Week One in Nashville

Breaking Update: I’ve officially moved to Nashville, Tennessee. In my first week, I’ve had ups and downs, rejections and affirmations; I’ve rekindled old friendships as well as spark new ones, played shows and supported other artists at theirs. Here’s a recap of my week.

Image: Whisky Advocate

1/14: Visited my apartment and met my roommates in person for the first time! My parents and I set up an air mattress in my room for the time being, and we made a Target run for some basic supplies like bath mats, clothes hangers, lamps, etc… This would be the first of many Target excursions.

1/15: My first coffee meeting in Nashville! I met up with a co-writer that I had met in Nashville a few years ago. As we discussed all things music, from Tiktok marketing to our dream venues to perform at, my anxieties about moving away from home at 18 to chase my dreams melted away. I knew I’d find a community here, a group of people to create memories and songs with, and inspirations from streetlights and city nights, and so much more.

1/16: My first Nashville snowfall.

1/17: A day of planting networking seeds in Facebook groups. I posted in a Nashville entertainment group, which would soon bear much fruit.

1/18: Per my networking from the day before, I was invited to my very first round in Nashville since moving! I was asked to fill in at the last minute for someone who had called in sick. It was a Flower Power Night at the Virgin Hotels Nashville, and I played six songs. I met so many wonderful, talented girls, as well as a couple of POC writers– rare to see in Nashville. This would be the start to another path of coffee meetings and writes!

1/19: Wrote some emails to music publishers and writer representatives to schedule meetings in the coming weeks. Also completed some administrative tasks, like registering new songs and performances with my PRO (Performing Rights Organization).

1/20: Did a solo write! Although it wasn’t my favorite song in the world, it was nonetheless a complete song. Also had class at Belmont University and learned about MIDI Controllers!

1/21: I had another round this night at the Commodore Grille. I’ve played this venue many times in the past, and it was an absolute blast.

1/22: In the morning, I had brunch with another old friend/producer! I felt so comforted to see him again, and it was another reminder that Nashville will quickly become my home. In the evening, I got dinner with a couple of other friends that I’ve written and played numerous shows with in the past! They introduced me to some cool places in Nashville and again, I was so grateful for a sense of familiarity throughout all the new activities in my life.

Well, that was Week One in Nashville! Not included were the many DM’s and messages that I sent about connecting with no response, the coffee meetings that got cancelled, and songs that I started but never finished. I recognize that my time here in Nashville will be a journey, with so many more successes and failures to come; but at the end of the day, I will get from point A to B, holding in my heart and in my hands so many lessons and experiences that I will cherish forever. Stay tuned for more “Week in My Life’s” during my time here in Nashville!