JESSICA BIBER
Staff Writer
It is not everyday that a lawyer decides to trade filing briefs and arguing his way around a courtroom for writing lyrics and rocking out center stage. But that is exactly what Pepperdine alumnus George Rowe did.
The lawyer-turned-singer graced Firestone Fieldhouse with his smooth voice and soulful Christian pop songs at Convocation on Feb. 21, his insightful lyrics and catchy rhythms ringing out over the crowd of students.
“I thought his music was interesting. I really enjoyed it,” freshman Phillip Muhr said of Rowe’s performance. “I come from a Roman Catholic background and so it was different from what I am used to hearing. But I really liked his music.”
Sophomore Tricia Huntress also liked the bluesy quality Rowe brings to worship music.
“I thought his voice was really soothing,” she said.
It was not too long ago that Rowe was among the many Pepperdine students who trudge their way to Convocation each Wednesday morning.
An East Coaster raised in New Jersey, Rowe attended Northeastern Christian College for part of his undergraduate career, where he sang in a gospel group similar to Pepperdine’s Won By One. He later transferred to Pepperdine, attending on a full-ride scholarship and earning his bachelor’s degree in organizational communication in 1992.
“I came to Pepperdine saying I really need to work hard to keep my grades up,” Rowe said. “A lot of my friends said, ‘Wow, Malibu and Hollywood,’ but I didn’t want to let anything distract me.”
As fate would have it, Rowe eventually found his way back to performing. One night, while walking past talent show auditions, someone offered Rowe a chance to participate. He accepted the opportunity and ended up winning the talent show.
Being onstage gave Rowe widespread exposure, and it was not long before word got out to administration and students about this new singer-songwriter.
At the end of Rowe’s undergraduate career, he applied for admittance to Pepperdine’s Law School, where again he received a full-ride scholarship.
“I was the first in my family to do anything like that,” Rowe said. “It was just too good of an opportunity to pass up.”
After receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1995, Rowe balanced his law and singing career. He worked in tax estate planning by day and sang at youth functions by night. Eventually, this led him to Nashville, where he signed with Michael W. Smith’s label, Rocketown Records.
Rowe released his debut album, “Think About That,” in December of 2003. For the past three years, he has been touring the country.
“I love going to work,” Rowe said. “Writing music, recording, photo shoots…and my favorite part, which is getting to sing. Everyday I think ‘Wow, I am getting paid to do something I love to do. I am getting paid to worship with people.’ I have to pinch myself.”
When he is not working, Rowe likes to spend time with his wife and three kids: Ireland, 8, Addyson, 7, and Jake, 6.
“It’s great to walk through the door and have my kids run up to me and to just be able to play and wrestle with them as my wife stands by and smiles,” Rowe said.
Rowe said his family played a big part in his decision to pursue a music career, and he attributes much of his faith in his abilities to his wife.
“I have never really had confidence in my ability,” Rowe said. “But fortunately, lots of people whose opinions I value have [had faith in me].”
The biggest challenge Rowe encounters is finding the balance in his music career between business and ministry.
“I am not sure whether they are
supposed to be separate or mixed,” Rowe said. “As much as I want to encourage people, the fact is I have to sell CDs. And that clouds motives and incentives. So as much as I can, I am constantly trying to separate the two.”
For the time being, Rowe plans to focus on music instead of law.
“What I have realized is that right now, choosing to not perform would be a faith issue,” Rowe said. “I could have all the material success I want with my law degree, so it’s about trusting God while I go for this.”
Junior Maggie Cahill heard Rowe speak at convocation and said she admires Rowe’s tenacity to chase his dream.
“I liked how he was in law school and he was going down that path, but he had the courage to go off the path and follow his dreams and do what he wanted to do,” Cahill said. “I thought that was admirable.”
As far as the future is concerned, Rowe hopes to stay faithful to God’s plans. Rowe said he wants to affect people’s lives through music and give people something to relate to with each of his songs. And with a law degree to back him up, the evidence suggests Rowe will do just fine.
03-01-2007