Getting it Done in Nashville

Late (late!) tonight will mark exactly one week from when I flew back from Nashville.  Now that NFL training camps are opening, I can say, “After further review” it was a more productive trip than it already seemed on the surface.

Yes, the Summer NAMM Show itself was terrific.  There were so many great exhibits there in terms of quality people, quality products, and some really productive conversations.  If you haven’t been to this event and are in the music/recording industry, what are you waiting for?  You will be overwhelmed due to its size, but, start looking now at the winter version of this event, coming up in January in Anaheim.

Taking the aforementioned step back, though, I’ve done a self-audit and breathed a sigh of relief as a gold star landed at the top of my paper, knowing that I practiced what I preach.

So often in this blog, with my clients, and on “Now Hear This Entertainment” I talk about getting out.  I say that you can’t just stay in your home or office, whether you’re in a role such as mine (manager/publicist) or you’re a singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, etc.  Granted, unlike my Nashville trip, my travel to L.A/Hollywood last month (and back there in six weeks), plus the others I do, you don’t have to necessarily go out of state.  But, go meet people.  Get face-to-face rather than just dealing with folks via text, email, and/or phone.  Show people what you’re doing and learn more about what they’re up to.

I also say time and time again to keep up with your contacts.  Thus, it was great to sit down and visit over lunch with Taylor X and then have breakfast the next day with Chloe Collins.  I follow them both (and all other NHTE guests) on Instagram, but it’s having a friendly talk across the table from each other that’s so much more meaningful.  After all, an Instagram post can only include so much, right?

Heck, I even bumped into Aaron Haugland, Kathryn Hoxie, Rose Cora Perry, and Daniel B. Marshall just by walking around the NAMM Show.

Next is building new relationships.  Over three days I did eight interviews for episodes of “Now Hear This Entertainment” that began with last week’s Episode 285 release.  I am today writing to one of those eight regarding something that has nothing to do with their episode.  Build from foundations that you should be laying in the many different places you meet people.

Support one another.  I was thrilled to not only get to finally meet Chris Donohue in person, but, see him perform.  Similarly, although we had done our interview in-person last October, I still made sure to get out to the show that the Wilson Brothers were going to be doing, which also enabled me to get to a legendary Nashville venue I would’ve otherwise not seen.

And along the way the bonus was getting to discover some great music.  You know how I say a lot that people need to ditch the stereotype that Nashville is just country music?  The proof was in the pudding from the very first night I was in Music City.  At a writers night at the Commodore Grille I was so impressed with the music of an act called Chasing da Vinci that I physically walked out of my way to go meet and compliment them before I left.  It takes a lot to get there, but they are definitely on my radar for sure.  The next night I got to see Emily Wolfe absolutely rock the stage (yes, rock music, in Nashville) (you'll hear her on NHTE Episode 289, releasing August 21st), and then 24 hours after that was the show that Chris Donohue performed in, which could be stamped as jazz, just like the really cool sounds I heard as I stood on the plaza outside the Music City Center and listened to/watched Shannon Lauren Callihan who is killing it on Spotify and Instagram because of the great music that she’s creating.  (She'll be on NHTE 291, September 4th.)

So yes, I’ve been digging out and chipping away at my follow-ups/to do list, but I also took time to evaluate the ROI – including the new music I’ll be listening to.  Thank you, Nashville.  As you know, I’ll be back!

How are YOU doing at some of these tasks?  What similar successes have you had recently, be it in Nashville or right in your hometown?  Talk about this blog in our Facebook group!