Today we’d like to introduce you to Schaefer Mueller.
Hi Schaefer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Chesterfield, Virginia, where he was raised on the sounds of Jimmy Buffet and influenced by songwriter Corey Smith. As a child, I would sit on the bay and play for my family, but I made them face the water and play to their backs because I didn’t want anyone to see me sing or play. I attended Old Dominion University, where I left 30 credits shy of a Civil Engineering degree to serve the United States Army. While in training, I went through a divorce after only being married for a long 3 months. While in Afghanistan with the 4th brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, I used my time without phones or technology to write songs and music. I was a 12 bravo Airborne Sapper and deployed with Bco 501st Airborne Infantry Regiment. After returning from deployment, my fellow soldiers convinced me to attend an open mic night and invited my now-wife to come out and watch. With the support of my wife and friends, a few gigs here and there quickly became a full-time job of playing in bars, black tie events, and private parties across the United States after I left the Army.
I have played for senators and governors from Alaska to Virginia and opened for Granger Smith during his USO tour! I reside in Haughton, Louisiana, with my wife, active Air Force, and my 4-month-old daughter. I am focusing on medical school and recently received a NASA grant to perform research at LSUS. My wife sets up a lot of opportunities for me. I just recently became an Operation Encore artist. While a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, I pitched two of my original songs to put blushers, and they have both been picked up. As I write this, I’m currently on a Sip Local Acoustic Tour booked by my wife to promote local breweries, wineries, and drinking spots while promoting my newly recorded songs by Rosewood Studios in Tyler, Texas.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
Playing music in Alaska is the easiest. It comes and pays great! I played one open mic night and was asked if I had three hours of material. Without hesitation, I said yes, not knowing if I did or didn’t. I was placed on a six-month contract and eventually was handed gigs 4 nights a week. Since my wife is still active, we had to move for her job. The hardest thing about playing music is moving to a new location without your following or support system. It took a good year to have consistent gigs in Louisiana, and I’m finally breaking into Texas and Oklahoma. I wouldn’t say a smooth road, but it has been some work networking to get to where I am now.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a 100% disabled combat army veteran, so I work full time as a stay-at-home dad and a nightly self-promoted singer-songwriter. I am most proud of creating my little girl. She is my world, but also getting that recognition from NSAI in Nashville. Knowing that people like and enjoy my songs makes writing them and performing them live worth all the time I have put into it. What sets me apart from others is that I’ve seen a lot of things in my life; I’ve been in combat, I like drinking, and I know when a song is bad if I’m writing it, and I will refuse to share it. I might not be much different than many other people out there.
Any big plans?
We have always wanted to start a gym. CrossFit has been a part of my life since I was a teenager. I have a passion for that as much as I do playing and singing. I don’t plan well for the future. I just deal with things day by day. I hope my music picks up and starts paying me so I can pay my bills. I have recently started a band, The Neon Highway, and we have our first big show in Louisiana at Hurricane Alley on September 8th and again on November 26th. For now, I’ll continue to play acoustic gigs whenever I can. I will be moving soon as my wife is Active Air Force and has just been notified of a new assignment! I won’t say where yet as to not jinx things. I am very excited for my new adventure and move summer of 2023!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/SchaeferMuellerMusic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schaefermueller/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schaefermuellermusic/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCgsfkeAtevrzRw-7ITt6d9w
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7HSoukjmV3tJL8XXUya5Nv?si=ddtynVOLRYy-ueekjhVzXw
