PENDLETON — Singer-songwriter Ken Robertson has been a performer since he was a child. From the time he could utter a few words, he was singing in church with his mom, dad and siblings as part of the Robertson family singers.

Like many young artists growing up, Robertson had the dream of one day making it to the bright lights on the main stage — but God had a bigger, better plan, he said.

Instead of like many young singers in younger days, who dreamed of becoming a pop rock musician, Robertson was led to a different audience. He said he wanted to create and uplift people through inspirational collaborations, which were not as popular and didn’t have the potential for play on radio stations as many Christian songs do now.

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Robertson, 60, of Pendleton is a Christian musician who performs at churches and for organizations around the state, when not attending his home worship center, Solid Rock Baptist Church in Pendleton.

Robertson, a professional pharmacist, loves country and western music. He describes his style as a southern blend of gospel, Johnny Cash and Elvis, combined with the hymns of the church.

“The mission of what I do is to encourage, restore and challenge,” Robertson said. “If you’ve touched someone’s life, that’s success.”

For Robertson, music always has been about making a difference in someone’s life through the gifts God has given to him.

He averages a couple of shows per month, visiting churches, festivals and other venues to which he has been invited to share his love of music.

Robertson grew up during the dawn and golden age of rock and roll; his main musical influences include bluegrass, blues, folk and gospel with some rock of the ’50s through ’90s.

“There’s an old saying that goes, ‘I may not be young anymore, but I got to hear all the great bands of the day,’ and I certainly did,” Robertson said with a laugh.

He credits his parents for his love of music, something he’s been able to turn into a rewarding hobby through the years.

Robertson’s parents always had southern gospel music playing in the house while he was growing up, along with country and western, and his favorite is Johnny Cash.

“The music that I write now is probably an amalgamation of all of those influences,” Robertson said.

He said he likes to write the type of music God lays on his heart.

Robertson has been known to take a simple children’s song, such as “Jesus Loves Me,” add his style and turn it into a blues tune.

He said he loves to take a song people know well and change it, making it fresh and interesting, so listeners will want to think about the message again.

His music is a tool to encourage others and to help them travel down the road of life in their faith.

“We all need to lift our eyes off of our shoelaces and look to the sky, where we get our help,” he said.

While Robertson plays mostly as a solo performer now, he likes to perform with others, too. People can catch him now and again in local church choirs, praise and worship bands, and at benefit events.

He’s performed with the Joint Heirs, a southern gospel quartet, and has been a part of the bluegrass gospel band Mark Allen and the Gospel Train.

Robertson has written and copyrighted more than 40 songs and had one of his songs published, according to his website.

For more information on Robertson’s music, visit acousticsincerity.com.