BLACK STONE CHERRY's CHRIS ROBERTSON Talks Depression And Faith: Jesus Stopped Me From Killing Myself

The You Rock Foundation has released an interview with Chris Robertson of Kentucky rockers BLACK STONE CHERRY. The conversation delves into Chris's past struggles with depression and his subsequent reliance on faith to pull him out of that dark place.

"I was gonna go kill myself. I had the gun loaded," confesses Chris, in a moment of painful recollection.

Touching upon the intricacies of his depression, including feelings of worthlessness, emotional suppression, and a vicious cycle of prescription drug abuse, the lead singer expounds on his ultimate salvation.

Chris remembers the life-altering day when he spoke to his pastor, opening up about his internal battles. "I prayed right then and there for Jesus to come into my life, and when we finished that prayer, I couldn't talk. I was crying that hard. He patted me on the back when we got done, and I literally fell to my knees — literally hit my knees and felt like I had 20,000 pounds come off my chest, man. It was the most freeing experience of my life. And since then, every day is easier."

Music has also played a part in Chris's recovery — the tattoos of Bob Marley lyrics on his hands are a testament to the positive emotions of Marley's songs and their favorable influence on his mental health. "Even before I had Jesus on my side, I had Bob Marley," he said.

Chris's powerful experience has much to offer those currently caught up in a similar web of emotional turmoil and/or drug abuse. His words bring attention to the importance of support networks — family, music, and religion.

"All those times I thought I was alone, I wasn't," he says. "When I walked out the door with a gun in my hand to put it in my mouth and pull the trigger, there was somebody stopping me. And for me, it was Jesus. That's what changed my life."