Author: Jaimee T

Posted in Music

Not Your Typical Girl

Posted on by Jaimee T

It is CMA week here in Nashville. Basically, another reason for everyone to get really, really drunk. And of course, to celebrate the talented musicians that roam the lovely 615.

However, there’s been something bothering me, and I finally can address it as an issue. I get that I’m a girl, with blonde hair and blue eyes, but that does mean I don’t know what I’m doing and that I’m stupid. To me, that’s worst than being sexist, you are literally judging me based on how I look. Just about every meeting that I’ve had, everyone that I’ve talked to. Everyone has told me, that I will have a harder time because I’m “pretty with blonde hair blue eyes.” To be honest, I don’t even know what the hell that means.

But then I watched the CMAs tonight, and I saw that Chris Stapleton stole the night. Not your typical, really good looking, pop country artist out there. But his music is fantastic and according to the rest of the world, everyone else agrees with me. So what does that mean for me, it means that I have a chance to make it as a production person in the music world, even if I don’t “look” like your typical girl working backstage.

Posted in Music

Stop Judging Music

Posted on by Jaimee T

Music, what exactly is it?

Is it just a bunch of noise, or is it a pattern of some sort?
What do you consider music? Is it the rhythms and notes, or
the melody and lyrics?

We can all be music snobs in our own way. I like to think I am myself. But with that being said, we need to get our head out of our a** and look the hell around.

Just because we don’t like something, doesn’t mean it’s not quality. For example, I can’t stand opera. Mostly because my mom use to wake me up on a Saturday morning blasting opera.

The lord could have killed me if he wanted to, but nope, I had to listen to it on blast until I woke up. As I got older, I started to “appreciate it”, I know it’s good music and beautiful music. But no one in the right mind will get me to an opera.

What’s my point: stop judging Kesha, Rhianna and all these other pop stars. Because they are making way more money than you anyway.

Posted in Uncategorized

As of Now… I’m OK

Posted on by Jaimee T

It’s been a while since I’ve written a post.

Unfortunately, my computer was stolen and it put my blogging on a hiatus. I’m so sorry for those of you who actually read my blog.

Update on my life, I’m working a lot for a merchandising company,as a brand ambassador and doing some freelancing for live events on the side. I thought I was going to be going on tour, but it looks like another plan on mine fell through. However, I’m going to keep fighting and keep going because I have a goal to be on tour. Because all I have at this point is myself, my self worth and the people who believe in me.

I have a passion for my life and those who are involved. It may seem that people think I’m crazy because, well because I am.

And I’m OK with that.

All anyone needs to know, is I’m going to keep plugging along like I’ve always have.

As of now… I’m OK.

Posted in Life, Music, Nashville

Rockstars Are People Too

Posted on by Jaimee T

I really hate the stereotype of musicians and the rockstar lifestyle. It’s not true at all. Believe me, their lives are not as glamorous as you think it is.

Yesterday I walked into a bar with a couple of friends for Sunday Funday. Low behold, guess who walks in. Miranda Lambert. And after all the controversy that has been going on with her, I’m sure she just wants to be surrounded by good friends,people and beer.

And of course what happens, she is swarmed by 10,000 guys trying to hit on her. She literally just wants a beer and to be left the hell alone. Naturally, she dipped out in the back way to escape the horror.

But seriously, when you are going through a hard time, all you want is comfort and support. But once you have made it in the big leagues, your normal life disappears.

Please tell me, when you are feeling alone, scared, vulnerable, you want to be swamped with paparazzi cameras staring at you like mosquitos… I didn’t think so.

So next time you see someone super famous out and about, leave them alone.

Posted in career, Friendship, Music, Success

“I Believe That I Can Make You Scream”

Posted on by Jaimee T

I’m filling out a form for a mentorship program in Nashville.

One of the questions for the  form has is “What is your definition of success?”

And I thought about it really hard, because everyone has a different definition of what it means to be happy. As I’m writing it, I’m not actually sure what I truly think about it. Because everyday is different. Everyday I wake up wondering what the hell am I doing, wondering what will the day bring me, what will I do today.

Today, my definition of success would be to be laying next to my best friend. I’ve known her since I was two weeks old. What would I be doing with her, besides celebrating her birthday.Probably talking about our families,friends, boys and life. It’s so easy to be around her, I am inspired by her everyday.

I really hate the fact that I will not be there for her birthday, but I’m here trying to make my life happy and successful.

Posted in career, Music

Balance of Life

Posted on by Jaimee T

There’s always highs and lows in everyone’s life.

And it’s not different when you work in music.

How I explain it to people, is there is no guarantee that I will job tomorrow. There’s no guarantee, that I will ever make it. There’s no guarantee whether or not anything I do is ever worth it.

Because entertainment is highly demanding and stressful, and everyone wants in.
But what they don’t realize is, it is not a glamorous life style at all. It’s not. The people that make it, are the ones that are passionate about what they do.

That’s why we do, what we do. We do it for the fans, for our souls, for the music. Sometimes it does get rough, it’s just a matter of whether how much you want it and how much you are willing to fight for it. Fight for what you want and for the music.

