- Justin McRoberts
Infobox musical artist
Name = Justin McRoberts
Background = solo_singer
Born = January 1, 1974
Origin =Oakland, CA
Genre =Singer-Songwriter
Contemporary Christian
Occupation =Singer ,songwriter
Years_active = 1998-present
Label = Independent
Previously5 Minute Walk
URL = [http://www.justinmcroberts.com JustinMcRoberts.com]Justin McRoberts (born January 1, 1974 in
Oakland, California ) is an independent singer-songwriter from theSan Francisco Bay area . McRoberts released two albums with5 Minute Walk before the label disbanded in 2001. Since then he has independently released four studio albums, a live album, and threeEP 's. He tours year round.McRoberts, Justin. [http://www.justinmcroberts.com/Bio06.pdf "Justin McRoberts - Biography"] (PDF ). [http://www.justinmcroberts.com/ JustinMcRoberts.com.] Retrieved 2006-11-15.]Biography
Early career
After his decision to follow Jesus in 1992, Justin spent three and a half years on staff with
Young Life . He began recording with 5 Minute Walk in 1998, releasing "Reason for Living" (1999), written primarily about his experiences with Young Life. The following year, he released "Father" (2000) which deals with the darkness surrounding the 1998 suicide of his father.cite journal |last=Riddle |first=Melissa |year=2000 |month=October |title=Reviews / "Father" |journal=CCM Magazine |id=ISSN|1524-7848 |volume=23 |issue=4 |pages=84 ]During this time, McRoberts toured nationally with artists such as
Five Iron Frenzy ,The W's ,Caedmon's Call ,Jennifer Knapp , and others, and made appearances at theCornerstone Festival .Herman, Michael (2003-06). [http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2003/justinmcroberts-0603.html "Independence and Dependence."] [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ Christianity Today.] Retrieved 2006-11-26.] cite journal |last=Mackle |first=David |year=1999 |month=December |title=In Concert: Five Iron / The W's / The Insyderz / Justin McRoberts, The Crush, Birmingham, Alabama |journal=CCM Magazine |id=ISSN|1524-7848 |volume=22 |issue=6 |pages=61 ] Since leaving 5 Minute Walk in 2000 McRoberts has continued to produce records independently. According to McRoberts, the manner in which his label had supported his work, primarily through heavy touring, set him up to continue his career as an independent artist after the collapse of the label. Through his work he has continued to support and promote community outreach programs such as Young life.cite news |first=John |last=Sinkevics |title=Reaching out |publisher=The Grand Rapids Press |page=9 |date=2001-03-09]Independent albums
In 2001, McRoberts released his first independent work, "The Untitled EP" (2001), a collection of devotional songs. McRoberts purposely left the recording nearly entirely unedited, writing that, "The simplicity of the recording is intended to highlight the human side of faith, wherein life is not often refined." It is perhaps this stripped-down approach to music that he is best known for.cite book |last=Powell |first=Mark Allan |title=Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music |year=2002 |publisher=Hendrickson Publishers |location=Peabody,
Massachusetts |isbn=1-56563-679-1 |edition=First printing |pages=581] In concert, he often appears on stage with only his guitar and no backup support.His next work, "Trust" (2002) was the first full length album he had released as an independent artist. Aimed primarily at the non-church going crowd, the album touches on the stories of those disenchanted with American Christianity. McRoberts says, "My hope is to inspire believers to understand those who do not recognize God in their world."
Next came "Intersections" (2003), dealing with the opportunities that intersections in life provide for change. McRoberts says, "Much of the album's content deals with renewing the way I see the world around me; learning to recognize the eternal value in every moment, every relationship, every song, trying to cut through the utilitarian perspective I am so used to bringing to my everyday." McRoberts released "Live At Grove City" (2004) the following year.
In October 2005, McRoberts released "Grace Must Wound". The album deals primarily with the desire for life to be easy, focusing on the
Flannery O'Connor quote and title of the album, "Grace Must Wound", telling us that pain is essential to a Christian's spiritual journey.Breimeier, Russ (2005). " [http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2005/gracemustwound.html "Grace Must Wound."] " [http://www.christianitytoday.com Christianity Today.] Retrieved 2007-01-03.]McRoberts is slated to release his next full-length release, entitled "Deconstruction" Spring '08.
Discography
* 1999: "Reason For Living"
* 2000: "Father"
* 2001: "Untitled EP"
* 2002: "Trust"
* 2003: "Intersections"
* 2004: "Live From Grove City"
* 2005: "Grace Must Wound..."
* 2006: "Christmas Songs EP"
* 2007: "Amazing Grace EP"
* 2008: "Deconstruction"McRoberts is also credited vith various parts on other's albums, notably including
Five Iron Frenzy 's "All the Hype That Money Can Buy ", "", "The End Is Near ", and "The End Is Here ",Brave Saint Saturn 's "The Light of Things Hoped For ", and Roper's "Brace Yourself for the Mediocre ".Notes and References
External links
* [http://www.justinmcroberts.com/ Official Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/jmcroberts Justin McRoberts @ Myspace]
* [http://www.purevolume.com/justinmcroberts Justin McRoberts @ Pure Volume]
* [http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/interviews/JustinMcRoberts.asp 2000 Interview] at "Jesus Freak Hideout "
* [http://www.tollbooth.org/2000/features/mcroberts.html 2000 Interview @ The Phantom Tollbooth]
* [http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2003/justinmcroberts-0603.html 2003 Interview]
* [http://lyrics.crossmap.com/artist/mcroberts-justin.htm Biography] circa 2002
* [http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/justinmcroberts.html Biography] circa 2004Persondata
NAME=McRoberts, Justin
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Singer ,songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH=January 1 ,1974
PLACE OF BIRTH=Oakland, California
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=
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