Rob Smith Musician Songwriter

Who is Rob Smith?

Rob is a talented musician whose experience as singer/songwriter in power/pop bands and producer of his own range of contemporary christian music, spans over 25 years.

• Born 10 May, 1964 in Cambridge, England

• Lives in Sydney, Australia

• Married to Claire (since December, 1988)

• Father to Nathanael (born, 1990)

• Singer, song-writer, producer, session musician

• Lecturer at Sydney Missionary & Bible College, 2002 -

• Assistant to Director, Ministry Training & Development, Anglican Diocese of Sydney, 2005 -

The Affections Little By Little

The Innocents

ROB'S MUSICAL JOURNEY

Getting Started

Rob grew up surrounded by music - learning the piano at age 6, drums at age 8 and guitar at age 9. None of the lessons lasted very long (eg, only 6 lessons on guitar), but they were enough to get him started and into music. By age 11 he was writing songs and experimenting with recording equipment.

The Affections

Early in high school, Rob formed a band which - after several name and line-up changes - eventually called itself 'The Affections'. In 1979 (when Rob was 15), The Affections became national finalists in the Hoadley's 'Battle of the Bands Competition'. As a result of the exposure and recognition which the band achieved through the competition, in 1980 they signed with Michael Browning's fledgling label, Deluxe Records - an arm of RCA.

The Affections spent the next 2 years rehearsing, performing, touring, writing and recording and by 1982 had become a popular live band on Sydney's musical landscape. Whilst having several albums worth of original material (mostly written by Rob), they released only one single in 1982 - A: This is Love (R. Smith)/B: Little by Little (R. Smith), produced by Jim Manzie of Ol' 55 fame. A combination of mishaps and disappointments led to the demise of the band in early 1983.

The Innocents

Within days of The Affections collapse, Rob was invited to join forces with the (originally) Tasmanian, power-pop band, The Innocents (formerly, Beathoven); best known for their 1980 hit, 'Sooner or Later'. Rob had already had a brief spell playing with The Innocents back in 1980 and had remained close friends with the members of the band. The Innocents spent 1983 writing, recording and touring in Tasmania, before returning to Sydney in 1984 to try and pick up where they left off. Success, however, proved more elusive this time. The Innocents continued touring and writing until 1986 when finally they all decided it was about time to try other things.

But this was not the end! In 2000, The Innocents were invited to re-form and feature at the International Pop Overthrow festival in Los Angeles. Out of this venture came the ZIP Records Anthology of The Innocents, No Hit Wonders from Down Under, performances at The Lost Weekend festivals in Sydney (2002 & 2003) and appearances on the ABC's 7.30 Report (2000) and Good Morning Australia (2002). The Innocents have since released a new album - Pop Factory (2005) and toured in the UK, Europe and Japan.

Christian music

The biggest change in Rob's life took place at the end of 1983 when he became a follower of Jesus Christ. Since then, Rob has been heavily involved in the production of Christian Music. He has written music for both Christian radio and Christian television, and has produced a number of albums for a variety of Christian artists.

In addition to this, Rob has written (either in whole or in part) and produced 6 albums of Christian congregational/educational material. These are:

Isn't it good: Group Media Productions (CEO, 1986). A children's album written for Primary School Christian education.
Our God Reigns: Bethlehem (Windwood Productions, 1988). An album of contemporary Christian congregational songs.
Behold Your King: Bethlehem (Windwood Productions, 1992). An album of contemporary Christian congregational songs.
Christ for Us: Bethlehem (Windwood Productions, 1995). An album of contemporary Christian congregational songs.
Come to the Waters: Bethlehem (Windwood Productions, 1998). An album of contemporary Christian congregational songs.
No Other Name: Rob Smith & Nicky Chiswell (EMU Music, 2001). An album of contemporary Christian congregational songs.

Rob has also contributed songs to a number of EMU Music releases:

(1) You Alone: Bethlehem (EMU Music, 2002). Featuring the song 'Thanksgiving'.

(2) We are his People: (EMU Music, 2004). Featuring the songs 'Worthy of all praise' and 'Revive us'.

(3) See Him Coming: (EMU Music, 2005). Featuring the songs 'Not by might' and 'Live for the kingdom'.

(4) Let All Creation Sing: (EMU Music, 2006). Featuring the songs 'Out of my distress', 'We cry "Abba"' and 'This is the victory'.

Solo Pop Albums

Small Town Boy (2000)

In 2000, Rob released a solo CD of commercial pop material called, Small Town Boy. The CD was seized upon by the underground Pop community, and has received regular airplay on a number of independent radio stations or pop programmes, in both the USA and Europe. Small Town Boy was also picked up by a number of internet distributors (eg, Not Lame Recordings, Jam Records, PopPlusOne & Kool Kat Music), and continues to sell around the globe.

Better World Tomorrow (2004)

In 2003, Rob finished a second solo album, Better World Tomorrow, which has been released by Japanese label, Wizzard in Vinyl. The new album is already receiving a good deal of airplay and has attracted a number of glowing reviews. In September, 2004, Rob also gave a promotional performance in Tokyo, to follow up on the albums success. Better World Tomorrow is also due to be released in Australia by Big Radio Records in December, 2004.

To infinity and beyond!

Rob is currently working on a third Pop album, as well as a solo album of Christian music. There is also more Christian Congregational music in the pipe-line. In addition to all this, The Innocents are planning to tour Japan in 2005, to coincide with the release of their new album.

Musical Influences

Rob's musical influences are many and varied - old and new. But a top-ten would have to include:

The Beatles
The Beach Boys
Cliff Richard
The Rubinoos
The Raspberries
Elton John
Billy Joel
Crowded House
Michael Card
Del Amitri

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		Who is Rob Smith?

