Tara Robinson

CEO/Editor-in-Chief

When and where were you born?

I was born on 5 Sept in Alexander City, AL but I grew up in Montgomery, AL

In 1991, I see that you were married .What attracted you most to your husband?

Dang I’ve never been asked that question before during an interview. I see you go straight to the hard questions. But yes I met my husband when I was 18 and we took our vows about four months later. What attracted me most to him was the way he treated me. Open the door for me, etc., those little things that a lot of men take for granted in a women. He showed me a lot of respect and attention, and whenever I did little things for him he was grateful for it. And did I forget to say that he was one tall, sexy a#% man.  After we met and started dating I don’t think it was one day that we wasn’t together, or he wasn’t calling me or me calling him. It was a spark there from the start and we knew it was something special between us. When we found out I was pregnant it was a shock to the both of us. We had to make some difficult decisions because at the time being a single parent was not the step that I wanted to take again. We both needed a breather and time to think. I’m embarrassed to say this but I needed time to think on if I was going to terminate or keep this baby. At the time he had to leave to conduct some military training for a few weeks. I felt this happen at a good time because it would give us the space apart that was needed for us to think things through. When he came back from his military training to my shock he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, he said being away from me those weeks all he could do was think about us, and our baby that was growing inside me. He went on to tell me how much he loved me and this baby, and wanted us to be a family. The strange thing about this was while we were talking Jodeci “Forever My Lady” song was playing on the radio. This is a song that was special to us then and even now when we hear it, we get so emotional, because it has such deep meaning to the both of us.

Was it hard settling down into married life?

It was at first, you have to understand that we was young when we was married, we had a lot of obstacles against us. We had the baby momma drama coming at us full force and even more after she found out that we were married. It’s funny now but at the time this was a serious headache. One thing I can say is that when it comes to baby mommas we had one that loved using the child for her own personal gain basically to cause confusion, and just had pure jealousy because of the fact the man chose to be with someone other than her. And on the flip side of things we also had the baby momma that was the complete opposite, and more mature about the situation. There was a lot going on and it seemed the drama was coming from all directions. Yes it caused us to argue and early on have a degree of difficulty in our relationship. But at the same time it was bringing us closer together. Throughout the years things begin to become so much clearer and clearer to us, and we became wiser and wiser, and we worked harder and harder to keep our marriage intacted.

How are you able to juggle being a mother, wife, soldier, and President of your own companies?

It’s hard because all of these are full-time jobs…First of all God, my marriage and kids will always come first. And when it comes to my business, there have been many nights that I’ve stayed up until the morning hours making sure that my businesses is where it needs to be. Whenever I have a vision and a goal, I do whatever is necessary to achieve success with it. It takes a lot of hard work on my part but at the same time I know that nothing comes easy. I try to make sure I’m not neglecting any of the titles I hold. It takes a lot of organization and a lot of multi-tasking. But I do believe that in the long run all the hard work I’m doing will pay off.

In 2009 you wrote and recorded the album: I’m Free Reloaded”, what was your inspiration when recording this album? Tell us a little about this Album.

OMG…that’s my baby right there. I was going through a tough time in my life. You have to understand this question is somewhat on a personal side to me, because to answer it truthfully, I have to allow you into a part of my life that very few is aware of. But at the same time I have to be honest. So here goes..At the time I was still dealing with a very traumatic event that happened, that turned my life upside down.  I was in a very dark place. A suggestion was for me to have a diary and write down my feelings. And this was something that I started doing.I started looking back at my life, and did a lot of soul searching. Later I decided to write a song and I titled the songs I’m Free and I’m Free (Remix).When I went in the studio and recorded them, it was my way of crying, screaming and releasing a lot of built up hurt, pain, and anger. But at the same time I was freeing myself from all of that, and moving past all of it. This album tells a story. And a story that I believe a lot of people can connect with. It dealt with love, pain, and life. But at the same time on this Album I wrote the song L-O-V-E, Yours Forever, & Running Back To You. It was something that I wrote and dedicated to my husband. Because through all that I was going through, he was there for me, he didn’t judge me, and through it all he help pull me out those dark days that I was going through. With music I realized that I had a way to express my feelings and in return maybe my songs could help someone else that may have been going through what I had to endure. Me doing this has helped me through a lot of tough times. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to play your own CD and it’s something that even on those bad days make you feel a little bit better. That’s how “I’m Free Reloaded” came about.

