Robert Krumbine is the special event producer for Charlotte Center City Partners in North Carolina. He has received numerous regional honors, but nothing as memorable to him as the Silver Knight.

ROBERT KRUMBINE

1977 Music

Miami Norland High

Q: What do you remember about the night you won your Silver Knight award?

A: [Oscar winner] Bill Conti was the one who gave me my Silver Knight.

He was the first winner of the music Silver Knight, ever.

It was one of those moments. All of a sudden you hear the music from Rocky playing, and he starts reading this piece out of what I had written and called me up to the stage.

To think about somebody like him, who's such a big player in the world of music, that was a big moment. When he handed it over to me, it was so heavy I almost dropped it.

Q: How did you first get interested in music?

A: I had bronchial asthma problems growing up, so I took up playing wind instruments. By controlling my diaphragm to keep the right tune, I learned to gain control over the disease.

Q: How do people react when they find out you're a Silver Knight winner?

A: Few people that I talk to recognize it, but those that do are somewhat impressed. This is one of the only truly spectacular awards in the country. If I could wear my Silver Knight around my neck, I would.

Q: Tell us about your life now.

A: I've been producing entertainment for meetings and conventions as vice president of events at Charlotte Center City Partners. I create design and coordinate street festivals, grand openings and more.

In school, I started out as a jazz major and went into music merchandising. I was always more interested in being on that side of the checkbook.

Q: What advice do you have for students who want to be Silver Knights?

A: When I was in school I was driven. That's what it's all about -- focusing your attention on where you want to go and not letting anyone tell you otherwise. Once you do it, you learn it and you carry it through the rest of your life.

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