About

March 21, 2025

I’m Randy, an artist whose insatiable curiosity and passion for experience routinely outpaces conventional wisdom. My journey weaves through multiple creative terrains—from music to writing, from entrepreneurship to wilderness adventures. As an author, I’ve explored the intersections of spirituality, creativity, and authentic living through works including A Renaissance Redneck in a Mega-Church Pulpit (memoir), My Confession, The Loss of Belonging, and most recently, The Quest: Discover a Way to Enjoy the Second Half of Life and The Purging Room (novella).

My professional path has been equally diverse: founding and leading the nonprofit Creative Community, Inc. (2006-2021); creating the internationally recognized re:Create Conferences in Franklin, TN (1999-2017); launching four companies and successfully navigating their transitions; and collaborating with thought leaders ranging from Michael Hyatt to Vicky Beeching.

Perhaps my most transformative contribution has been The Quest: A Rite of Passage for the Second Half of Life—a mountain top experience now expanded into a book available wherever meaningful reads are sold.

Between marathon-running (twenty-five and counting), surviving in grizzly territory on Kodiak Island with nothing but a tent and a raft, painting watercolors, preparing gourmet meals, and exploring the complex characters of fine whiskeys and wines, I remain devoted to one core mission: encouraging others to embrace their authentic selves.

I hold a BA in Music from Palm Beach Atlantic University, but my most valuable education has come from crossing thresholds that others warned against—a journey you can glimpse [HERE in my video].

Click HERE for my Personal Manifesto.

Brief Biographical Sketch

Elrod, Randall (Randy) G. Male. b. 05/01/1958. Author, Painter, Musician, and Entrepreneur. American Born. Spanish Resident.

Recipient, Daughters of American Revolution History Award (1970)
Recipient, Full Tuition Academic Scholarship, Lee University (1976)
Student Director, Campus Choir, Lee University (1978)
Honors Recital Finalist, Lee University (1979)
Recipient, Presidential and Music Full Tuition Scholarships, Palm Beach Atlantic University (1985-1990)
Bass Soloist, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Messiah (1988)
National Association of Teachers of Singing Vocal Competition, Finalist (1989)
Southern Baptist Convention, Indianapolis, IN, Soloist (1992)
Music/Arts Director, Executive Team Member, Various Churches, TN, AL, FL (1977-2006)
Creator, Software, Creative Assistant, (1993)
Founder & President, re:Create Conferences, Inc. (1998-2017)
Creator, Interactive Recruiting CD-Rom, Visteon Corporation (1999)
Executive Producer, Brentwood-Benson Music, Perpetual Praise Music Book & Album (1999)
Recipient, Gold Record, Third Day, Come Together (2001)
Creator & Founder, Kalien Retreat (2002-2021)
Presidential Advisory Board Member, EMI-Sparrow Music (2003)
Recipient, Gold Record, Third Day, Wire (2004)
Executive Producer, Godspell, Franklin, TN (2004) Executive Producer, Live at Home DVD (2004)
Creator, randyelrod.com (2004)
Board of Directors, LightenUp, Inc. (2004)
Co-Creator & Speaker, LifeWork Seminars (2006-2008)
Founder & President, Creative Community, Inc., a 501(c)3 public charity (2006-2021)
Founder, re:Quest, A Rite of Passage (2012)
Recipient, Second Place, People’s Choice Artist, St. George’s C3 Art Salon & Festival (2014)
Author, Sex, Lies & Religion, (2007); Sacred Affection, (2008); Beauty Is Calling, (2008); Letters From A Devastated Artist, (2009); Unspoken Requests, (2013), Ruminations, (2014), A Renaissance Redneck In A Mega-Church Pulpit, (2014); God, I Have A Question or Two, (2015); Visual Talk, Be Who You Are Not What You Do (2015), My Confession, (2018), The Loss of Belonging, (2019), The Quest: Discover a Way to Enjoy the Second Half of Life, (2022)
Founder and Resident Director, Kalien Retreat (2006-2022)
Builder, The Hawk’s Nest Artist/Writer’s Cabin (2015)
Member, Johns Hopkins Legacy Society (2022-present)
Member, Biblioteca Pública Arús, Barcelona, Spain