Do you write your own songs?

Oh yes. I write all my songs. I think that is what makes it more personal.

Is there any particular song from the Album that is your favorite? Least favorite?

Like I said before I’m Free Reloaded was my baby, this was my first Album and even now I can sit and listen to it all day, and when I have those bad days I listen to it, because it helps me through still. I love all the songs.

I see that you’re in the military, what has this experience been like? What inspired you to enlist?

The military was always something that I wanted to do. My uncles served and serve and also my husband is also military. I wanted to wait until my kids were a little older before I enlisted. One day I realized that I wasn’t getting any younger and I told my husband that I thought it was time for me to enlist. So in 2001 I went and enlisted in the U.S. Army. I was in BCT (Basic Combat Training), when Sept 11^th happen, and I knew then that my decision to join was the right one. My experience has been great over all. The military has taught me a lot of things. I think that is where alot of this tanacity in me come from.

Has there been anything that has made you a stronger and wiser person throughout your life?

There are too many things to put on paper; we will be here all day with this. I have made a lot of mistakes in my life, I’ve trusted people to much, and I’ve done things that I realized later on that it was stupid. Sometime I would make a mistake and then go and make the same mistake again. I think this is life. But throughout the years I’ve learned to let things go and live my life as best I can. One thing I’ve learned is that you can’t please everyone, so don’t try. Make sure that you’re pleasing yourself and making yourself happy, as long as it is something that will help you and not harm you. A lot of time it’s damned if you do and damned if you don’t. There hasn’t been just one thing that has made me a stronger or wiser person. It has been a lot of things that has made me this way.

Who is your favorite actor/actress?

This is another hard one because I don’t have just one favorite actress or actor. But to name a few, Shemar Moore, and Denzel Washington (of course) and as far as actresses Angelina Jolie is top. I just love watching anything that she is in because she is such a wonderful actress and advocate.

Who is your favorite music Artist?  

I will say my top and most notable is Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, and Shirley Caesar. 

What are some of the things that motivate you?

I look around me and listen to the news and see so much destruction, and despair in the world. The economy is bad right now, and unemployment is at record high, but I know sooner or later I have to leave this world behind and when ever my day comes I want to know that I made a positive impact somehow and in some way. Each day I wake I give thanks to the man above for allowing me to see another day, and then I try to surpass what I did the previous day. I actually sit down and write out my realistic goals and research and see what I need to do to achieve those goals, and then I work on achieving them. Once I achieve those goals, I then set more realistic goals for myself and follow the path at which I need to achieve those. I won’t to be someone that my children, my family, and most of all myself can be proud of. As I said before I want to leave a positive mark in this world.

In March 2011 you released your album titled “Wrapped Up In Your Love”, what was your vision for this Album?

This album was an uplifting album, it also dealt with something that I had been going though in my life, and some things I saw through the eyes of others. At the time I was in studio recording this, my husband received orders to deploy, and during this time I wrote a song that I named “My Soldier Song”. It was heartfelt being in studio singing it, because it went deeper than any of the other songs that I wrote previously for him. He was in an unknown situation, and I was always praying that God would bring him home safely. This album went in a lot of directions, and I tailored it toward many directions. In my first Album and this one, I always wrote it as a story and song it as one.

Is there any song from this Album that you love the most? The least? Tell us a little about this album.

Now my favorites on this Album is “My Soldier Song”  and Reborn…As I said before that My Soldier Song is about my husband, and about how I felt when he was deployed. Reborn deals with some personal things that I was feeling also.  

In 2011 you started Prestige Magazine. What was your vision and inspiration for P- Magazine?

