Daily Inspiration: Meet Christina Tripp

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Tripp.

Hi Christina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been writing music since I was a kid. I grew up in Nashville so I’ve been surrounded by music ever since I can remember. Everyone on my mom’s side of the family either plays an instrument, sings, or writes. It’s been very blessed to have a musical family who also shares the same loves and interests as me. I was in all kinds of choirs growing up whether it be church or school.

I knew I wanted to do something with music for a very long time but didn’t know how to pursue it once I left Nashville to go to college at UTC. I studied Nursing for 3 years and then found that wasn’t ever my calling so I came back home and finished my degree at MTSU with Music Business and a minor in Marketing. I started taking my artist career seriously around 2019. I started meeting new people all the time and I’ve had a thousand co-writes since. I’ve played shows at Tin Roof, Live Oak, Whiskey Jam, Vinyl Lounge, Flamingo, etc and I’ve released a handful of songs on streaming platforms while being completely independent. It’s not easy being an artist- it’s a lot of responsibility and a lot of hard work so I’m proud of the progress I’ve made and the songs I’ve put out.

In 2022, I got pretty burnt out, and depressed, and had the whole “mid-life crisis” situation going on. I realized that I didn’t love performing as much as I used to and it freaked me out. I thought I was always going to love performing and it scared me when my dreams started possibly changing. I thought that maybe I was supposed to go down a different path in life that wasn’t involving music and maybe I just wasn’t good enough or cut out for the industry. I came to terms with the fact I would have to change my lifestyle drastically and be okay with it if I was going to continue pursuing a full-time artist career- and I wasn’t okay with it. I wanted to spend my time doing other things.

I sat down and thought about what kind of life I wanted to live. Touring all the time and doing the million zillion things artists are required to do didn’t sound that enjoyable to me anymore. I love traveling and will always want to travel, I just didn’t want to do it while being an artist. I’d rather travel and write all the time and not be confined to a tight schedule or have to perform. I eventually learned that it was okay for me to feel that way and in turn, became more accepting of my new dreams. I thought to myself “Honestly I’ve always enjoyed writing and it’s always been my favorite part of the process of creating music. Why not just focus on that? There’s no shame in it.

I can always have my own ‘artist project’ but I don’t have to dedicate my entire life to it. I love language and the art of storytelling. I want to write as much as I can, help as many songs as I can come to life, and maybe I can even help teach others how to write someday. It’s one of my truest loves and favorite things to do in this life that makes me alive.” At the beginning of 2023, I decided it would be best for me to pursue songwriting more. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve still been writing for myself, but also for other artists in town. I’ve been giving songwriting lessons on social media and the response I’ve gotten from that has blown me away.

One of the reasons I even thought about teaching was because I thought it would be so cool if I could be a helping hand or an encourager to someone else who might be in a dark place whilst pursuing a music career like I was. Or maybe just help someone who didn’t know how to get started to where to begin or needed direction. I felt like God put that idea in my hands in October of 2022 and told me to create something with it. I’m so blessed to have been able to reach the people I have and to have made a small impact on any songwriter’s journey. Social media has been changing my life this year. So many opportunities and doors have been opened and are continuing to open. It’s a very exciting time in my life right now and I have so many more plans for how I can continue to help other writers. Glory be to God.

It’s been 2 years and some change since I’ve put out any of my music. I decided a few months ago that it was time for me to release some singles and show people what I’ve been working on. I will be releasing new music at the beginning of 2024 and I’ve over-the-moon excited about it. I feel like I’m writing some of the best songs I’ve ever written and I can’t wait to share what I’ve been keeping under wraps.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always struggles. There is always doubt fear and pain in chasing your dreams. The biggest lesson I think I’ve learned while dealing with all of these things is choosing how you respond to it and what you choose to lean on.

Faith, hope, and love might be the three strongest and most real things in the world. My faith is my superpower and my North Star. I know that I wasn’t blessed with these talents for any reason. I’m here on this planet to make a difference on purpose. I have faith in myself because I believe this is my calling in life. Because of that, I have hope for my future. I also have such a deep love for music and I’ve fallen in love with the process rather than the product which has made a huge difference in my progress.

There are always things that happen in life that are out of your control as well but you have to focus on what you can control. Do your best and respect your body, mind, and soul. Mental health practices, mindset, and positive reinforcement are something that I have learned to work into my routine consistently. It helps me stay positive and focused.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a pop/rnb/hip-hop songwriter and artist. I also specialize in teaching songwriting on social media, encouraging creatives to live their happiest, healthiest lives. I am most proud of the resilience, persistence, and confidence I’ve built over the years.

The mental battles have been some of the toughest for me. I’m proud of the work I’ve done in general. What sets me apart from others is maybe my affinity for learning. I enjoy challenging the way I write and how I write. There are always new things you can learn about music and how to create it. I’ve also always had a side hustle and am very entrepreneurial at heart which comes from my dad as he has always been his boss.

My goal is to be fully self-sustaining. I’ve gained a lot of skills that have helped me in my journey. I can produce demos, I picked photography this year, I took piano lessons, I’ve learned more about social media, etc. I love learning and always will.

Who else deserves credit for your story?
Everyone who has been in my life thus far hahaha but seriously- every person I’ve been in contact with has influenced me and my journey in some way, shape, or form and I’m grateful. My biggest credit goes out to God, I wouldn’t be here without Him and He has blessed me with more than I deserve. My family has been a huge support, and my church and my ex of 5 years have been as well.

My best friend since freshman year of high school- Coleman Sutton has been with me through this journey from start to finish. We both went to UTC and came back to Nashville at the same time to start a music career and it’s such a beautiful thing to watch us grow together. He has always had my back, believed in me, has been a shoulder to cry on, and has pushed me when I needed it. I couldn’t ask for a better best friend. At times when I had nothing, I had him. I wouldn’t be where I am without him.

Another couple of my best friends to mention would be Khiana Noel, Alexandria Corn, Chelsea Smith, Hershey Patel, and Danny Polo. They have all encouraged me, stuck with me over the years, and embody what it means to be a ride-or-die true friend. Every one of them inspires me, is incredibly talented, and makes my life better. They are dependable, loyal, and supportive of me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinatripp/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaTrippMusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-tripp-8b7a36179/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@christinatripp8615

Image Credits
Chelsea Erica Smith