Out Of The Shadows by Robert Valdes

Robert found playing guitar quite satisfying. He would play guitar for eight hours a day, until the skin on his fingers would fall off. But it wasn't before long, that Robert ran into a problem. "As a guitar player, I found it increasingly necessary for me to sing, as I couldn't find any singers at my school. At first, I would sing just to fill in the gap, I had a terrible voice. But eventually, my voice started getting good, so I said, ok, I'll be a singer too!" So it was by necessity that Robert became a singer.

As the years passed, Robert played in several bands. Most notably, Enforcer, who in the mid to late 80's tore up the regional club circuit with such favorites as "The Draft" and "Cheater". In the early 90's as the musical landscape began to change, Robert re-assessed his position in the music industry. "I realized that making a living as a working musician was going to be very tough. Especially if I wanted to sustain a long term career. It was about this time that I became interested in recording and producing other acts".

But it was something else all together that Robert became interested in....The world of Video Production and Photography. "Video Production turned my entire world upside down", says Robert. "Here I was, a working musician for the better part of my life. I never thought about anything other than performing and recording my music, and I had finally put together my home studio. But now I have this video thing going, and it was all that I could think about".

Robert started his Production company at this time, RV Productions. Originally, it was supposed to be for Recording, Video and Photography. But the Video production side of the business quickly began to take over. "I was at the right place at the right time with the video." Just as the digital video revolution was beginning, Robert positioned his company as the leader in digital video production, web video streaming and DVD production. Robert equally loved photography, but states that because of his strength in video editing, the video was closer to his heart. "I love editing music videos. I believe that it is my early experience as a drummer, that enable me to tap into the pocket of any rhythm, whether it is music, or someone speaking, and that gives me the edge as an editor. The bottom line for me is that the experience I gained performing, writing and producing music is what enabled me to make my company what it is today, that's what gave me the foundation with which I could build on".

As RV Video grew, Robert found less and less time to devote to his music. "I always practiced and kept my chops up and even managed to find the time to co-write, record and produce "Straight Thru Your Heart' with a band I joined called Regime, but even that was more of a part time situation...It took us a long time to get the album done and then touring was cutting into my work schedule, so we finally disbanded.

In 2001 Robert produced a music based television show for the WB network. This production motivated Robert even more to get back to his music. "Most of the artists in the show were only mediocre talents. But the fact that they were dedicating themselves, and getting out there and doing it....it just made me more motivated to get my music going again".

Today, with RV Video very much self contained, Robert doesn't have to be worried about the day to day operations of the company. "I can concentrate on my music, and get company updates whoever I need them. This affords me the opportunity to spend time with my family, and to create my music. "

"Music has been the inspiration for everything I do in my life. Whether it is spending time with my wife, or producing a music video, or shooting Fashion Photography, I thank God for the gift of music that has been instilled within me".

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