Rising Stars: Meet Gabe of Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabe

Hi Gabe, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I can’t share my story without first expressing my gratitude to the remarkable Carmona musicians who have paved the way for me. I pay homage to their contributions at every opportunity, acknowledging their influence on my journey. My passion for music started in my early years and led me to tour as a dedicated musician and director. In 2001, I had the incredible fortune of being part of a Grammy-nominated band, a milestone that solidified my commitment to this art form.

Over the years, I have focused on my quest for improvement, engaging in a continuous pursuit of mastery that includes both performance and composition. This relentless drive to refine my craft has allowed me to attend and even host master classes in musical theory and music production, including representing as a featured artist for brands such as Yamaha and Korg as a music producer, composer, sound engineer, and recording artist.

Throughout my career, I’ve prioritized giving back to the music community that has nurtured me. I take great pride in sharing my experiences and insights with aspiring producers and artists, particularly in areas such as music theory, songwriting, and the intricacies of the music business. Teaching these fundamentals not only fuels my passion for music, but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration within the industry not often found. I’m happy to do it.

Reflecting on my journey, I am incredibly grateful for the paths I have traveled and the countless talented artists I now have the privilege of calling friends. Each collaboration and shared experience has enriched my life, further inspiring me to continue growing both as a musician and as a mentor.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My musical road has definitely had its challenges. Like any creative journey, there were moments of doubt and times when I felt like I wasn’t moving as quickly as I wanted. Early on, balancing my passion for music with the realities of the personal goals side of things was tough. There were financial struggles, which I’m sure many musicians can relate to and it took time to find the right people to collaborate with and the right opportunities to showcase my work.

Attending master classes and consistently refining my skills helped me overcome many challenges and really taught me a lot about myself and my adaptability to be transparent, but there were still plenty of moments when I had to push through self-doubt and setbacks. For instance, I needed to learn about contract details, publishing, and performance rights. The hardest part was often staying focused and motivated when things didn’t progress as quickly as I had hoped. Looking back, I now understand the importance of patience, adaptability, collaboration, and keeping the faith above all, and I applied these lessons to help advance my music career and media company forward.

That said, every struggle taught me something valuable, and I’m grateful for the experience and the lessons learned along the way. It’s all been part of the journey that’s helped me get to where I am today.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Technically, I am a versatile music producer, recording artist, audio engineer, and composer with a dynamic career that includes roles as a touring musician, musical director, masterclass instructor, and musician spotlighted by Korg and Yamaha with over 20 years of live performances and solo events. In 2001, I had the privilege of being a Grammy-nominated band member. Although I do not have a Grammy today on my shelf, I still carry the love and passion for the art of music. Today, I collaborate with musicians from all over the world and create customized music productions for media companies and artists, both signed and independent.

Currently, I own 88k Media®, a company that specializes in crafting evocative compositions for sync licensing and branding, as well as for media companies such as National Geographic, Discovery Channel, History Channel, FX, and many others, as well as recording artists. My versatility allows me to blend various genres seamlessly, creating music that enhances storytelling across multiple platforms. So whether it’s Reggae, R&B, Smooth Jazz, Salsa, Latin, Country, or even Christian/Faith music, I truly feel blessed to be on each project that crosses my desk.

In fact, this year, I plan to release several albums within the genres: Latin (Reggaeton), a Salsa album in collaboration with musicians from Miami, which will be dedicated to the Carmona Legacy Musicians, several Country songs by June 2025, and multiple Christian/Faith songs by Summer 2025. Those that follow my career can also view sneak peeks and behind the scenes footage by following my socials. So much planned for 2025!

Personally, I’m just a kid from the Bay Area (San Jose) who loves to create! As a passionate creative, I fully understand my gift of music, the ability to connect with people from all walks of life, and inspiration is truly God-given. I am forever grateful for his love and direction.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, you could find me around the family band practices or in the studio. I know, it’s a total cliche. Outside of music, growing up, I was often described as somewhat of a grump—apparently, I could be found frowning at any time of the day. Thankfully, that’s in the past. Today, my personality reflects that of a true musician and pianist; I am consistently searching for new levels of excellence and willing to invest the time needed to learn. Looking back, though, I realize I was interested in many of the same things I am today: music, history, travel, photography, and even more music. Although my wife may disagree that I’ve left my grumpiness behind (at times), my passion for music and life remains strong.

Crazy to think that kid from the Bay now holds a double-masters degree (MBA and MHA), an undergrad in leadership and management (other passion areas for me), and is completing my Doctorate in Healthcare Administration by the Summer of 2025. God is good, I tell ya! Also, I want to give a special shoutout to my wife for always believing in me and our future. I adore you mama.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gabecarmonamusic.com/
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/gabecarmona
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gabecarmonamusic
• Twitter: https://x.com/gabecarmona88k
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/gabecarmonamusic
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gabecarmonamusic
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0zhlyEArgTJHy07Hy8ZtQ2?autoplay=true&v=Ahttps://open.spotify.com/artist/0zhlyEArgTJHy07Hy8ZtQ2?autoplay=true&v=A