Debunking Myths About the Country Music Industry (Part 3 out of 3)

To conclude, Myth 3.

Image: The Booth

Myth 3: The Country Music Industry is Exclusive.

Before I went to Nashville, I had all these preconceived notions about the music industry– specifically regarding its exclusivity. I envisioned this elite clique of producers, artists, and writers standing to the side, snobbishly watching as a chaotic pig pile forms on the ground– musicians and guitars fighting for a spot that will never be theirs. I envisioned the atmosphere being one of anger and jealousy. I envisioned an “every man/woman/person for themself” type of attitude plaguing the people. Well, I am happy to announce that I was wrong. Very wrong.

Within two months of staying in Nashville, I had found a family. I had discovered so many small, loving communities within the larger microcosm of the industry. I found friends at Writer’s Nights and Song Feedback events and at Publishing companies. Even though we were all fighting for the same thing, we fought together.

We spent the days writing songs together and the nights inviting each other to our writer's rounds (performances). Sometimes, someone would want to cut a song that we all created together (to “cut” something means to record it as an artist). It would be a win-win situation for us all; the artist would have a new song to release, and us writers would get two things: recognition on this song, and also take a portion of the royalty payments from streams.

In my days of absorbing the musical world around me, I have witnessed many instances that remind me of how small Nashville really is. From the statistics, it’s a big world; but from a community standpoint, everybody knows everybody. I’ve seen artists from Boston sign publishing deals in Nashville and then become featured on one of my favorite writer’s records. I’ve seen friends from different circles end up at the same venue on the same night. I’ve seen so many crossovers happen in Nashville and it is just the coolest thing ever. It makes me smile to think about the healthy comradery we all have with each other, raising each other up rather than pulling each other down, celebrating each other’s success. It’s all about the friends you have in Nashville, and sometimes that– friendship– is worth millions more than any talent or luck.