Robin Horlock does not hail from Mount Pleasant.

But with hard work and frequent gigs, he has engraved himself into its local music scene.

The 29-year-old singer and guitarist’s journey to the area is atypical — he is not a Central Michigan University student (he actually attended Western Michigan University), nor did he grow up in the area, in fact, it is quite the opposite.

Born in Essex, England, he split time living there and in Cologne, Germany, until his family decided move to the U.S., landing in Northville, Mich., when he was 10.

Horlock admits he has an eclectic group of influences.

“While a lot of people that grew up (in the U.S.) were listening to a lot of classic American rock — Lynyrd Skynyrd, CCR and Jimi Hendrix — I was definitely more brought up on the Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Who,” he said.

Horlock also cites Jack Johnson, John Mayer and the Goo Goo Dolls as influences in his music.

Music is life

Horlock said he would not be alive without music. His desire to be a professional performer motivated him to get sober, and he has not had a drink since Nov. 7, 2006.

“There was not a day that went by where I was sober,” he said. “But I wanted music to be a career, not just a hobby.”

Horlock has been a professional musician for the past eight years and is a veteran of more than 1,300 shows. He has opened for bands such as Blind Melon and Sponge, and performed for former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 2008.

He has become a staple of The Cabin, 930 W. Broomfield St., over the last six years, playing acoustic shows with his lead guitarist, Kenny Sams of Brighton.

“The Cabin has always been one of my regular gigs,” he said. “I’ll build up a fan base throughout the year, but then they’ll graduate and I’ll have to do the same thing over again.”

Cabin fever

Jan. 29 was Horlock’s first 2010 performance at The Cabin and it attracted a wide audience of people with a good mix of cover songs and originals.

The Cabin’s manager, Chad Miller of Mount Pleasant, said people come out every time Horlock plays.

Canton senior Aaron Ciborowski said he has attended several of Horlock’s shows.

“Anytime he’s here, I try to take off work and go see him,” he said. “He really shows you how good you have to be to make it.”

Horlock has released two albums, 2004’s “Risk To Try” and last year’s “Music.” He doesn’t intend to slow down anytime soon.

“Singing and music, nothing else comes close to satisfying me,” Horlock said. “A life without music is no life at all.”

E-mail the author: Michael L. Hoffman