Today we’d like to introduce you to Coleman Jackson
Hi Coleman, 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 grown up playing piano since I was 7 year sold, and I’ve always had an interest in film scores. My first experience working in the music industry was playing as an accompanist for my high school’s show choir. I then went to Troy University and majored in Music Industry with a Focus in Piano. I graduated in 2022 following my internship with a Nashville orchestrator (David Shipps) at the end of 2021. I learned a lot from David, and I still do a good bit of work with him now. Since graduating, I’ve been able to continue networking and creating relationships in Nashville that have lead to more work opportunities. I’ve been able to serve in many roles on all sorts of projects in my short time here, including as an orchestrator/arranger for films and video games like Despicable Me 4 and College Football 25, an arranger for various independent artists, and an engraver for an early education music curriculum. I will also occasionally do librarian (printing/prep) work at Ocean Way Studios, which allows me to be around more people in the industry that I can connect with.
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?
It actually has been somewhat of a smooth road. Interning with David was a large part of that. He’s very well connected in Nashville, and I was able to provide a service that proved useful to him. I used to Uber drive when I first moved here for about a year or so to make ends meet. Thankfully, however, I’ve been able to keep fairly busy with my own music work and haven’t needed to drive in a while. My wife also works as a freelance musician/artist, so any struggle for us would just be because of the irregularity of our paychecks. Sometimes we’ll make way more than we need in a month, but often times we’re under budget if things or slow or if we’re waiting on clients to pay, so we have to be strategic about how we track our finances and save for the future.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I first formed the business we operate under in my junior year of college in 2021. This ended up being more of a headache than anything because I went to college in Alabama and then moved to Tennessee immediately after I graduated. The primary thought that went into the formation of the company was wanting to appear as professional as possible to other people working in my field and to potential clients. I understood going in that the thing that would set me apart from most people in the industry was my age and inexperience. Obviously, there wasn’t anything I could do about that. Only time can remedy those weaknesses. However, I did want to separate myself from the classification of “student” as quickly as I could. With that in mind, before even graduating, I formed my company, which included finding a registered agent, designing a logo, brainstorming different ideas for a brand, etc.. I’ve since changed the name and logo of the company, and when I moved to Tennessee I had to jump through all sorts of legal hoops to get the entity’s domesticity transferred. It was a pain, but I don’t regret the experience. I now have a decent understanding of how to run the company (with the help of my accountant) and the benefits that it can provide.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I personally don’t believe in luck. Throughout my life, I’ve had faith that God would steer me in the right direction and open the doors necessary for me to continue on my path. Had I not been as successful in my early years, I might have considered another route. Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case so far, and I have no one but God to thank for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cajmusiccompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colemanjacksonmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cole.jackson.77770194
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13885744/?ref_=fn_al_nm_2
