Music Is My Therapy And Something Tells Me It’s Yours Too.
I’ve been working at the WRAT for almost 26 years as the station’s Music Director, Assistant Program Director, and full-time Midday personality. I love all of these responsibilities, but I absolutely have a favorite. I’ll bet you can guess which one.
If you said being on the air during the Midday, you would be correct. The five hours I spend on air every weekday is like therapy for me, and it’s free. The air studio is MY sanctuary, it’s the room I spend the most time in. I get to play music I’m passionate about and I get to communicate with you on the radio, the request line, and on social media.
Throughout my entire radio career, I have been an entertainer, an educator, an interviewer, a counselor, a soft pillow to land on, a music encyclopedia, and most importantly, a friend to those who choose to tune in.
I get to talk about the artists we play, where they’re going to play live in our area, what’s going on in their lives outside of music, and the music they write.
I like talking about songs that make you feel good and make you forget about your problems for a few minutes. I talk about songs that make you want to drive fast, songs that take you to places you’d rather be…etc.
I especially like talking about songs that connect deeply, right to your heart and soul. Songwriters who share their most personal experiences and deliver messages of hope and salvation are the ones that truly resonate with me.
Songwriters like Jacoby Shaddix from Papa Roach, Brent Smith from Shinedown, Ivan Moody from Five Finger Death Punch, and newer artists like Ayron Jones, and Jellyroll write some really deep personal stuff.
I find when some of these songwriters write about their darkest moments, there’s almost always a glimmer of light peeking through by the song’s conclusion. The message is clear, there is almost always a way out. Whether it’s by divine intervention or human inspiration there is light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
These songwriters have gone through some painful situations and found their way out of the darkness and into the light. These songs I speak of are supposed to give the listener hope as they experience their own dark moments.
Drug addiction, homelessness, loneliness, mental illness, loss, sickness, and many other hardships seem to be the impetus for some really amazing music. Some of the greatest songs ever written came from very painful places.
I have had countless personal conversations with listeners over the years about the curve balls life throws you. Some are derived from making bad choices, and some seem to appear out of thin air, you know, the things you can’t control.
When a member of the RAT listening family calls to talk about a song I just played that touched them in some way, the conversation usually goes deep and sometimes I share bits and pieces of the conversation on the air hoping that it will help someone who is going through something they think is impossible to escape.
Hope, I want to convey hope. I want you to know I am listening. I want you to know someone cares and you can call anytime you need an ear. I’m not a professional therapist, but neither is your friendly neighborhood bartender and we all know they listen to people’s woes all day. Humans just need someone to listen!
I listen! I may not be able to give you any advice, but I will always lend an ear and a few sincere kind words. Over the years you’ve listened to me share some of my sorrows and you have become a lifeline for me.
Papa Roach front man, Jacoby Shaddix wrote a song called “Lifeline” back in 2009 and that spoke to me because the lyrics conveyed to me that it’s ok to ask for help, that’s how I interpreted it. The thing about songs is, once they’re released into the world, they become ours. No matter what the song is really about, we can interpret it any way we want. In an interview several years ago, Jacoby said that, “Lifeline” was actually inspired by the poor economy. He said, “It’s about the struggles that everyone was going through like with the economy and everyone losing their jobs. There were a lot of homeless people in the area that we’re from, and we were touching on that.” The song is as relevant today as it was in 2009.
My name is Robyn and I love doing what I do, and I love having you along for the ride. Music has literally saved my life. Like Brent Smith sings in the Shinedown song, “Daylight,”
You saved my life, not once but twice
You keep me free from falling
You saved my life, make it all alright
When I don’t feel like talking
You make sure I always see the daylight
