Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
My mom loaned me her old guitar and I wrote my first song. I quickly dropped out of art school.
I left my apt and moved in with my sweet Grandma at 19. She let me stay up all night and play guitar.
I got into Berklee (on the second try) and really excelled in the songwriting program.
I formed a great band and learned a lot about music and the business. We made an ep.
I graduated college, won a huge songwriting contest and got offered a publishing deal in Nashville.
Wrote for 5 years, made a record and then lost my deal.. Started touring and moved into the car.
Started making enough money to make a modest living. I saw things moving forward.
Made another record. Had some big TV placements and got some checks in the mail. Hello apartment.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Wilton High School
Wilton High School
Career
Touring Singer-Songwriter
I write songs, record songs, travel, tell stories and perform music for folks all over the world.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Music
Business
Being Creative
Day to Day
It really depends on the day.. Some of my days are very exciting and amazing; I'm recording or writing or performing or traveling to a wonderful place. Some of my days are more focused on the business aspect of my job, which isn't always particularly artistic. I could be promoting a show or returning emails or giving my manager info on my shows. I rarely have days off and I probably work over 12 hours a day. I work that hard to experience the rush of creating and connecting to an audience.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for middle school students
Find your own voice and speak your own unique truth - But also, study the masters and respect the great art that came before you. A great painter doesn't pick up a brush before studying Van Gogh. We all emulate our heroes to a certain degree and I think that's important.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Jesse, you either get the picket fence and the family or the successful career in music. You can't have both."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
Learning Issues
Drugs / Addiction
