Exclusive Premiere: Rob Mayes Turns Defiance Into Strength and Grit in ‘Prospector’

Rob Mayes has grit in his veins in his new song, “Prospector,” premiering exclusively with Sounds Like Nashville.  

Known for his starring roles in the cult classic film, John Dies at the End opposite Paul Giamatti,and TV series including Mistresses and The Client List, the actor-turned-singer is now drawing attention to his passion for country music. The Cleveland, Ohio native grew up listening to the likes of George Strait and Alan Jackson, channeling those influences into his own songs. Co-written by Mayes, The Voice Season 15 contestant Joey Green and producer Kevin Leach, “Prospector” has Mayes turning his admiration for Western films into a swampy number set during the Gold Rush era that tells the story of man traveling across the U.S. from Ohio to California, dodging trouble along the way. 

Mayes’ voice is filled with intensity as he sings over storming drums and guitar, “Call me the prospector / Ain’t no bone collector / Chasing that carrot like a rabbit down the hole / Ain’t no greed creature / Just a yellow preacher / Forty-niner miner for that gold.”

“We wanted to tell the story of me moving cross country, in a different way, a unique way, a defiant way; that ‘do it no matter, even in the face of all adversity and obstacles,” Mayes explains, citing “healthy” defiance as trusting one’s gut, defining your goals and striving for them while facing doubters with confidence and resilience. “There’s strength in defiance. In order to overcome what may stand between you and what you want, a good bit of defiance isn’t only healthy, it’s necessary.”

Between traveling back and forth from Los Angeles to Nashville for songwriting and recording sessions, fans can also see Mayes in the upcoming films A Soldier’s Heart starring Val Kilmer and AnnaLynne McCord and Into Thin Air alongside Dirty Sexy Money actress Samaire Armstrong.    

“Prospector” officially drops on Friday (Sept. 13).