Meet Don Pedigo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Don Pedigo.

Hi Don, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Music has always been a part of my life. It started with listening to my mother sing and play her piano. It was also sifting through my father’s 60s and 70s country, folk, and a rock record collection that inspired me the most. Mom played in church and when I was a teenager I started playing bass and singing in church, too. I also performed in school choirs and bands. In high school, I drove to Indiana University weekly to study privately with a student of Andres Sergovia.

That didn’t hit me until last week… what a gift that time was. Next, was my high school rock band Meemer. We played teen clubs and at the park (I’m crying laughing right now thinking about this). The band name has a meaning and to this day is a secret. Right after high school, I got a gig as a sideman for a signed country singer. During that time, I landed various other guitars for hire gigs and pit orchestra guitarist gigs in shows like Godspell. It was also during that time I chased down a few of my heroes who ended up becoming my mentors.

I’ve landed deals all along the way, but being invited to come and write for a publishing company here in Nashville has honestly been a dream come true. With that deal, I’ve also released a lot of material. Somewhere in the middle of that last part were some very special coincidences that I’m still grateful for today. I don’t believe in coincidences, but here and to me the term seemed fitting.

I feel blessed to have worked with many of the greats… and one of the things they all share that makes all of them great is there’s no bull. The fact that what we are doing now is better than ever tells me it’s the right thing. I say that because if there’s no doubt, there’s no triumph.

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?
I’m not sure I’d still be doing this if it were a smooth road. The thing about this journey, in my truest intentions at least, is that it leads to mastery. To have that I must have the miseries in order to one-day taste fulfillment. My struggles have mostly been self-inflicted, loss of focus, and unmet expectations, oh and money.

But you can cure that last one with alternative sources of income. As we create our futures, which from a distance almost looks like easy street, having an income stream, or several, allows an artist to keep their head above water. I think that’s much easier than it used to be. We can literally make our entire product from our phone now.

This isn’t really my method but where I’m heading with this is that when I was coming up in the ranks the technology was just coming available to everyday acts and now it’s everywhere for everyone. My struggles in music up until now have mostly always been being able to make the records I want when I want.

It took twenty years, but I can do that now.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I hear a lot of kind words about my words, my voice, and my fingerpicking. To describe what I’m going for; what comes naturally to me in terms of an idea to write on. Personal truths are set in stone. I write about what I know. I read a lot. I think a good writer is often a good reader. I specialize, I suppose, in heartland music.

The influences I’ve had musically and culturally are the ongoing theme in the music I make. The stories are brought about by my life experiences. Most of which are in the Midwest. I spend more than the average person I’d say spirit questing and studying spirit work. I wholeheartedly believe that part of the gift of writing is the ability to receive.

There’s so much nowadays to intake and life seems more and more demanding, I center my days around quieting the mind so that I may get out of the way of what’s coming in. I believe the fountain of creativity is never-ending. Sometimes, we turn it off and sometimes it’s turned off for us but it’s always there. Once you know, you’re hooked. I’m most proud of my family. To comment on what I think might set me apart from others; it may be an awareness that I truly don’t desire to be set apart but rather a unique voice for and with others.

Naturally, the voice and scribe for people will stand out, that’s the job of the news bringer. Would I be excited for another one of my songs to catch fire? Heck, yes! If that’s a setting apart, I’ll take it. I will also gratefully have a turn and be happy for the next one to have theirs, too. All of this goes so fast! Thank you so much for your time and for having me.

How do you define success?
A mind at peace, a smile with laughter, a weightless walk, deep sleep, and something to love.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.donpedigo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donpedigomusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donpedigomusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dpnashville
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7EYwmtnSqBPQpYsz89PD8e?si=Ku-0GK7jT1GXcfdPR0aM6A

Image Credits
Kevin Solaka