Tag: Nashville

Posted in Music

Tin Pan South

Posted on by Jaimee T

So a lot of people don’t know that I’ve written a couple of songs, some have actually been quote on quote published. But I don’t want to make a living out of that. Because I know I’m not as talented as some people I know. Let’s be honest, I’m not the best. And I know I’m not the best.

But what I am good at is understanding what it takes to be a damn good songwriter. It takes a lot of self starting, self motivation and your own creativity. Some people don’t get discovered ever and some people make it over night, it’s just the way the dice roll.

What’s great out Tin Pan South: It’s a songwriter festival dedicated to ready for this, the songwriters of Nashville! This years lineup was really strong and let me just say the lines were really, really long to get in to most venues. I actually couldn’t get into two of them.

So support those who do this for a living, literally write lyrics for a living. It’s not as easy as you think it is.

 

 

Posted in Music, Nashville

“Welcome to Nashville”

Posted on by Jaimee T

Networking: It’s not only a skill, it’s something you must also be really good at, if you want to make it in the industry. I’m not kidding, the only reason why I’ve made it as far as I’ve had is because of networking and social media stalking.

Because you won’t make it anywhere without networking and a support system who believes in you. But at the same time, you have to want it, you have to want it so bad. When you want it that bad, that’s when networking comes much easier, because you know what you want.

There are a lot musicians in this town,  a lot. Some are extremely talented, some are not. An artist that I believe is talented is Anderson East. He’s also Miranda Lambert’s new boyfriend! But really, he’s got a lot of soul in his music and a lot of passion behind his music. Just listen to him, I’m sure you will appreciate his music as much as I do!

If you want to get a glimpse of Nashville, here it is in a nut shell!

 

Posted in Music

“I’m a 90’s baby, in my 80’s Mercedes”

Posted on by Jaimee T

It’s funny how we discover music. Sometimes it’s through the radio, other times it’s through social media like YouTube. Most of the time, I hear about new music through my good friends.

One of my friends is very good about posting on his Instagram about upcoming artists/damn good artists in general. Because let’s face it, we all don’t want good music to die.

Maren Morris has been around for a while,but now, is starting to get her career going. She recently opened three nights in Nashville for Chris Stapleton and she will be going out on tour with Keith Urban. Talk about making some progress, she’s on a roll!

But it’s mainly because, she’s down good ol’ country. You know, like what country is really about. Telling stories about life. Her tunes are catchy and the melody is something you can rock out to with the windows rolled down. And the best part is, she only has an EP out, which means, she doesn’t even have an album out. I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!

Posted in Music, Uncategorized

“Drunk People”

Posted on by Jaimee T

Dating is such a weird thing. Because it’s a grey area of “do I like you, or do I not like you”.  Will this work, what if it crashes and burns? But just remember, everyone is in the same boat. Everyone is an idiot when it comes to dating… right?

There should be more songs about awful dates, but I think it’s more fun to write about drunk people… right?

Ryan Hurd, an upcoming country artist in town is singing about it. As we speak. I’ve seen him perform a couple of times now.

Obviously being a guy, it’s much easier to write about drunk people and girls… right?

Yeah, I think so too. I’m lucky enough to know the guys that won’t the song with him. It’s catchy and it’s true! If there is one thing I can appreciate about the new upcoming country artist in Nashville. They are real, they write about real things and it’s meaningful. …Well I don’t know about drunk people, but the rest of country music!

Check it out!

Posted in Uncategorized

“Courage, Please Don’t Fail Me Now”

Posted on by Jaimee T

Yay! According to WordPress, It’s my four year anniversay on WordPress… Now, where’s my hot toddy.

…Oh wait, I’m already drinking it. Today in Nashville, we are having a “snow day”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s cold here… but there sure ain’t no snow! And that’s why I’m drinking a hot toddy.

But with that being said, there’s a lot of people that are in Nashville that are from the south. Which is not a bad thing, especially when it comes to music. A lot of southern musicians started singing in church. Heck, look at queen bee AKA Beyonce!

I’ve always had a thing with music from Texas. Especially Texas country. Don’t get me wrong, I like music from all different parts of the country, put Texas country really hits home with me.

I’m lucky to call my Ryan Beaver my friend. He was one of the first people I met here, and I try to go see him perform whenever I can. Because damn, it is some good Texas country.

Rolling Stone named him one of the top country artists to watch for, he’s also been on Sirius XM radio and has over 30,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

If you don’t believe me, take a listen for yourself.

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

“Forever Cold”

Posted on by Jaimee T

So I went to this event… Me, going to an event, so unheard of! (Sarcasm at its’ max!) I went to this event back in March. I had to work that night, so I couldn’t stay long. But there was this band, I never heard of in my life. They were the opening act, two acts before Scars on 45. I can honestly say, they blew me away!

The Band is called Smooth Hound Smith. They have a blues,folk, americana sound to their music. It’s quite catchy if you ask me. I’ve be lucky enough to see them a couple more times because I think they are quite good.

But the cool thing about them is the duo is  just them. Making all the wonderful music. And they are based out of East Nashville, so that’s pretty baller too!

If you are looking to check out a new band, look no further, this duo is the bees knees! Find them on the information highway!

 

… The internet if you didn’t get the reference!

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 Uncategorized

“I Haven’t Slept A Wink”

Posted on by Jaimee T

I’m so tired, I have no idea sometimes what I am doing. I forget what day of the week it is, I forget to shower sometimes, there was one day I was so tired I forgot to eat.

Why you ask, I’m putting in about 60 to 70 hours per week. This past week I put in about 80 hours. I’m pretty exhausted, but I think it’s getting me somewhere.

So, what have I been doing?

I was a PA for my friend Kyle Olson for a new reality show he’s working on. I don’t know much about TV, but it was a  good experience for me. Just working on set and understanding how the TV world  works puts me one step up. Thanks Kyle for the experience!

My recent PA gig was for the NAA conference with music performances in between. This gig was more of a business setting, but it was really good experience. I got more hands on experience with stage/sound/lighting concepts.

My Point: I’m working really hard in getting my career going, so much I’m almost pushing myself too hard. But I’m doing it to give my family and myself a better life. A life that I can enjoy the things I want to and give happiness to those in my life.

Posted in Uncategorized

The Difference between Brew City and Music City

Posted on by Jaimee T

I have been in Nashville for five months and of course being a northern, I noticed the differences between the two cities.

Politics: I never really took into consideration the “democratic” and “republican” states idea… until I moved to Nashville. Milwaukee is very much a liberal city when it comes to relationships, jobs, drinking and every day life. Nashville is “liberal” for being a city in the south, but there are certain ideologies that make Nashville conservative… especially drinking. I still believe Milwaukee is the best town for that.

Weather: Enough said… I’m not freezing my butt off down  in Nashville.

Motivation: After the recession, I noticed the job market in Milwaukee struggled when I got out of college. To this day it still struggles, and there aren’t many jobs there. I just feel there ‘s not a lot of motivation in Milwaukee to fight what Milwaukee use to be. Nashville people are wanting change and are willing to make a change. I feel that fight has died in Milwaukee. I’m hoping that will change.