Sixteen-year-old Robert Pierre is turning the tables. A little over two years ago, around the time of his first studio release, he was just being introduced to the Christian music audience. Fast forward to today, and he’s co-headlining the national iShine tour with The Rubyz and Luke Benward, has performed his latest single "Breaking My Heart" on The 700 Club, and is prepping for the February release of his new breakthrough album, Identity. You can expect that list to lengthen quickly.

Fans don’t have to wait until February to hear Robert’s new album though. Through a partnership with the James Fund, every Barnabas Bear purchased and sent to a needy child through Family Christian Stores gives you a free copy of Identity from now through December 2008.

I talked to Robert recently about his new album, the iShine tour, and a few other things. Here’s what he had to say…

Since the release of your first album, in what ways has your life changed?

Right after I released my first CD, Inside Out, I began a nation-wide tour with Christ in Youth’s Jr. High ministry, called Believe. It was a fantastic opportunity for me to sing the music off my CD and to get my feet wet, so to speak, with being on tour and performing live.

But way more important than any of that was how the Lord used that time, and the 22,000 kids we saw on that tour, to develop in me a heart for people and a real passion for ministry.

What gave you the motivation to record your latest album, Identity?

Interestingly enough, this ties right into the question you just asked. It was while I was touring in 2006/2007 that I had the chance to meet and interact with thousands of kids, hearing their stories and talking about their lives. What I learned was a big surprise. There are a lot of kids out there who are truly hurting.

My website had a message board at the time where kids could write in to leave me messages as well as chat with each other. It was amazing what kids, young kids my age, were dealing with. There were a lot of broken hearts from divorce and step-parents, a lot of peer pressure and a lot of insecurity. Many kids were talking about cutting and some even about suicide.

Last year, I began to work on a new CD project. I really wanted this CD to speak to the issues of kids my age, so I began by listing as many things as I could think of that my friends and I are going through, as well as so many of the kids that I had met along the way. Some were the good things like friendship and the fun of sports or video games, but what I really wanted to focus on were a lot of the tough issues kids my age were dealing with—everything from academic stress to peer pressure to alcohol and drugs to purity pressure. His list went on and on, and when I finished and looked at it, I realized that almost everything I wrote dealt with identity. Where is your identity? What is it that you think makes you important? What are you willing to do to become important to someone else? It seemed like kids were only listening to what the world had to say to them and it was right then that I realized my generation was having a serious identity crisis.

So, I set out to make every song on my new CD circle around this theme: identity. I want kids to know that they don't have to believe what the world is screaming at them, that they need to be cool or thin or athletic or smart to be important or loved. I want them to know that they don’t need to act a certain way for their friends, give into their boyfriend’s requests, or look like the magazine covers to feel good or have worth. I want to tell them that because of what Christ has already done for them, they can be forgiven and set free. They can be loved and accepted by God and their lives have value and worth no matter how athletic they are or what grades they get!

Tell us about your partnership with the James Fund with this album.

This is something I’m totally pumped about. In February of 2009, my CD will release nationwide, but for right now, my CD is being offered exclusively at Family Christian Stores as a kind of "thank-you" gift for every $10 donated to their foundation, the James Fund, which benefits widows and orphans. See, it's been my privilege to be raised in a home where giving is a very high priority. My parents, grandparents, and even my great-grandparents have been involved with actively supporting missions around the world. They've even helped missionaries to build over 6 orphanages overseas from the ground up. So, I thought working with the James Fund was a really cool opportunity for me to keep the work going and get involved to help support widows and orphans locally and beyond! We’re well on the way to raising $1,000,000.00 this Christmas season!

How is your new album different from your first album?

Well, maybe the most obvious difference is that my voice is a whole lot lower! You know, I was 13 when I recorded the first CD and 15 when I recorded the second. There’s a big difference in a guy’s voice during those years! In addition to that, the music is a bit edgier. I’d call the first CD in the Pop genre. This one is definitely more Rock. It’s got a great sound. I also co-wrote 4 of the songs on the CD!

What song on Identity has the most meaning to you?

I think the message of the title song, "Identity," is pretty powerful for kids my age. It tells the story of a boy who doesn’t party with his friends, and then a girl who chooses purity, all because they know their identity. The chorus gives their explanation:

That’s who I am, forgiven and set free,
It doesn’t matter what the world may think of me,
I got nothin’ to hide, I know my identity.
Without a doubt, I know His blood has covered me,
And that’s who I am!

When you know your value and worth to God, and you understand that all you have is because of the covering of Christ’s blood, you live differently. You don’t have to live to please anyone other than God then.

What artists, Christian or non Christian, inspire you the most and why?

Oh, man, I listen to a lot of music. Some of my favorite artists are Chris Tomlin, Third Day, Hawk Nelson, Relient K, David Crowder Band and Tenth Avenue North. I know I’ve also been influenced by some of the greats like Billy Joel and Elvis Presley. But, I have to say that tobyMac is a real inspiration to me. He’s just the real deal. He has a heart for kids, he has a fantastic work ethic and he keeps putting out some rockin’ music year after year! I met him last year and he took time to talk to me, one on one, and give me some advice and council about the music industry and life on the road. He didn’t have to do that, and it made a big impression on me.

How has the iShine tour impacted your life?

iShine is a high-energy event with singers, dancers, music, video, lights. It’s a crazy blast, especially because there are so many kids on tour together. Did you know the entire show is driven by kids? In the past, I’ve been the youngest on the tour, but not this time! It’s been a lot of fun to have so many kids around! But as far as impact goes, I’d be lying to tell you anything other than two words: Paige Armstrong. She’s our speaker, an 18 year old cancer survivor who lays out a message of identity like nobody’s business. Listen, we’ve got some great music, some awesome dancers and even some cool singers on the tour, but none of us compare to the message Paige gives! You can watch some clips from the event on my website.

Thanks Robert!

No problem!