The Ledger

By Becky Holland

At 25 years old, R.J. Sanders is balancing life as a husband, father of two young children, and a full-time employee at Robins Air Force Base—all while steadily building a name for himself in the world of country music.

A 2018 graduate of Bleckley County High School, Sanders went on to earn his aircraft structural technology certification from Middle Georgia State University. While his career path took him into aviation, music has become the passion that continues to shape his journey.

“I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do in high school,” Sanders said. “I thought about being an entrepreneur.”

That path began to take shape in an unexpected way—through a guitar that had been sitting in his home for years.

“My daddy’s guitar would just stare at me,” he said with a laugh. “I always wanted to play, but I never tried.”

That changed when Sanders, around age 20, found the right YouTube video and began teaching himself. The first song he learned to play was Travis Tritt’s “I’m Gonna Be Somebody”—a fitting start for someone now carving out his own place in music.

Not long after, he landed his first opportunity to perform, opening for another artist at a local venue. Since then, his momentum has grown steadily.

In 2021, 2022, and again in 2025, Sanders has had the opportunity to play close to 200 shows, performing across Georgia from McDonough to Columbus to Valdosta and beyond.

He’s particularly excited about an upcoming opportunity to open for Will Moseley—known for his appearance on American Idol—as part of the Halfway From Everywhere Summer Music Fest 2026.

The event is set for August 22 at SanWar RV Park & Resort, beginning at 2 p.m., and will feature a full day of live music. Sanders will be part of a lineup that includes Macie Bing Maxwell, the Tyler Cullens Band, and Katie O from The Voice, with Moseley headlining the event.

Sanders said he’s looking forward to the opportunity to share the stage with a strong group of performers and be part of what’s expected to be a high-energy day of country music.

For Sanders, music is more than just performance—it’s connection.

“Every genre can reach you,” he said. “Whether it’s heartache or grieving, there’s something in music for everybody.”

Country music, in particular, resonates with him because of its storytelling.

“I’ll sit there and dissect a song and point out the story to whoever I’m with,” he said, laughing.

That love of storytelling carries into his own songwriting. Sanders has written three original songs, including “When You Walked Away,” which is available on platforms like Apple Music. He said there has also been the possibility of a song project involving Rebecca Howell, a local artist now based in Nashville.

“When I write, I’m inspired by life events,” he said.

Looking ahead, Sanders hopes to record an EP featuring three or four songs, continuing to build his catalog and reach.

While many aspiring country artists set their sights on Nashville, Sanders is content to grow his career in his own way—through social media, including TikTok, and by continuing to play shows across the region.

“I do music because I love it,” he said. “I hope one day to be a songwriter who inspires other songwriters like I was inspired.”

Reflecting on his journey so far, Sanders offered advice to his younger self—words shaped by both experience and a favorite song.

“Slow down and trust the process,” he said, referencing Darius Rucker’s “This.” “Everything you go through leads you to where you’re supposed to be.”

For more information on R.J. Sanders, visit http://www.rjsandersofficial.com or follow him on social media at @rjsandersmusic.