New Rockstars of Northern California

It seems that all you see in the news any more is mostly death, destruction, heartache, crimes, wars and politics. I wanted to post something a little on the softer side of life where dreams live again and where fairy tales do actually became reality. This is an article of hope, love, challenges and learning to live, laugh, love and smile again. Although this a very condensed version of their epic journey, there are plenty of links to show you the rest. Never give up on love, life, others because you never know what life has in store.

This is the true story of Producer Robbi Spencer and Recording Artist Shirl Spencer.

There was never any doubt or question that it was love at first sight, they both knew instantly the moment they laid eyes on each other, they had laid eyes on their life-long forever love and soulmate. Robbi knew instantly Shirl would one day become his wife and Shirl instantly knew it too. That’s when Shirl freaked and the trouble began. Shirl knew immediately she was in trouble because she was feeling what true love really felt like and she never saw it coming and she didn’t know what to do about it. Shirl had never felt this kind of love before and when it scared her, she instantly started her 4 year long running expedition. Even after 4 years Robbi still never gave up the hope or his dream of making Shirl his wife and making beautiful music together because he knew they were meant to be and they both knew God was bringing them together. Robbi knew that it would happen, but “when” seemed to be the biggest question. Here is the journey these two rocks stars took on their road where fairy tales become reality!

Producer Robbi Spencer, multi instrumentalist, composer, singer, songwriter, published author, director, screen play writer, movie director, publisher, record producer and artist management.  CEO and founder of SE Studios, the Rock Factory and Owner of Progressive Edge Records in Northern California. Robbi is also owner and publisher of Lost Sheep Publishing and head of the Secret Enterprise Band as well and has been in music most of his life. Playing piano by the tender age of 8 years old and by his teens he was recording and producing music. To date Robbi Spencer has already put out 28 albums and currently working on no.29 in the studio. Robbi Spencer has a voice that people often mistake as Ozzy.  Although he doesn’t try to sound like him, it just comes naturally. Robbi has been making and producing music for over 20 years with music, playing with the best of the best.

Recording Artist Shirl Spencer, multi instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, composer, published author. Shirl was signed to Progressive Edge Records in 2011 and her contract was renewed to a 3 year contract this past year.  Shirl started singing while still in elementary school. Playing guitar by 18 and joining choirs in school and in church since she was a kid. Shirl played for organizations such as march of times, hunger task force, various benefits, Eagles Club and she would sing and play for anyone who would listen. Shirl has recorded many songs currently working on her debut album called, “Tonight”.

Things didn’t go as easy for Shirl as most would think. Shirl had 6 children and had become known as the modern day Job. Shirl gave birth to 5 boys and 1 girl. Shirl’s hopes, dreams and life were shattered and broken on June 26, 2002 when lightening hit her home around 3 am and it took the lives of 3 of her children. Their names were Christian who was 9, Jeremy who was 15 and Jesse who was 7. Shirl sustained injuries trying to rescue get her children that night such as 2 fractured ribs and a broken wrist where the bone got kicked out 30 degrees. When you think things couldn’t have gotten worse, her ex husband who had left her and her children just prior to the fire for an older woman and lied to take her daughter to get out of paying child support and he did that by hiring a high state official as his attorney. Needless to say Shirl didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell. After fighting for her daughter Shirl ended up in a deep depression that landed her in bed with no strength and all she wanted to do was die.  A couple years ago Shirl finally wrote a book telling her story in hopes to help others hang on when they feel they’re at the end of their rope. You can read that by visiting her book website; “Broken but Not Bent”, from there you will find a link to a dedication site to her children as well.  

Shirl and her oldest son who was in his 20’s finally moved to California. Shirl’s son said he was tired of seeing her unhappy, unsocial and he wanted to see her smile so he convinced her to join Plenty of Fish. That’s where she laid eyes on Robbi Spencer. The moment she saw him, everything inside of her screamed, “He’s the one!” Feeling something she’s never known before and not knowing what to make of it, she closed the lid on her laptop and walked away. She went back the following day long enough to look at his picture again and again, walked away. Shirl finally got the nerve up to say, “Hello” and immediately they both felt a connection for each other they’ve never felt before. As they were getting closer Robbi wrote a song for Shirl called, “You shine” and sent it to her. You can hear it by clicking HERE. She couldn’t believe it!! The man of her dreams wrote a song for her!! She was walking on clouds. They continued to stay in touch and grew even closer and that’s when Shirl started getting scared. She knew it was meant to be but with Robbi but because of what her ex had put her through she was afraid. Shirl thought that love equaled pain and although she knew Robbi was the one, she was still scared and would start distancing herself. When Shirl learned that Robbi was a producer, she would avoid any conversation with him that had her and music in the same sentence because any dreams she had of music died the night her children died. Shirl would feel as though she would get the nerve to tell him that she was really in love with him but would end up backing down and would not call for long periods at a time. It turned out that the more she ran, the stronger the love for Robbi grew. Shirl moved from Los Angeles to northern California which was even closer to Robbi for 3 years before he found out. Shirl finally got up the nerve and asked Robbi if he still felt the same way and he said yes and it was on from there!

On July 1, 2011 Robbi and Shirl got married and that’s when the adventures began. Shirl finally got the nerve up and played at one of SE Studios Friday night jams. Everyone who heard her was telling Robbi he needed to produce her. Robbi said he would when Shirl was ready and that he didn’t want to push her into anything she isn’t ready for. Robbi helped Shirl get back to her music slowly. Shirl had written a song for Robbi called, “Got Me An Angel” because she feels that Robbi is her angel sent from heaven and she believes Robbi saves her life every day by just loving her and being there. One day Robbi sat Shirl down and told her, I am not signing you because you’re my wife. I’m signing you because you have talent the label can back up. Don’t expect any special treatment; you will have to fulfill your contract just like the rest of our artists and so Shirl was signed to Progressive Edge Records in 2011.  Recording was a struggle for Shirl because after everything that has happened she had lost all confidence in music, herself and all that it entails. Robbi pulled Shirl out of her depression and forced her to not give up. They had their fights because Robbi was trying to get Shirl to realize who she was and that she has a purpose and a calling and that her life isn’t over, in fact it was just beginning. Shirl Spencer’s singing and performance began to improve drastically and Shirl has recorded several songs which can be heard on her website or ReverbNation.