Today we’d like to introduce you to James Terry Jr.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For me, music has been one of the biggest constants in my life. From my dad being a DJ and helping him at various events growing up to always following my uncle “Slicse” who is a producer out of Memphis who worked with artists like three6 mafia, Jazzy PHA, Tela, Juvenile, and more. I was introduced to such a wide range of music when I was a kid and I fell in love with it. From there I knew I wanted to make music so I wrote songs, joined my middle school band playing flute, and eventually transitioned to playing Saxophone in Highschool. I also started to produce music as I graduated HS and dropped my first mixtape. I ended up going to TCU (Texas Christian University) and played in the marching band my Freshman year, but I walked on to the football team my Sophomore year and began to focus on writing and producing.
Throughout my time at TCU, I split time between football and music among other campus activities. I kept growing but didn’t release much music waiting to hone my craft. After graduating from TCU and having a couple of performances around Fort Worth, I left Texas to go to Nashville and attended Lipscomb University to get my MBA. Although the pandemic was tough it allowed me to hone in and focus on music after my outdoor track season was canceled. As Nashville began to open back up I went to Flamingo Cocktail club where I was finally able to be introduced to the music community and network and play around the city. Since then I have released 2 EPs (Perfect Dose Pt.1 & 2) and a couple of singles and have performed several places as S.A.M. and as a sit-in saxophone player. I am currently playing with 3 country bands and gearing up for my single and music video release of Impala.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have had to overcome several challenges along the way to get to the place I am currently. One of the first challenges was gaining credibility and starting my base as an artist. I didn’t have much confidence as I began creating and releasing music so the first challenge was being comfortable with my voice and showing people my passion. Moving from Texas to Tennessee was also a big challenge because I only knew one person here so I had to build an entirely new network and foundation for myself post-gradation with no music contacts or plan for how to grow my name.
After only being here a couple of months Covid hit and it almost felt like all the progress I had made learning the city and trying to build my network fell away. Finding a job was also tough in this climate throughout covid and I believe I applied to 105 for about 6 months before I was able to get hired where I currently work. It was tough to devote time to the music when I felt like my future was uncertain so my production slowed and I was almost in a limbo state. The challenges I face now are with my schedule and the activities, I do and balancing all of them with a 9-5. I primarily play with 2 bands Doug and the Dyin and Cowboy Killer’s band and will play with Hunter Taylor as well. I am a defensive line coach for Ezell Harding Chrisitan School, and I run the DEI committee at work all on top of my normal account management role and trying to write, produce and perform my own music.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
On my professional side, I am currently an account coordinator for GS&F, but I’m actually moving to the creative side of our production team. My specialty in my account management role was relationship building and maintaining along with doing a lot of project management. I think my personality and how I can relate to people in my diverse experiences have been a large asset to me in my role. Whether it’s talking about football, music, art, community, food, etc I feel like I can find some sort of connection with anyone that I meet which is perfect for a client-facing role. I hope that I am known as a renaissance man who has a lot of competencies from my experience in graphic design, sound design, project management, and leading teams.
Although it is an addition to my role at GS&F I am most proud of the work I am doing on our Diversity Equity and Inclusion team. I joined the team right after I started when I got to GS&F and have been currently leading it with new initiatives like doing website takeovers for heritage months (we have launched a Hispanic Heritage Month takeover that is life now), facilitating a lunch and learn, social activations for heritage celebrations, creation of a flexible personal day off for employees to use observing a time that resonates with them (ex. juneteenth, nat. Indigenous peoples day, etc.) and I am working on more projects to close out the year.
I think what sets me apart from others is the level of care that I put into what I do. I try to do the very best I can at everything I do and will be extremely coachable in the pursuit of trying to become excellent in what I do. I believe that my diverse level of interest and experiences in many different topic areas gives me perspective and knowledge that creates opportunities for my development. I think that many people will dive into one area or interest fully when I have a plethora of interests that I spread myself around in.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The best advice is something my mom told me a long time ago. ‘ You are already at a no so you might as well ask.”
This can be put into so many situations, go email that CEO on LinkedIn, walk up, and start a conversation with the person at the front desk of the company you want to work at, etc. If you are already in a space where you don’t have the opportunity look and find that door and don’t be afraid of no because no isn’t a door closing it’s a door opening in a different direction. Linkedin and honestly meeting people around the city has been effective for me. I utilized my time as a student to reach out to professionals and a lot of them were excited to talk with me and point me in the right direction.
Also, asking your current connections “Who is someone you know that I should know?” has also been amazing in expanding my network and that piece normally comes with an introduction so it doesn’t have to be a cold approach.
Lastly, follow-up is critical. You can make an amazing connection, but if there is no follow-up you won’t get the chance to develop that connection and relationship.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecreativehustle.weebly.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/simply_amazing_music?igshid=NzNkNDdiOGI=
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCvn4xFl_HplxNQg4iZ1Hh6w
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/oEUraGcYUxE11sx49
- Other: https://linktr.ee/S.A.M.24
Image Credits
Vitalii Garbulinskii @visualsbyvg and TCU Football
