Check Out AJ Gatio’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to AJ Gatio. 

Hi AJ, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I guess it all started when I got a guitar for Christmas in middle school! I took about a months’ worth of lessons and bailed because my teacher made it close to no fun and that guitar just sat around as I learned how to noodle and slowly learn chords throughout high school. I started writing songs in college when me and my high school girlfriend broke up (tragic, right?) I played football in college and didn’t have a whole lot of time for music but I kept dabbling when I had the time. I played all of 3 shows (if you even want to call them shows) before moving to Nashville for the summer after I graduated from college in 2015 (shout out Miami University for the paper) and I’ve been living in Nashville ever since! 

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 most certainly has NOT. My mom passed away somewhat suddenly of a brain tumor about six months after I moved to Nashville. I actually moved back home to stay at the hospital and help my dad and family with whatever I could do for the month or two she was in the hospital. After I went back to Nashville, I bounced around a few living situations and spent the better part of a year and a half moving around and living on an air mattress. 

There’s struggles of varying degrees along the way and all the way through today. Sometimes you’ll be playing shows out of state and have travel issues. Sometimes we make plans and God laughs at us but to make it in this industry you have to always be able to adapt. 

I haven’t had a full-time “regular” job since the end of 2016. I haven’t had to bartend since 2019. That being said, when you’re trying to pay all the bills, but also stay creatively satisfied, it can be maddening as an independent musician to keep your calendar full, but also not TOO full. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I’m most proud of is, at this point, I’m pretty much a full-time musician. That being said, I also wear a lot of hats. First and foremost, I consider myself a songwriter and an artist. That looks a lot different though now in 2022 than it did in 2016 when I first moved to town. These days, I am a track guy in the writing room (aka the guy behind the computer while we write a song). I produce two other artists who trust me with making their songs come to life. I play on Broadway a handful of times a week, while also still trying to find time to play out of state when I can. 

What truly sets me apart from others though is probably the amount of coffee I consume. There’s quite literally not enough hours in the day for me to accomplish what I want, but I’ll go down trying. 

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Opinions are overrated. We all know the saying, everybody’s got one. I take everything with a grain of salt these days. Keep a close circle of people whose opinions you VALUE and try not to let others that you don’t value clue your judgment or what you believe in. There’s a clip of Luke Combs talking about meeting with his PRO company and they someone was giving him feedback on his songs. The gist is of the story is he was told, “they’re just ok but nothing special”. Fast forward and 3 of those songs became No. 1 singles on his first album. 

Pricing:

• Demos & Full Productions – Contact via email (each project and budget are different) aj.gatio@gmail.com
• Guitar Lessons – $50/hr

Contact Info:

• Email: aj.gatio@gmail.com
• Website: ajgatio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajgatio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AJGatio/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJGATIOmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi_hmjv6jMUOic9ki8aM1GA
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ajgatio

Image Credits
Marisa Taylor