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Rising Stars

by Gina Ledbetter

George Rowe, a 1992 Seaver College graduate and 1995 graduate of Pepperdine’s School of Law, Rowe is earning a fast growing reputation as a talented recording artist.

After rescuing fourteen-month old “Georgie” from a foster home where he was mistreated, George and Ida Rowe adopted and nourished him with love. The Rowes also nourished his love of music. When he was young, Rowe spotted a clunker upright piano with broken keys and peeling paint set out for the trash. His family brought it home, and young Rowe started playing music by ear. He said, “I’d imagine playing in front of thousands of people. I would be in the car singing along with the radio, and imagine doing it in front of big crowds.”

After being accepted at Pepperdine, he and his parents made the trip from New Jersey to Malibu. Driving up Pacific Coast Highway at night, he said, “We had no idea that the ocean was right there. In the morning it was postcard blue sky and all the islands were crystal clear. It was like that moment when the house lands in Oz and everything turns to color.”

Rowe attended Seaver College and went on to graduate from Pepperdine’s School of Law in 1995. After law school, he worked with Pepperdine in the advancement area. “I was part of the development team by day, and a musician by night.” With any free time he had, Rowe sang at churches, colleges, festivals, or anywhere he could.

When he realized what he truly loved to do, Rowe took a chance and followed his heart. He turned away from pursuing law to knock on doors where his musical talents could be appreciated. Unemployed for a year and a half, Rowe traveled around, singing for little or no money, hoping that something would come of his efforts. Something finally did.

It was Christmas in Nashville, 2002, when Rowe sang at a small venue. An audience member told Rowe their son-in-law was related to someone at Rocketown Records. While Rowe didn’t think much of it at the time, the person bought Rowe’s first CD, Called, and gave it to the president of Rocketown Records, Michael W. Smith, the next day. The introduction paid off. He signed a recording deal with Rocketown and his career has begun to take off.

Married with a growing family, Rowe and his wife, Merritt, have three young children—two daughters and one son: Ireland, Addyson, and Jake. “I cherish my wife and kids,” said Rowe, “and absolutely treasure my time with them.”

With a successful album on the Christian music charts, Think About That, available at Amazon.com and music stores nationwide, Rowe plans to continue writing lyrics, making music, and recording more CDs. His goal is simple. “I look at my songs as an opportunity to talk to somebody. On a CD I get ten opportunities to send a different message. I hope that one of those messages hits someone.”

This story first appeared in the Pepperdine Voice, Fall 2004.