So you just moved to Nashville, you’re a good solid player with a good attitude and excited to begin working. You don’t care about being a superstar, you just want to play music with others but you are quickly learning that this can be hard to do. You are having a hard time getting off the ground. What do you have to do to get started in this town?
Regardless of your talent level, the truth is simply that talent alone isn’t going to get you work. Nashville, like any major music Metropolis, attracts talented people by the masses. They literally flock to this place in droves. This creates a supply and demand problem that works against the musicians. Knowing and understanding this is crucial. Ultimately, the only way in is by slowly nurturing relationships that will lead to opportunities. The best place to build these relationships is in the nightclubs around town. There is no shortcut to this, it’s going to take some time so be patient.
A newcomer to Nashville recently told me his story. He moved to Nashville about a year ago with the goal of becoming a part of the country music scene here. He has been frequenting the clubs downtown with the intention of sitting in and getting to know some of the players. Even though he’s familiar with most of the standards that are being played, he’s having a hard time getting past the idea of hustling to sit in. He said that he views his reasons for networking as self-serving, and this prevents him from talking to musicians because he feels self-conscious about it – like he’s using them. The end result is that he just walks around watching bands, never talks to anybody, and then goes home.
I, as well as many others, can relate. When I first moved to Nashville I was in a similar situation. How does one introduce them self to all these total strangers and maneuver his or her way into sitting in without coming off to self-serving?
One thing that worked for me was seeking out groups of players and artists that I related to musically. This makes it much easier to form real relationships that can evolve over time. Try to find a group of players, or singer that you really connect with. Maybe you really dig their song list, or are inspired by the performances of one or more of the players in the band. If you can feel a real connection through the music, it should be easy to engage in some genuine conversations – the music is your common ground. Find out when they’re playing again and become a regular. Over time they’ll gradually get to know you and sitting in will be part of a natural progression. Maybe try to cultivate a handful of different situations like this. Also, try to find these kinds of inspiring groups that are playing either earlier shifts and/or at the less popular bars. Those situations will be more laid back and might make it more likely for them to take breaks. And that combined with a smaller crowd in general will make it easier to engage in conversation.
The key to gigging in Nashville is relationships. It’s hard to force friendships and relationships to happen, they need to naturally evolve. You need to regularly put yourself in different kinds of situations where this can happen. It just takes time, persistence, and patience. Most importantly, be a good person. Of course being proficient on your axe will help to.
There is no guarantee that this approach will allow you to achieve the kind of success you envision. But for that matter, there are no guarantees in the music business, or life in general. So just suck it up, be in it for the long haul, and get out there and start pounding the pavement. Be friendly and outgoing and put your best foot forward. Talk to people. Take an interest in their careers and lives. Try to find some common ground and build relationships with players that you relate to. If you have already tried this and haven’t yielded much results, try harder.
That’s what it takes to get started in Nashville.
4 Responses to Getting Started in Nashville
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I could’nt agree more with this article. Great job Eric-as usual! When I first moved to town in 03, pretty much everyone told me that it was a “five year town” I really did’nt quite understand what that meant and was actually a bit discouraged by that statement. I figured, well I’m a good player, I’m versatile, I can read well, I play both upright and electric bass, I have a good additude (which I developed working in NYC for many years) I’m professional, mature, sober- yada,yada,yada. So why should it take 5 years to get anything substantial going? The answer, which I found out, is relationships. It takes time to build them-maybe 1 year, 2, 5 10..whatever, but it does take time. Yes, in the beginning I felt very self conscious about meeting new players and it still feel that way. That feeling will never go away. It’s a part of networking and if you’re going to network, you’re going to feel that way. The trick is to keep at it until you become comfortable with the new guys that you meet. After a bit of time (and not long) you’ll feel more at home with them and they will feel more at home with you. Don’t forget, every one of those musicians was “new to Nashville” at some point. You’ll get comfortable, just give yourself the time to get there and by all means, don’t force yourself on anyone! We all like to be liked and we all have pre-conceived notions about folks we have not met yet. Give other musicians (and yourself) a chance and you’ll do fine. It takes time to build these relationships. If you’re serious about being here (or in any music circle, click or town) then you’ll be here for a long period of time. And time is what you need to give it. After I started making the rounds I felt less and less like I was “hunting for a gig” and really started to enjoy just hanging out with folks that shared the same interests as I did. These people became some of my closest friends and we now rely on each other for support (and for work from time to time!)as well as just knowing we’re gonna have a blast everytime we hang out. All in all, best advice I could give you is what Eric already said-it takes time to build these relationships as it does with any relationship. Keep going and don’t over-think it.
