorded by Steve Camp and other artists.
Frazier has enjoyed a close relationship with Camp for nearly two decades, co-writing many of the songs on his last 11 albums as well as songs for other artists including Margaret Becker, Rick Cua, Geoff Moore and the Distance, Kenny Marks, John Fischer, the classic-rock band KANSAS and others. His songwriting skills have been widely recognized, including numerous Top 10 Songwriter of the Year citations by the Gospel Music Association as well as two Dove Award nominations for "Song of the Year." He was also a contributing member of the group PETRA for several years appearing on the albums Washes Whiter Than, War and Remembrance' and PETRA - The Early Years. Prior to that he led a band in intensive evangelistic youth work throughout Great Britain and other European nations.
Raised the son of a pastor near Philadelphia, PA, he lives in Nashville with Carol, his wife of 26 years and their three children, ages 22, 17 and 15. He is also involved with several para-church ministries including Compassion International.
Rob is available for concerts, worship leading and speaking and is especially appropriate for retreats and conferences. Contact him directly via the Get in touch page OR via 615.292.0582 phone/fax (USA).
DISCOGRAPHY:
CUT IT AWAY Light Records, Newbury Park CA 1984THIS TOWN Light Records, Newbury Park CA 1986
THE HEARTLAND Urgent Records (Benson), Nashville TN 1990
RETROSPECT Urgent Records (Benson), Nashville TN 1992
THE LONG RUN Urgent Records, Austin TX 1994
THE THINGS I SAY Freedom Records (Malaco) Franklin TN 1997
BLUES FARMERS Freedom Records (Malaco) Franklin TN 1999
