Check Out Jessica Giordano’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Giordano

Jessica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For as long as I can remember I have been a storyteller. As a child I was always writing poems and stories. It seemed natural that I would choose a career where I could utilize those gifts. I went to college for journalism and worked as a television news reporter and anchor for several years. I loved that my job was different every day and I enjoyed connecting with others, but I did not like working in news. In my late twenties, I was living in Los Angeles and took up piano again to help me unwind from my stressful job. I had taken lessons when I was in elementary school and it always brought me a lot of joy. After about a year into playing piano again, my music teacher looked at me one day and said, “Jessica, you’re a songwriter.” I didn’t know any songwriters or ever thought much about it as a career, but it did resonate with me. I thought back to days on the playground in Kindergarten where I would be content going off on my own and making up songs as I kicked my legs back and forth on the swings. My entire life, I’ve heard melodies and song ideas in my head and even in my dreams. I’ve rolled over in the middle of the night to record things on my phone with my retainer in because I couldn’t get them out of my head lol. Sometimes, we don’t realize something is a gifting until others point it out to us. My music teacher planted one of the first seeds and it began to grow.

Around that time, I was playing keys on the worship team at my church where I met a friend who encouraged me to record one of my songs “Rest In You”. This song miraculously ended up in a faith-based film called “The Reason” -starring Academy Award Winner Louis Gossett Jr. and Tatyana Ali- where I also landed a job as the Music Director, despite being very green. Through that opportunity, I met a man named John Hartley, now one of my friends and mentors, who helped me connect with some incredible writers in Nashville. It was totally a God thing. He set up my first Nashville co-writes with some of the greats, Grammy and Dove Award winners like Krissy Nordhoff, Jess Cates, Benji Cowart, Tony Wood, Matt Armstrong, Chris Eaton and Josh Bronleewe. I was in awe of their talent, humbled by the experience and overwhelmed at the opportunity. That’s when I began to seriously think about songwriting as a career. I began coming to Nashville often to co-write and after doing this for several years I took the leap and moved here in 2018. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s not easy to make a living as a songwriter though. I looked for creative ways to support myself while I continued working on my craft.

I enjoy hosting, so I always had people over, which often led to me sitting at the piano and encouraging even my non-musical friends that they could write a song. Because everyone has lived a life and experienced pain, hardships, love and laughter, everyone has a story to tell! To me, it’s these honest stories and vulnerability that make for truly great songs. So I would encourage my friends to write with me, and they would be shocked that they were capable of creating a song! I enjoyed doing this so much that I started a business called the “Nashville Songwriter Experience”. I first launched this as an experience on Airbnb. I later created my own website where people can book with me directly. It’s now offered on Viator through Tripadvisor and several other platforms.

The “Nashville Songwriter Experience” is an opportunity for both amateurs and pros, locals and tourists to experience a true Nashville co-write. During a three-hour session that takes place in my home, I educate my clients on song structure and help them to craft lyrics, melodies and music to write an original song. I love helping them to bring their ideas to life. People often wonder if they need any musical training for this experience. I always tell them it’s helpful but not necessary. I assure them that if they come with an openness and willingness, we can write a song.

I like to start by getting to know my clients and sharing a bit of my own story as well. Grabbing a cup of coffee and catching up is how most professional co-writes begin, so that’s exactly what I do for the Nashville Songwriter Experience. It helps everyone to settle in and feel at ease. Songs naturally start taking shape from there with some gentle encouragement and guidance from me. My gifting is really in pulling out the gold in others. I can write a good country bar song any day, but my heart is to help tell my clients unique stories that even they didn’t know were in them! It’s not uncommon to see people moved to tears at the end of our session when they sit back proudly and see what they’ve been able to accomplish. It feels so purposeful to connect with others in this way. I truly believe it’s not just my job but my ministry, to help people feel seen and known by God, to know that their life has meaning and purpose. Music is very powerful in that way.

During this time, I’ll often share what I’ve learned about the music industry and answer questions about production, launching music on platforms like Spotify, generating income, etc.

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?
Generating income with music can be challenging. There is not just one way to do it; the “Nashville Songwriting Experience” is just one of the many ways I support myself. When I moved to town five years ago, I had a lot more freedom and time to work on my craft, go to writers rounds and connect with others in the music industry. I’m now a single mom, supporting my two-year old son. I’m more intentional about the time I spend away from him and balancing home/work life (writing when he naps and cleaning the house before he wakes in the morning). At the same time, being a parent has given me lots of great new song material! 😉

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Along with hosting the “Nashville Songwriter Experience”, I also co-write mostly Country, Pop, Contemporary Christian and Worship music.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Collaboration is at the very heart of co-writing. Whether I’m in a professional write or hosting a Nashville Songwriter Experience, I love to work with others. One person may be strong with lyrics, another might be Jimi Hendrix on the guitar. The magic comes when we draw on each other’s strengths to create something we never could have written on our own. There’s a reason why most co-writes in town these days consist of three people. We need each other. It’s hard to get stuck on a song when you have others to turn to in the writing room. In Nashville we have a saying, “are you a good hang?” There isn’t a lack of talented people to write with here in town, but I choose to spend my time with people I enjoy being in a room with for several hours. I hope others choose to write with me for the same reason.

I have some artists and co-writers I have been writing with for years, like David Unlayao, Elizabeth Katie and Terell Davy, to name a few. The ones I keep coming back to are the ones I believe in and want to see succeed independent of myself. They also support me, which is so important. We all need champions, those that get us and encourage us when we need it. I’m blessed to have a beautiful community of friends and family that believe in me and my music.

Pricing:

• Nashville Songwriting Session: $220/pp (3 hours, up to 4 people in a session)
• Bachelorette Songwriting Experience: $950/total for a group of up to 8 people (3.5 hours)
• Ultimate Bachelorette Songwriting Experience (3.5 hour duration): $1,850 (group of up to 8 people)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nashvillesongwriterexperience.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashvillesongexperience
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553880220221