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Black History Month
"I built it in 1972 as an experiment to see if it would work," said Robinson, pointing at what remains of his creation half buried in the backyard. "Gas was cheap at that time, but I decided to see if I could build a system that would heat water using wood." The tank was heated by a wood-burning furnace and the water was piped into the house. "If you got it going first thing in the morning it would keep the water hot all day," Robinson explained. "Then you had to crank it up again in the evening and it would heat the water all night." He said he made the gathering of wood an activity for the entire family. With five children he never lacked for help. "They (the kids) loved helping me get wood and get the fire going," he said. "It wasn't really a chore to them." Robinson said his hot water heater also served a dual-purpose as a barbecue pit. "I realized later, after I had disassembled it, that I could have used it as a clothes dryer as well," he added. For 18 years, from 1972 to 1990, the water heater served the Robinson household well. "I decided to do away with it after all of my children were grown and most had moved out," he said. "Plus, as I got older my health began to get worse and I was physically unable to keep enough wood cut to keep it going." During his lifetime, Robinson, who is now 62, has done whatever it takes to earn a living. His first love is music and the church. As a younger man he recorded several songs that appeared on compilation albums. His first song, "Shopping For Love," was recorded in California. In the 1970s he recorded "I Got My Religion in Time," in Nashville. Robinson still enjoys writing songs and singing with the male chorus at Mt. Sinai No. 1 Baptist Church, located in the Evergreen community. He currently serves as leader of the group, which performs at a number of churches throughout the area.
Other occupations the Clarke County native has had include working as a disc jockey and operating a rolling store. He also operated a hog farm at his home on Gainestown Road near Jackson as well as a shop and storage building. "You do what it takes to get by," he said. "Oh by the way, I still have plenty of ideas, that I'd be willing share, for a price," he said, smiling.
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