Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.
SistaStrings
Chauntee: We moved to Nashville in 2021 In pursuit of taking SistaStrings to the next level. I had three jobs when I lived in my hometown, Milwaukee, WI and I was passionate about most of them- Especially teaching violin and viola to students. But the past four years have brought my passion up ten notches. Read more>>
Sean Donovan
I have no choice, really. Even if I’m performing to a room full of empty chairs, or releasing a song to a fanfare of silence, I refuse to put anything under 100% into each venture. Music is the work that I love. There will be moments where I’m feeling unwell or not enjoying myself, but I will not let those feelings seep into my work. Read more>>
James Wolf
I actually love this question! It hits close to home because I wasn’t always someone who took their time. Growing up, I was pretty impulsive. My imagination ran wild, and I had this bold (and kind of clueless) confidence when it came to trying new things. My family had a few go-to phrases they’d say to me consistently. Like, pretty much every day. Read more>>
Aaron Sanders
The truth is, my drive, curiosity, and creativity ensure that I’m always out of my depth and I prefer it that way. Just like in physical training, there’s no benefit in lifting something that doesn’t have the potential to make you fail. Growth only happens under tension. I don’t believe humans were designed to do safe things. Read more>>
Brandon Lorenzo
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: “You belong here and you’re on the right journey.” Growing up, I didn’t always see people who looked like me in country music, and there were times I questioned whether there was really space for someone like me in this genre. Read more>>
Conner Brooke
Easy- my faith and my family. I don’t know where I’d be without either one. I want to be remembered as someone who lived out my faith and loved my family and friends well because they are by far the biggest blessing in my life! They show up, love each other, challenge each other, and just make life so fun. Read more>>
Anna Corona
Yes, the public version of me is the real me. I try to stay genuine and consistent in how I present myself, whether I’m at work, with friends, or meeting new people. I believe authenticity builds trust and stronger connections, so I make an effort to show my true personality, values, and intentions wherever I go. Read more>>
Jenna Marotta
Yes absolutely. After I released my first album and I had lost about 14 friends and family members in about a year and a half time I went into a very dark place. When I released, I had no solid business plan in mind and I didn’t really take much return in the money I invested, and it took a real toll on me. Read more>>
Kelly Motley
Everyday. No matter whether I am going through something personal or professional it can still affect my business regardless. How I feel, how I move, how I react. Is everything to the people I attract and the clientele that returns. Giving up is easy. Finding someone to tell you when to clock in and when to go home is easy. Read more>>
Lisa Goe
I think we all have those moments of giving up. I had not been involved in radio for years but it always stuck with me and I just believed if it was for me, then it would show itself. Music and all parts of entertainment has ebbed and flowed this way for me. Read more>>
Sita Steele
I believe I am being called to branch out into the musical theater world. This is intimidating to me, as I have little experience performing in a theater context. Read more>>
Raena Lannom
I’m proud of building a life that I feel truly at peace with. I’ve cultivated a routine that feels healthy, fun, and makes my life feel beautiful. I love sharing intimate moments of my life online but nothing can truly capture the essence of the art that is my daily life. I find beauty in every moment and truly feel like the main character. Read more>>
Ava Wolf
My own experiences have taught me to try to be more empathetic to people’s situations and circumstances. I really try to understand why people act or think they way they do and to see them for more than their opinions or ‘negative’ traits. Read more>>
Bernadine Gunderson
Honestly, the one that I have with myself. And that’s only been kind of a recent realization. Growing up, I was made to feel very small and was kind of used to acting in ways that would make other people happy. Read more>>
Jackie Lewis
Definitely my kids and my art—and anyone who knows me wouldn’t be wrong in saying that. My kids bring so much light into my life. They remind me of a simpler time and give me real hope for the future. The kindness they show is something the world could use more of. My art, on the other hand, keeps me grounded. Read more>>
Kara Kemp
My Dog, Friends, Family, Creativity, Food, Adventure…….maybe in that order 🙂 My friends would tell you that I like to make people feel seen and create spaces where people feel they belong. That I’m a vigilant supporter of my friends—sometimes hilariously, irrationally so. Read more>>
Sammy Mitchell
I’m committed to following my intuition wherever it leads. I’ve learned to value that inner compass more than the expectations or projections of others. The process of creating music means more to me than I can put into words, I can’t imagine doing anything else. If I’m lucky, I’ll get to do this for the rest of my life. Read more>>
Sherri Cotten
A moment that completely reshaped how I see the world was walking through my daughter’s journey with mental illness and addiction — and ultimately, her death. Losing her changed everything about how I understand people, pain, and what “capacity” really means. Read more>>
Emma Hoeflinger
I tattooed my head once I knew I was heading towards Alopecia Universalis and though many saw it as me being a little too feral with that choice, to me it was putting something beautiful where I used to see uglyness. It was me taking back the control I didn’t have with my own body. Read more>>
Marissa J
It’s silly, especially at my very big age but it was actually pretty recent. I have no idea what got me through my father passing away, I suppose a number of things like family, closure, therapy, time, there were lots of factors. But recently(ish), I was rejected by a guy. Nothing dramatic or anything and it was a totally understandable situation; a blameless, amicable departure. Read more>>
Justine Blazer
I feel most at peace when I’m in the studio, completely immersed in the music, when time seems to disappear and it’s just me, the sound, and the emotion. There’s something incredibly grounding about shaping frequencies and harmonies until everything locks in and feels right. It’s like meditation with melody. Read more>>
Andy Elliott
The person who taught me the most about work is my mom. She’s a single mother who’s owned a small skincare business in Nashville for more than fifteen years, and I’ve watched her show up every single day no matter what life threw at her. Read more>>
Jason Padgitt
My former CEO (now retired) Larry Thomas at Fender Musical Instruments Corporation was the person who taught me the most about work and how it best connects with us as individuals. He was incredibly driven and demanding of everyone around him, but he led with a passion for his people, the brand value and the products. Read more>>
