Music, once just an excuse to skip middle school health class, became a passion, obsession and, most recently, another career for University electrician Ronald Robinson. “I’m excited,” Robinson said. “All my life I’ve been trying to get to that national level.”Robinson, who has worked at the University for three years, signed a one-year recording contract with Tate Music Group in February. His first album, entitled “I Raise My Hands,” hits store shelves and iTunes on Sept. 15. “I Raise My Hands” is a gospel album featuring 12 tracks written, composed and sung by Robinson. He also played every instrument — lead guitar, bass guitar, piano and drums — on every song except “Rain Down,” on which fellow musician Jay Norman lent a hand on the drums.Robinson grew up playing music in church and is now the Minister of Music for both the Israelite Baptist Church and the Greater Mt. Gideon Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. He started playing guitar in his father’s gospel group when he was just 7 years old. When faced with having to choose between health class or band class in junior high school, Robinson picked the least boring option for him — music. The least boring soon became the most exciting as he learned to play the trombone, saxophone, trumpet and tuba throughout his middle school and high school years in Covington. “That’s basically how I learned to play music,” Robinson said. Although he was offered a full scholarship to the University for his tuba playing, Robinson had to work instead.After five years in the construction business with his uncle, Robinson started playing music for his church. Inspired by contemporary Christian artists like Michael W. Smith and Keith Green, Robinson began writing his own music as well. He tried recording his material at several studios, but was never satisfied with the results. That’s when Robinson took matters into his own hands by building his own recording studio in his backyard — appropriately dubbed Outback Studios. Robinson contacted Tate Music Group about selling some of his gospel songs in January, sending the Oklahoma-based publishing company a few of his recordings. He never thought he’d be asked to be the voice of his own work.”It just blew me away,” Robinson said about hearing the good news spill from his answering machine after returning from an anniversary celebration with his wife Tizi. From there, Robinson began recording and mixing songs for “I Raise My Hands.” Tate allowed Robinson to record in his studio instead of its own, an opportunity Robinson is still grateful for. He said it allowed him to have nearly total control of the project. Robinson said he wants his album to be a source of encouragement for listeners. “One thing I’ve learned, I don’t care how close we are to Christ, we’re still going to have trials,” he said. “But it’s important how we come out on the other side of those.””I Raise My Hands” is laced with descriptions of Robinson’s struggles, tales from his past and the gospel. One of his favorite songs on the album, “Holding On,” was written at a time when relationships with friends turned sour. “Your friends are going to turn their backs and sometimes your family can’t help you, but the only one you can truly hold onto is the Lord,” Robinson said. Another song, “Think About the Bridge,” describes Robinson’s history and growth. “It just talks about my upbringing and where I came from and always remembering the people that prayed for me when I was doing whatever I thought I was big and bad enough to do,” Robinson said. “You know, Mama was still home praying for me.” After his album’s release in September, Robinson will go on tour, playing 12 gigs at churches across the country. His album is available for purchase now at tatemusicgroup.com. —-Contact Kyle Bove at [email protected]