		Rob is a talented musician whose experience as singer/songwriter in power/pop bands and producer of his own range of contemporary christian music, spans over 25 years. • Born 10 May, 1964 in Cambridge, England • Lives in Sydney, Australia • Married to Claire (since December, 1988) • Father to Nathanael (born, 1990) • Singer, song-writer, producer, session musician • Lecturer at Sydney Missionary & Bible College, 2002 - • Assistant to Director, Ministry Training & Development, Anglican Diocese of Sydney, 2005 -
		ROB'S MUSICAL JOURNEY Getting Started Rob grew up surrounded by music - learning the piano at age 6, drums at age 8 and guitar at age 9. None of the lessons lasted very long (eg, only 6 lessons on guitar), but they were enough to get him started and into music. By age 11 he was writing songs and experimenting with recording equipment. The Affections Early in high school, Rob formed a band which - after several name and line-up changes - eventually called itself 'The Affections'. In 1979 (when Rob was 15), The Affections became national finalists in the Hoadley's 'Battle of the Bands Competition'. As a result of the exposure and recognition which the band achieved through the competition, in 1980 they signed with Michael Browning's fledgling label, Deluxe Records - an arm of RCA. The Affections spent the next 2 years rehearsing, performing, touring, writing and recording and by 1982 had become a popular live band on Sydney's musical landscape. Whilst having several albums worth of original material (mostly written by Rob), they released only one single in 1982 - A: This is Love (R. Smith)/B: Little by Little (R. Smith), produced by Jim Manzie of Ol' 55 fame. A combination of mishaps and disappointments led to the demise of the band in early 1983. The Innocents Within days of The Affections collapse, Rob was invited to join forces with the (originally) Tasmanian, power-pop band, The Innocents (formerly, Beathoven); best known for their 1980 hit, 'Sooner or Later'. Rob had already had a brief spell playing with The Innocents back in 1980 and had remained close friends with the members of the band. The Innocents spent 1983 writing, recording and touring in Tasmania, before returning to Sydney in 1984 to try and pick up where they left off. Success, however, proved more elusive this time. The Innocents continued touring and writing until 1986 when finally they all decided it was about time to try other things. But this was not the end! In 2000, The Innocents were invited to re-form and feature at the International Pop Overthrow festival in Los Angeles. Out of this venture came the ZIP Records Anthology of The Innocents, No Hit Wonders from Down Under, performances at The Lost Weekend festivals in Sydney (2002 & 2003) and appearances on the ABC's 7.30 Report (2000) and Good Morning Australia (2002). The Innocents have since released a new album - Pop Factory (2005) and toured in the UK, Europe and Japan.
		Christian music The biggest change in Rob's life took place at the end of 1983 when he became a follower of Jesus Christ. Since then, Rob has been heavily involved in the production of Christian Music. He has written music for both Christian radio and Christian television, and has produced a number of albums for a variety of Christian artists. In addition to this, Rob has written (either in whole or in part) and produced 6 albums of Christian congregational/educational material. These are: Isn't it good: Group Media Productions (CEO, 1986). A children's album written for Primary School Christian education. Our God Reigns: Bethlehem (Windwood Productions, 1988). An album of contemporary Christian congregational songs. Behold Your King: Bethlehem (Windwood Productions, 1992). An album of contemporary Christian congregational songs. Christ for Us: Bethlehem (Windwood Productions, 1995). An album of contemporary Christian congregational songs. Come to the Waters: Bethlehem (Windwood Productions, 1998). An album of contemporary Christian congregational songs. No Other Name: Rob Smith & Nicky Chiswell (EMU Music, 2001). An album of contemporary Christian congregational songs. Rob has also contributed songs to a number of EMU Music releases: (1) You Alone: Bethlehem (EMU Music, 2002). Featuring the song 'Thanksgiving'. (2) We are his People: (EMU Music, 2004). Featuring the songs 'Worthy of all praise' and 'Revive us'. (3) See Him Coming: (EMU Music, 2005). Featuring the songs 'Not by might' and 'Live for the kingdom'. (4) Let All Creation Sing: (EMU Music, 2006). Featuring the songs 'Out of my distress', 'We cry "Abba"' and 'This is the victory'. Solo Pop Albums Small Town Boy (2000) In 2000, Rob released a solo CD of commercial pop material called, Small Town Boy. The CD was seized upon by the underground Pop community, and has received regular airplay on a number of independent radio stations or pop programmes, in both the USA and Europe. Small Town Boy was also picked up by a number of internet distributors (eg, Not Lame Recordings, Jam Records, PopPlusOne & Kool Kat Music), and continues to sell around the globe. Better World Tomorrow (2004) In 2003, Rob finished a second solo album, Better World Tomorrow, which has been released by Japanese label, Wizzard in Vinyl. The new album is already receiving a good deal of airplay and has attracted a number of glowing reviews. In September, 2004, Rob also gave a promotional performance in Tokyo, to follow up on the albums success. Better World Tomorrow is also due to be released in Australia by Big Radio Records in December, 2004. To infinity and beyond! Rob is currently working on a third Pop album, as well as a solo album of Christian music. There is also more Christian Congregational music in the pipe-line. In addition to all this, The Innocents are planning to tour Japan in 2005, to coincide with the release of their new album. Musical Influences Rob's musical influences are many and varied - old and new. But a top-ten would have to include: The Beatles The Beach Boys Cliff Richard The Rubinoos The Raspberries Elton John Billy Joel Crowded House Michael Card Del Amitri Home