Meet Scott Robb | Songwriter/Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Scott Robb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scott, how do you think about risk?
As a firefighter I was subjected to a lot of physical and mental risk due to the nature of the profession. Yet I’ve found leaping into the unknown and potential instability of a career in music has been far more challenging than running into a burning building. A common adage we use in the fire service is “we risk a lot to save a lot”, which doesn’t translate when leaping from job stability in a profession you’ve known to all sorts of job uncertainty. Look how the entire live music industry collapsed during the pandemic. What am I saving? There are so many things that can go wrong that are out of your control as an entrepreneur. Perhaps this risk in order to “save a lot” is my spirit, and trying to help people in a different way that feels like it aligns with my purpose.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started performing in local bars around Tucson since before I could drink at them. I played in some great bands with amazing people, but stuck around Tucson because I had a daughter pretty early and needed a “real” job. So I joined the fire service and kept playing and writing music. I was fortunate enough to play in some amazing venues like Stubbs BBQ House in Austin, The White Horse in Nashville and locally at the AVA Amphitheater. I wrote for several genres and won some advertisement awards for directing and writing music for some great public service announcements.

After struggling with the mental challenges of my life and fire service career, I got sober and wrote an album for myself. Right before launching it, COVID shut everything down. As things slowly opened back up, I was drawn to the church and continued service on the Worship Arts team while continuing to write.

What makes me unique is my ability to connect with others who are struggling. I’m somebody who has been in the deepest, darkest holes and found a way out through service to others. Writing songs that connect helps me impact others in a more proactive way, rather than responding to emergencies after the damage has already been done. I’ve been exposed to so much pain and suffering in the world that I want to serve as a light for others. I don’t do music for myself, or for notoriety, I do it to serve.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh man, when people come in from out of town, I have to take them to Pinnacle Peak to embrace all the fun stereotypes of the Wild West. We catch a live show by the Pisteleros stunt group and take pictures with them after. We have to spend a day at Mt. Lemmon, we have to hit Sabino Canyon and if there’s time we have to go rent some ATVs and cruise all over Peppersauce Canyon.

Rialto and Club Congress are of course great places to catch some live music, and Guero Canelos can’t be beat for regional food.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife Angela has always been a believer in my musical talent, even during all the times I didn’t believe in it.

Golder Ranch Fire District has given me a blank canvas to create public service announcements, school programs and write songs for kids that has given me a consistent platform while in the fire service.

Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene was instrumental in rekindling my passion for music as giving me the courage to leap. After being accepted onto the Worship Arts team, I’ve played in around 50 services this year and it has strengthened both my musical ability and connection to purpose in the process.

Website: www.scottrobbmusic.com