All the best to the new guys and to you Eric.
Keep up the great stuff!
Tom DAngelo
Good honest write-up, Eric.
When I first came to Nashville in 1988, I was already signed as an artist and writer. So I got to know people in the biz through the producer that signed me. Of course, back then, there weren’t as many “networking” organizations that you see all around town these days. If you came to town “green”, your best bet was to find a small demo studio, record your songs, and pitch them to every record label / manager / publisher who would give you a listen. And there were crap-loads of them on the Row back then.
Now pardon me for a bit, while I sound a bit ‘negative’ for a moment.
Used to be, talent was the one thing that set you apart. Nowadays, the industry has become such a ‘closed door’, until the chances of anyone really becoming successful are a million to one. Yet Nashville has more hopefuls than ever before, and most of them are mediocre, at best (but don’t tell them that).
The good talent, unfortunately, gets lost in the shuffle most times, because of 2 distinguishing factors: (1) the Nashville Hoi-Paloi have a monopoly on the biz. Unless they know you and trust you and believe in you (ie. you show earning potential for the company), you’re stuck. Talent is considered cheap here. It’s a ‘good-ol-boy’ mentality in the high places and they will consider their old pals who need a break long before they even look at you. (2) The variety of talent in this town is beyond belief. So many people are trying to get in through such a small door, the companies are hiring security and ‘screeners’ to keep the ‘hopefuls’ out of the way! It used to be an open door policy here. Now they demand “no unsolicited material”.
Then you got these “networking” organizations in town who have special get-togethers, writing sessions, showcases, critiques, writers’ nights, and “how to” classes — along with these career “coaches” — that allegedly provide support and knowledge (for a fee).
If one is wise, he/she should save their money. Although you will find an occasional successful writer or artist giving a bit of instruction in the mix, the majority of it is a waste of time. To begin with, the people that host these circus acts are wanna-be’s themselves — and have never had any real success. They’ve only been here longer, and had the chance to get around a bit. They are in truth merely making up for the money they never made on their music by having you pay for their advice. But they’re no better off than they were when they first got here.
Meanwhile, the boys in the big offices making the big decisions could care less. They figure it gives everybody something else to do than to keep badgering them about a damn record deal.
I could go on and on. 23 years in this town will teach you something. But my advice is (and always will be) FREE!
With all that said, in essence, it’s not what you know, who you know, or even who knows you. It’s HOW they know you. You have to have something they want for the moment. If it flies, they’ll want it again. If it doesn’t fly, they push the eject button on your ass. That’s just how it goes.
If you’re a songwriter, then coming to Nashville IS a good move because this is a songwriter’s town. Start finding other writers and get to work. Go to writers nights and hook up. But the BEST thing any aspiring Country Music artist can do is to STAY HOME and build a following where you are. Your chances of finding success begin with the following you cultivate right where you are. Word gets to Nashville soon enough. Then they come looking you up.
If you want to go for it in Nashville, then give yourself time and keep your eyes open.They’ll tell you to be a nice guy and network around town. I say poppycock. Find out who’s in charge and skip all the BS and body odor. It’s a waste of time. A handful of people run the whole game. Find out who they are, and get in front of them. It’s not as easy as it sounds. But you’re saving yourself a lotta time and money that way.
The good news is, that there is no certain way of making it here. You have to create your own options. But if you are persistant and have the goods, the right folks will come around to help you — and then you’re on your way. That’s when the work REALLY starts!
And so it goes…
This post is really inspiring, when i was younger i really dreamed to become a song writer. It’s so nice to know that there are people who are willing to help those aspiring artist.. Keep it up!!
Libby Knight was my father. I am working on being half the musician he was. Thanks so much for all the kind words.he was an amazing man and will be missed. RIP daddy you have so many people who owe their careers to you!