I wrote a short book back in 2008, I received some input from some who read my book that it helped them deal with some of the same issues that they was going through. I started in the music business, writing a book, and other things. I wanted to be a voice for others and that outlet for those that want to get their name and/or business out there but at the same time focusing on today’s issues that affect a lot of us, some in their day to day lives. This magazine is informative and at the same time it’s a positive source that educates, inform, and incite the young and the old.

Is there something that caused you to make a life changing choice?

Yes as I said before that I’ve had to deal with some traumatic events in my life that caused me to do a lot of soul searching. Some situations worse than others, but I’ve been down on my knees at times praying to God to see me through it, I’ve spent some days and nights crying, just emotionally drained. This was affecting my relationship with all those around me, and I felt myself pulling farther and farther away from my support system. I felt that those who were closes to me that knew my situation didn’t and couldn’t understand what I was feeling inside, and so I would shut them out. I was criticized so much so with people saying some of the cruelest things, and never even knowing ME. I had to make changes within my life, I had to make changes within myself. It was a choice that I don’t regret. There’s a quote that I love by J.M. Barrie that says “ The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another, and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it.” The most useless, are those who never change through the years. But the question to ask yourself is how many of us really do plan out lives and set goal and objectives that we hope to achieve?  As I sat and do this interview it takes me back a little because in a way I’m allowing others into a part of my life. And that’s hard for me.

What is something that has inspired you?

On January 20, 2009 a man was sworn into office as the 44th President of The United States. This was a historical day because President Barack Obama was the first African American to hold that office. This was something that none of us ever imagined,  that there would ever be a African American sitting holding the title of President of the United States. This is just one of many situations that have inspired me throughout the years. Even though others may be against you, the odds might be against you. You have to press on because there may be something around the corner that even surpasses the goal or dream that you’ve set in motion.

What sets you aside from all other artists?

I wanted a different sound, a way to make my own mark. When you listen to my Album you hear just that. The songs are more personable. Each one tells a story. Whether it’s about the joy of love, trials of life in general, and also pain. You come away each time knowing what the meaning is, and possibly even relating to it in general.

What has been your biggest challenge as an artist?

I think it’s not being able to promote my music the way I wish, not being able to perform at different venues when I’ve been inviting to. As a lot of people know one of the main hats I hold is serving in the U.S. Army. I get up every day and put this uniform on and serve my country. And by doing this I haven’t been able to fully promote my music the way I should. But no matter what I think things happen for a reason, and my day will come.

What advice can give an upcoming artist who wants to break into the business?

A good friend Adina Howard said something to me that stuck with me because it is so true; she said that as a singer you always have to work to better your craft. And what she meant by that is as a singer you have to always work at becoming a better singer, or whatever it is you do. If it’s singing then that means continuous voice coaching, and learning the music. I think just everything to better yourself as a singer. Another thing is if you’re an artist that writes your own lyrics. I cannot stress it enough to get your lyrics or beat copyrighted before even releasing the song or songs. Get into a good studio and record your music. Once you complete your album always make sure that you get your album mastered. And most of all be prepared to work hard at producing your best. I spent a lot of night up late writing my music, decided what direction I wanted my album and songs to go in. It took a lot of hours in studio, and a lot of planning. It’s not easy. But in life what is.

If you could sing with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Most definitely it would be Patti Labelle and Shirley Caesar. They have always been two artists that I have looked up to as singers.

What did you do before becoming an artist?

I’ve done so much. As I said before, I was serving my country fulltime in the military and I continue to, at the same time I’ve been president of my own company JTR Enterprises.  

If anyone wanted to contact you or book you for an event, how could they go about it?

It depends on what they’re trying to get in contact for:). For Prestige Magazine they can email me at editor@prestigemagazine.net. If it’s for the music side of the house then they can visit my website at www.tararobinsonmusic.net or contact my booking agent Jasmine at jasmine@prestigemagazine.net

Check out the full article in the Fall Issue of Prestige Magazine

Tara Robinson-Wrapped Up In Your Love

Tara Robinson- My Soldier Song

Tara Robinson- L-O-V-E