What goes up, must come down. It’s just a matter of balancing the ups and downs.

Posted in Uncategorized

“Let’s Talk About Sex”

Posted on by Jaimee T

Let’s talk about something that I’m super intrigued by, because it has a huge impact on the music world.

Sex

I have no idea why, we let it impact our lives so much, but it does. So let’s talk about it.

I said in before, 90% of the songs are about love; well, let’s just say, half of those songs are literally about sex. I mean really! There are some childhood songs of mine, I had no idea were so “dirty”. Example: Spice Girls “Wannabe”.

I was so heartbroken to know that my childhood was tampered with. But the list goes on people. It goes on for a very long time!

Not to say it’s a bad thing, but not it’s taken over how we imagine ourselves. I recently went back home and everyone said I look so “Nashville”. I have no idea what exactly that means, but I’m assuming it has to do with my sex appeal.

Yes, I work behind the scenes, but I still maintain an appearance, because that is important in the industry. To a point, I may add. But with that being said, sex sells.

It’s marketing, it’s science, it’s whatever you want to make it to be.

Posted in Music

My Month So Far

Posted on by Jaimee T

Wow! Where do I begin! These past couple of months have been absolutely insane!

I guess I’ll start from mid June: CMA Fest

I ended up working a promotion for CMA Fest, not the gig I necessarily wanted but it does work and pays really good money.

Side note about working promotions: The reason why I do them, it’s a super easy way to make money, meet people and it normally gets you access to the things that are going on! #workingfestivals

But seriously, CMA Fest is just like SXSW. There’s something going on at every corner of the city, and just like SXSW, you can get in to see free shows. Now that I know what I know this year, I know how to go about it next year. But I secretly hope I can work Bonnaroo next year. #yesplease

End of June: Summerfest

As I the month comes to an end, I drive up with my momma to go to Milwaukee. Yes, I’m in Milwaukee as I’m typing this. Because I worked my 4th year at Summerfest: World’s Largest Music Festival.

Hanging with my Summerfest team, I had a blast. I always do! I told all my supervisors, for as long as I can, I will work Summerfest.

Normally, I don’t like to write about artists that I’ve worked with, because I think it’s biased. But check out Gary Clark Jr. and X Ambassadors if you haven’t already!

So right now, I’m technically freelancing, still working towards my dream job, but you never what is to come in the next couple of months!

Posted in Uncategorized

Find Your Own Voice

Posted on by Jaimee T

I recently went to go see Pitch Perfect 2. And it was awesome. But there was a part in the movie that I really related to.

Beca (Anna Kendrick) got an internship working at a record label. Long story short, her boss asks for one of her demos. She gives it to  him and it’s a mash up that she created. They are sitting in the break room and she asks him what he thought. I can’t remember word for word but he pretty much said, it’s not an original, you need to have a voice to make it in the industry.

And it struck me because I was at a writers round the other night, and all the artists were fantastic. But this one guy literally, sounded exactly like Hunter Hayes.

Then there’s me. A short, blonde chick from a suburb, trying to make a name for herself in this Music City.

It got me thinking, do we need to be extraordinarily different in order to make it? Do we need to go above and beyond to make sure, no one else is like us?

So how do we go about it? The guy at the writers round can’t change his voice. I can dye my hair a different color, but at the end of the day, I’m still me.

It’s a very daunting idea that there are so many of us in this city trying to go after the same thing. Because all the top executives and people see are just a bunch of kids. Literally trying to do the same thing.

My Point: I guess it is about digging deep down and finding who you are. Who you are defines your voice. If you have a strong, confident, powerful voice, maybe it will actually get you to where you want to go.

Posted in career, It's going to be OK, Life, Music, Nashville

“It’s Going To Be OK”

Posted on by Jaimee T

When I was four, I fell off my bike and busted my knee. I acted like it was the end of the world. My mom told me “It’s going to be OK”. Sure enough, my knee was fine, but I still have a scar on my knee to prove it.

When I was 17, I lost a piano competition, and I thought again my world was going to end. But my dad, sat me down and told me, ” The world isn’t fair, and this is going to happen more and more as life goes on. But it’s going to be OK.”

When I was 18, I had a devastating house fire. That same day, I went to go get the mail, and I found out I was put on the wait list for my number one college. At that point, I knew my life was over and there was nothing I could do about it. But something inside of me just sparked. And that night as I slept on some floor, I thought to myself “It’s going to be OK”.

When I was 24, I made the decision that I wanted to do something with my life, and I picked up and left for Nashville. The struggle has been real and it’s taught me a lot. I’ve been mugged, got into a hit and run, my grandmother passing away, car problems… the list goes on. When I tell my friends what’s been going on, the most supportive ones, don’t give me advice. They tell me, “Do what makes you happy, it’s going to work out and everything is going to be OK.”

My Point: Working in the industry and living my life in general has taught me that there are going to be some really bad times. Bad times where you don’t think you will survive. So bad you just don’t know what to do anymore. But if there is anything I learned in my short time on this planet, it’s that if you want something, you need to go after it. You need to work hard and you need to wake up being the best person you can be. After all, it’s going to be OK.