Braden River Elementary teacher releases CD

MILL CREEK — Even with his debut CD, Braden River Elementary School teacher and songwriter Rob Gorley is full of surprises.

With strong connections in the Nashville country music scene and a CD collection that boasts titles from ’80s metal legends Whitesnake, one would assume Gorley’s first recording would feature infectious distorted guitar riffs, a thumping rhythm section and plenty of hooks that could stick in someone’s head for days.

However, not a single guitar chord can be heard on the 10 songs on “Life.” Furthermore, the disc, which Gorley released April 21, includes no drums, no bass, and — perhaps most shocking for an artist whose music career thus far has been built on his lyrics — no words.

Composed entirely on a keyboard sitting in the front room of Gorley’s Mill Creek home, “Life” is best filed under “new age.” It’s a dreamy record full of long, flowing chords and delicate synthesized melodies that would sound perfectly at home at a day spa.

However, although the actual sound of the music isn’t vintage Gorley, the music represents everything he holds dear.

“It really happened by accident,” he says. “I was goofing around at the keyboard and making these ambient sounds.

“My wife and the kids (son Max and daughter Alaina) seemed to like it,” Gorley says. “I call it the ‘softer side of redneck.’”

“Life” even features two songs Gorley completed with the help of his children. Son Max helped write the title track, while daughter Alaina is credited for work on “Friend.” Alaina also created the CD’s artwork, which depicts her favorite tree in the backyard of the Gorley home in Mill Creek.

Gorley, a 20-plus-year teacher in Manatee County, always had harbored a love of music. A native of Danville, Ky., Gorley excelled in chorus as a high-schooler but stopped pursuing music once he entered college.

“Our chorus director always pushed us a lot,” he says. “I always wanted to do something with music.”

However, Gorley’s passion remained dormant until about four years ago, when he met local musician and friend David Wise. Gorley presented some of his lyrics to Wise, who then would add melody and guitar chorus to them.

Gorley, the songwriter, was born.

At the advice of his cousin, country hit songwriter Ashley Gorley, Rob Gorley joined the Nashville Songwriters Association International, a community that helps songwriters hone their skills and network throughout the world.

Since then, Rob Gorley has continued to work on his craft and has submitted several tunes for consideration. His newest, “You in the U.S.A,” is a patriotic country tune perfectly suited for holidays such as Memorial Day and July 4.

Rob Gorley also says he’s enjoyed working with songwriters from around the world.

“There’s a guy I met in Nashville who lives in Toronto, and we meet weekly on Skype,” he says. “I’m just having such a good time with it (songwriting), and I love this as an artistic outlet.

“It’s cool taking something that didn’t exist and creating something that makes people laugh, cry or think.”
For “Life,” Rob Gorley took inspiration from some of the music he enjoyed while listening to smooth jazz on the radio. When the songs were complete, he connected with local guitarist Steve Sobecki, who mastered the disc at his studio, Electric Stevieland.

Rob Gorley celebrated the disc at a CD release party April 21 at Firkin and Fox. The party featured live music from some of his friends, food, giveaways and more. “Life” also is available online at CD Baby.

Contact Michael Eng at [email protected].