Robert Steven Nakamoto was born on May 27, 1960 in Sacramento, California.  He is the son of Robert and Janet Nakamoto.  He is a 1982 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.  He served in the active army and reserves for several years as an infantry officer.  By God's Grace he also completed the Airborne, Ranger, Jumpmaster, Air Movement, and Jungle Warfare courses.  His military awards include the Expert Infantryman's Badge, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge, Honduran Parachutist Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and various service ribbons.  He was also blessed with qualifying as expert on the machine gun, rifle, and pistol.  After five years on active duty, including three years with the 82nd Airborne Division, Robert resigned from the active Army in 1987.

Because of an administrative error, he lost his officer's commission due to leaving his name on the reserve rolls while in an inactive status.  Following the events of September 11th, 2001, Robert enlisted to serve in the Tennessee Guard as an enlisted soldier.  Due to having a college degree, he was allowed to enlist as an E-4 (Specialist) instead of a lower rank.  Robert is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He was mobilized in June 2004.  He served in northeastern Iraq from December 2004 through October 2005 at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Cobra.  He served primarily in a Scout Platoon as a Raven (remote controlled aircraft) operator and a Hummer gunner.  After receiving medical treatment for some relatively minor injuries incurred during the deployment, he left military service in July 2006
Robert is an active Christian musician.  Formerly he played secular music from 1980 until 1992.  Due to a strong warning from God in a dream about the music he was playing and lifestyle he was living, he made many changes in his life, including ending his use of alcohol.  Except for playing at church and church meetings, Robert quit playing music in 1992 and sold all of his major musical instruments except for two acoustic guitars, a banjo, and harmonicas. 

God blessed Robert with meeting and marrying Sherri Nakamoto in 1992 and they currently live in the Nashville, Tennessee area.  They have been blessed with five wonderful Christian children.  Sherri and the children are beginning to help in the music field.  During the 20 month deployment he rediscovered his love of music and was shown how music can minister to God's people.  He played several times each week (if not on a mission) at the chapel services in Iraq.

One highlight of Robert's rebirth in music was helping to set up the sound system for Charlie Daniels when he came to Iraq.  "The chapel band and assistant chaplain set up the sound system for Charlie Daniels when he visited our base.  His band said it was the best set-up they'd seen in Iraq.  We were really encouraged by that comment coming from some world famous musicians," Robert recalls.  He also added, "Charlie's words and music, and those of his band and staff, were greatly appreciated.  Charlie and his band not only played great music, but they truly ministered to our souls.  They brought a piece of the home front with them.  The troops really appreciated that someone of Charlie's fame, would make the difficult and dangerous trip to our base. It was a strong message of how much support we had back home. It was one of the best concerts I've ever seen." 

A real high-light came during the concert when Robert got to play a song with Charlie Daniels, and Bruce Brown (one of the CDB guitarists) let Robert use his Fender Stratocaster.  Robert hadn't touched a Stratocaster since he'd sold his back in 1995.  "I got to play some guitar solos with the CDB band, so it was a real treat getting to play with some living legends who are also some of the best musicians in our nation."

Three military chaplains whom Robert played music for during their services, encouraged Robert to pursue a Christian music career when he returned to the U.S.  "I believe God, during the deployment, has shown me what music to play, how to play it, and why to play it," says Robert.  Robert and Sherri wrote over a dozen songs on the deployment.  Robert also co-wrote two other songs with other soldiers, including one with SFC Allen Lewis, of Soldiers for Christ ministries, and the other with SGT James Case. 

Robert now plays and sings original Christian songs, and hymns and other more contemporary music, in a unique upbeat folk style.  During the deployment he was also convicted to play and promote U.S. made guitars and equipment and upon his return from Iraq bought two U.S. made guitars (an acoustic and an electric).