Interview with Deon Robertson: Getting to Know Him as "More than a Friend"

By Timothy Yap Oct 14, 2015 07:31 AM EDT

Gospel singer and songwriter Deon Robertson realizes he is in charge of his own destiny. Working fervently to develop his musical career over the past ten years, he is a vocalist who can flawlessly maneuver several octaves while tickling the ears and souls of his captivated listeners and audience. Deon is a confident and vibrant performer who has released several indie singles and two EP's, and is now releasing a very special new single "More Than A Friend" on iTunes October 1.

Hallels: Thanks Deon for doing this interview with us. Tell us a little about yourself and how you felt God's call to sing for Him?

Growing up all I knew was music and singing. I grew up in a singing family, my grandmother was a pianist in church and sang in a quartet group and they sang all over the country for over 25 years. My mother and aunt traveled and sang for many years as well. They toured with the Blind Boys, The Williams Brothers. Etc. So it was the trickle down effect, my grandmother would sit at the piano sometimes and we would just go for it. I feel there is a call for me for encouragement through song and when God gives you a gift, He also gives you passion with that gift. When you become saved you innately want to give your best to Him and use it to encourage people.

Hallels: On your bio, I have read that you are very close to your late grandmother. How did she inspire you?

My grandmother was a amazing and fun lady. My mother had me in her teenage years so I spent a lot of time with my grandmother. When she became ill with cancer in 2006 her children and grandchildren took it very hard but not her. She still played and sang and just kept going, never complaining even until the very end in 2014. She just never gave up - she was a trooper. It showed me how much faith and trust she had in God. She knew that even if God didn't heal her, He was still able to, and she just didn't worry because it is His will. That gave me some extra push even though she was in the last days of her life and she knew it. Showed me how to trust God, not because of, but in spite of. Since God is in control why worry, he's a God that never sleeps so that means we can rest.

Hallels: Your brand new single "More than a Friend," I believe, is about her, tell us more about this new single of yours.

The single isn't actually about her, it is about Gods ability to be more than a friend. My grandmother was my best friend so God showed me that He could be a best friend, a heart mender, a mind regulator even more so.

Through my grandmothers passing God showed himself to me in ways I never had seen before because I had to depend on Him. So, the song isn't about my grandmother directly, but it's how I developed a deeper relationship with God and his ability to be way more than we let him.

Hallels: I believe you are currently working on your new album "Simply Deon." Who are you working with for this new album?

I am super exited about this new project!!! I have the amazing opportunity to work with Stellar Award winner Derek Clark, dude is crazy talented. I feel like teaming up with him will be fire!

Hallels: How would you describe the sound of this new album? And when will it be released?

This project is going to comprise all of who I am, Deon Robertson, through exploring all sides of my musical influences from 50s musical styles to the contemporary styles of today. My spiritual self has grown tremendously so that is contributing a huge impact to pushing to new levels in creating the 'Deon Robertson' sound.

Hallels: Reading the bio on your website I noticed that you have sang commercials before, which ones have you done?

I was an anti-smoking campaign model for a while, so I did a few commercials for them, I remember the first time I saw it aired I was at the movies and it came on during the previews of X-Men, lol that was awesome. There was TV show called "Clash of the Choirs" that I was on and I did a couple of commercials on MTV.