On
the journey to finding our true purpose in life and achieving our dreams, many
of us have a faith-based foundation that provides us a spiritual strength to
endure whatever life throws at us. It also serves sense of comfort & direction
to guide us through. Rob Williams is one of many individuals in the world that
has used his faith in finding what he refers to as his calling here on Earth.
His story is one heard like no other, but is a true testament that shouldn't go
untold. He spoke to us about his path to
creating something that he takes much pride in, but gives all the credit to the
higher power. Several years prior to Rob Williams discovering his calling, he
would not have seen himself where he is today. Before committing his life fully
to the Christian faith, Rob would describe himself as a “been there, done that”
type of person, indulging in everything from drugs, partying, careless living
and women.
When faced with a choice in regards to the direction of his life, Williams chose the “right way” to live. That way led him to creating Eternal Jam Machine. Machine serving as the artist behind the music that produces cool sounds with a Christian eternal truth, Eternal Jam Machine is a revamped sound to the average contemporary Christian song.
“For much of my life it was all
about me. It was all about making money, the flesh and what felt good. I was
all about it. I still had desires for music but I didn’t know how to write a
record, I don’t play an instrument, I don’t know anything about that stuff. I
have it in my head but I don’t know how to make a record. I believe that God
put me on a path that allowed a series of events and a series of doors to be
put in front of me and giving me a choice of opening the doors and walking down
the paths…and I did. I want nothing more out of it than to make cooler sounding
Christian music, period. I’m down with anything that’s pop, Hip-Hop, club
flavor. I’m not really into the country or contemporary Christian music; I’m
more into the mainstream flavor.”
For
an individual that isn't musically inclined, Rob Williams stepped out on a limb
and entrusted his vision in the dynamic writing duo Rock City to create his
first song “Dancing In Heaven.” What started in a hotel lobby in Atlanta,
turned into a dream come true for Rob Williams. “These kinds of things just don’t happen. For someone who doesn't know
anything about music is suddenly writing records with Rock City. The only way I
can explain it, is that God’s hand was in it orchestrating the whole thing.”
“I was staying at the W Hotel in
Atlanta on business for something completely different and there was an International
DJ Conference going on downstairs. I was in my room thinking it was no coincidence,
so I would go and speak to someone since I don’t know anything about music. I
go downstairs and there’s a bunch of people in the lobby and I picked out one
guy, Nick Love. I spoke with him about my vision to see if I could really get
someone who could do this in a big way and this is how much money I have to put
behind this. He told me he knew Rock City who’s worked with Miley Cyrus, Usher,
Beyoncé and I was like cool let’s get it done! He introduced me to Ray Daniels
who manages Rock City and we took it from there."
Before
relocating to Orlando, Florida, Rob Williams grew up a Georgia native. He grew
up to the sounds of Eazy E and NWA. Still very much influenced by artist such
as Michael Jackson, Usher, Miley Cyrus, Jay-Z, and Taylor Swift, Rob’s taste
for music never diminished. His music channels a sound that appeals to a pop/electronic style which is unfamiliar to many in the Christian genre. He finds himself
identifying with current Hip-Hop Christian artist Lecrae, who has found success
with creating Hip-Hop music with a Christian message. Williams believes that
music from those similar to Lecrae and Eternal Jam Machine are showing the
industry there is a need and demand for crossover music in the Christian/Gospel
genre.
There
is a common perception that Christian artist don’t listen to mainstream
R&B, Hip-Hop, Pop or Rock music due to the message in their music. Williams’
message for his music is simple, but he doesn't let that stray him from
applying that to music he’s loved much of his life. He admits that although he doesn't exactly listen to hardcore rap such as Straight Out Of Compton anymore, he still finds himself listening
to a variety of types of music on the radio.
“I've struggled with that question myself.
The answer is yes, I do still listen to mainstream radio. For example, I love
Ariana Grande’s album. We may have some different thoughts on how we view life
and the world but, as far as the record itself, I love her voice, I love her
sound. I think it is important to keep your eye on mainstream and who the
hottest artist is, so that if it’s something that you hear that you like a
little bit of this, and a little bit of that you can keep it fresh. We always
have to keep pushing the envelope forward. It came to a point in Christian
music where they couldn't keep evolving the music with the same quality message
with where music is now."
“I knew I couldn't have done it alone.” Being connected to great people since
networking in the hotel lobby in Atlanta, Rob Williams is extremely grateful
for those who have helped him along the way. He has a supportive wife by his
side that has put just as much into his dream as he has. When they discovered
there was a different way to give back to God, Williams and his wife used an amount
of their income and God’s money to put into the music. He expressed he doesn't intend on personally financially benefiting from his music. Williams also does
not plan on quitting his day job. By day, he serves as a seller of medical
devices and plans to continue to finance his music with his hard earned money.
He shares that any money made from his music will go right back to God. “Man cannot take glory for it,” he
shares as he speaks on wanting to live through the will of God’s versus his
own.
In
the beginning Rob Williams shared his reservations on trusting his vision with
someone else initially. Meeting Rock City for the first time, putting all of
his money and trust into them was a huge risk. The risk he took created “Dancing
In Heaven” which is currently being played on over 100 radio stations
nationwide, having the video debut on Vevo, and receiving placement on the Christian
Billboard charts. “The music speaks for itself. There is no Usher, no Brittany Speaks for
you to see.”
His
first major opportunity allowed him to team up with Grammy winning
singer/songwriter Crystal Nicole for his second record “I’m All Yours.” That isn't too bad for someone who put his faith first and his fears last. His
biggest fear moving forward is simply not doing his own will and really
believing what he is doing is God’s will. He quoted a verse from scripture Philippians
4:13 of the Holy Bible “I can do all
things through Christ which strengthens me.” Rob Williams’ story is truly inspirational and
an amazing example of our motto “blaze along your dreams.”
As the man behind
the machine and the eternal message, he turned his vision into doing something
that’s never been done before. Eternal Jam Machine will allow you to comfortably
and freely stand for what you believe in artistically, while dancing your way
into the place you believe you’ll go after your physical time on Earth is
complete.
Watch "Dancing In Heaven" below:
CONVERSATION