My journey in the music industry has been anything but ordinary. Like many aspiring songwriters, I arrived in Nashville with dreams as big as the city itself. Moving from Los Angeles in 2015, my goal was laser-focused: land a major label publishing deal and get paid to do what I love – write songs. I envisioned myself crafting hits, living the dream, and truly becoming a “like a boss” songwriter in control of my creative destiny.
Nashville’s songwriter scene was a whirlwind of open mic nights and pitching sessions. I poured my heart into every performance and demo, only to face constant rejection. Publishers told me my style was “too outside the box,” a polite way of saying it wasn’t commercially viable for them. Discouragement started to creep in, but I refused to give up. I knew I had talent, and I was determined to find a way to make a living with my music.
While waiting for that elusive “big break,” I explored the online market as a way to supplement my income. I was already equipped to record my own demos and vocals, a skill honed from years of independent work. What I discovered next was a revelation: a thriving online world where singers were in demand for their recording skills! People were actively seeking vocalists just like me for diverse projects, from demo recordings to collaborations with producers needing a songwriter (topliner) for their tracks.
This online market was a complete game-changer. It was like finding the secret level in a video game, a hidden path to success I hadn’t known existed. Suddenly, my skills were not just valuable, they were in demand. I started landing multiple gigs each week, and my financial situation transformed rapidly. The days of struggling and hustling in bars were over. No more late-night bar gigs, no more stressful bartending shifts, no more feeling like a struggling, starving artist. I had finally turned pro. I was operating like a boss in my own music career.
Just recently, as I sit here writing this, I secured a contract to write over 500 songs for a European production library. This isn’t a one-off project; it’s an ongoing commitment where I deliver 20-40 songs every month, with the potential to renew as their library expands.
The income from this single client alone is enough to live on comfortably, even without any other revenue streams. It’s truly mind-blowing to realize the potential of the online music market and the level of success you can achieve when you approach your career like a boss.
And now, having experienced this transformation firsthand, I want to share my insights and help other musicians discover how they too can take control of their careers and thrive in the online music world.
