Robert Abernathy, the music artist who cut his teeth on Southern Gospel and Traditional Country melodies in Gadsden, Alabama, recently released a new album titled “Somewhere Around 18.” A product of years of meticulous crafting and tireless passion, this album leads listeners on a heartwarming journey back to youthful times, where old friends and the joy of recklessness reigned supreme.
This singer-songwriter who came of age during the era of tall stereos and Michael Jackson’s Thriller record, marries a profound sense of nostalgia with his own contemporary sound, creating a musical amalgam that has drawn praises from a myriad of listeners. One can glean from Abernathy’s upbringing the foundations of his characteristic sound— a fusion of southern charm and relentless innovation.
His musical journey began propitiously, when on a Christmas day in the early 80s this Alabama native received a stereophonic set and Thriller record. He recalls the moment as transformative as the album presented him with an entirely new soundscape that he naturally gravitated towards. He took it upon himself to immerse into the majesty of it, learning every note and lyric by heart.
Years down the line, an old Mickey Mouse guitar and a Mel Bay chord book were all Abernathy needed to awaken his latent aptitude for creating music. His fervor led him to master his craft, learning beloved songs from the band Alabama and The Eagles. By the time he was 16, Abernathy had developed the skills to sing and play, paving way for his realization of a childhood dream – to perform on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. He says, “When I was young, my dream was to play on Lower Broadway. It was something I was so drawn to and it’s amazing nightlife.”
His recent album, “Somewhere Around 18,” is a compilation of 18 radio-ready tracks, all assembled through Abernathy’s creative excursion with various songwriters over the past years. This anthology, which he initially planned to release as a collection of singles and EPs, finally took the shape of an album as Abernathy felt that each song deserved a platform to be heard and enjoyed.
The heartfelt narratives underlying the tracks resonate with the artist at a personal level, making it difficult for him to identify a favorite. Yet the tracks “Heaven Has a Radio,” “Out of the Blue,” “A Little Tied Up,” “Beach Looks Good on You,” and “Redneck Magic” hold a special place in his heart for their individual charm and endearing themes. All these songs serve as a tribute to the past – each chord strikes a memory, each lyric brings an old friend back to life, each melody fills the air with the playful stupidity of being 18.
Music is the heart of who he is, and people look up to his journey for following his dreams. In addition to releasing music, he has residencies at legendary venues such as Tin Roof, Legends Corner, Second Fiddle, Wildhorse Saloon, The Stage, and Dawghouse Saloon out of Nashville and Alabama.
Interestingly, Abernathy’s passion extends beyond the realm of music. Previously retired from teaching, he missed the joys of shaping young minds and recently joined Symrna Primary Elementary School in Rutherford County, just outside of Nashville. Surrounded by eager learners, Abernathy is relishing his role as a P.E. teacher for students from Kindergarten to 5th Grade. Herein again, his youthful spirit shines brightly, creating an environment of learning imbued with absolute joy.
Reflecting his journey through music and life, Abernathy shares, “At a very young age, I took an old Mickey Mouse guitar out of my closet, bought a Mel Bay chord book and taught myself how to play. I started with learning songs from the band Alabama and The Eagles and by the time I was 16 years old, I had learned enough that I could play and sing.”
“Somewhere Around 18” stands testament to Abernathy’s life journey, his love for the past, and his unparalleled knack for creating music that tugs at the heartstrings. It’s an open invitation to all, to join this humble artist’s journey down memory lane and experience a world of melodies filled with nostalgia, charm, and touching reflections.
For more updates on his musical endeavors and compelling stories, follow him on Instagram
‘Somewhere Around 18’ on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3IHgSlCNAjnnOHTsPbY0bf?si=aq_qOs5uRoi7su7wMCot_Q
Published By: Aize Perez
