Talent can be found in places spanning from across the world. At random, they just appear like a plane blinking across the night sky. If you are lucky enough to recognize you have said talent, the earlier the better, which is precisely what happened to musician Bobby Sexton. I was fortunate enough to get to meet Bobby and his lovely wife, Liz, while at the Lawyer’s Philharmonic show at Royce Hall on UCLA’s campus. Before I get to why you should know who Bobby Sexton is first, let’s talk about where he got started.
Bobby was raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was fortunate enough to have parents who encouraged and empowered him to follow his dreams. There were myriad talented musicians in Bobby’s community who personally supported him in continuing his education and musical development. Bobby got the opportunity to sing at an incredibly early age when his older cousin, Dolly, was entering the convent. In celebration of this family event, Bobby performed by singing his first song in the church at the age of five. It was Bobby’s parents that introduced him to his first memories of music with their love and joy for the art. Bobby’s father even played the accordion and his grandfather played the violin. With generations of love for music, it is obvious to an outsider that Bobby’s path was destined for this creative endeavor.
Bobby’s first gig was booked when he was in the first grade after he joined the St. Patrick’s church choir. The proverbial apple didn’t fall far from the tree when Bobby began playing both the accordion and organ when he was eight. He also performed in his first rock band and appeared on his first live television show at eight years old. By the age of 10, Bobby had won the city competition by playing live and singing as a solo artist. Bobby even was performing live at the Cedar Rapids Veterans Memorial Building in a pop-rock band that same year. Later, Bobby won a state competition for best instrumentalist by 13 years old. Additionally, at the age of 13, Bobby was invited to join a professional nightclub band, Louie Carr and the Highlanders. Talk about a boy genius, Bobby started playing three nights per week, performing in nightclubs throughout high school. Bobby recollects the time by seeing the familiar faces in the crowds. “My junior high school principal, along with various teachers, would stop by and see me play. It was pretty cool.” Pretty cool accomplishments for an adolescent of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The next pivotal influence in Bobby’s life was when he started studying classical piano at the University of Iowa, in addition to working on his guitar skills. There he met the great Jazz Icon, Herbie Hancock. After attending one of Hancock’s concerts, the next day Bobby attended his master clinic. Herbie lectured on the benefits of chanting “Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo”, a meditative, mind observing practice. It is a practice you do for yourself which focuses on your absolute happiness, becoming the best possible ‘you that could ever be. Its basis is the ‘Law of Cause and Effect’, to eradicate or remove the suffering, negativity and doubt people experience in their lives. It is the same practice that Tina Turner attributes to turning her life around. Her movie “What’s Love Got to Do with It” documents how she was introduced to this practice and the benefits or ‘Actual Proof ’ she achieved as a result.
The second part of the practice is to share it with others. The whole goal of the organization, SGI-USA, also located in 192 countries worldwide, is attaining ‘World Peace’. Bobby still practices this philosophy today. He prays and chants “Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo” daily and offers prayers with great confidence that ‘No prayer goes unanswered. It is the confidence Bobby holds that is activated in direct proportion to the strength of his faith and practice. “Strong faith is like high voltage; it illuminates a brilliant light in our lives. Life shrinks or expands in direct proportion to our courage. My strong faith leads me to overcome all obstacles and adversities.” Bobby utilizes it to elevate his life and his music. This has become an essential part of his daily routine and how he copes with any misfortunes that come along his way.
After relocating to California, Sexton led his own bands playing guitar, keyboards, and singing lead vocals. He played over 250 to 300 shows a year playing all over California, Arizona, Las Vegas, and surrounding states. While playing at a top nightclub in Los Angeles, he was approached by a record producer saying he had the best band in Los Angeles he had seen. This led to Sexton getting signed to his 1st recording contract including completing four United States tours.
Some of the most influential people helped shape Bobby’s journey he met when attending USC. He was fortunate enough to study under Shelly Berg, who is one of the greatest American pianists. He also had the fortune to study with guitarists Richard Smith and Steve Trovato. With a list of experience longer than most at such an age it is expected that Bobby would have many more to date. Among his favorite achievements as an artist include, his first recording contract with a record company, playing as a session musician on several famous artists’ CD’s, along with touring with famous acts such as Savoy Brown, Three Dog Night, Flock of Seagulls, and performing on tour with Michael Jackson. He also earned both a full undergraduate and graduate scholarship in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California just to name the highlights!
When I asked Bobby how he managed to get so much accomplished and what advice he can give to those of us who are trying to get started he suggests, “If being a musician is your passion, find the best teacher you can! You must practice daily and consistently to progress, achieve, and master your goals. If you invest the time, you will be amazed at what you will accomplish. There is no silver bullet, no other way. Persistence is the name of the game!” When Bobby’s musical journey began, he was practicing a half-hour per day and eventually built up to two hours of practice daily. By the time he was 12 years old, he was practicing four hours per day. That explains the invitation to perform at adult venues. As Bobby progressed, he set clear and detailed goals for what he wanted to achieve. It was in this way, he became a more serious and focused artist and the same goes for his work. His word to the wise, “Our day-to-day growth may not be self-apparent, however, over time, you will develop a towering and indestructible state of happiness with your art and how you express it.”
And the hardships have stayed at bay while Bobby is currently working on his next Blues/Rock CD and Jazz compositions at his home studio. These compositions are available for purchase on his website, BOBBYSEXTONENTERTAINMENT.com so please do check them out if you are looking for something to introduce into your life. As for what is next, Bobby still believes in creating peace through his music. When asked if he was then in fact ‘living the dream’ he says, “Absolutely. My music is not of the realm of logic or intellect, instead, it transcends these. Living my dream is an act to which I give an expression of my feelings from the depths of my being. These powerful feelings yearn for their fulfillment through the passion and resonance of my music.” It was after the meeting Bobby, seeing his resolve, that I finally saw the power our minds have, and unlocking that potential entirely rests on your own shoulders if you simply have the resolve to attempt it.