Conversations with Jason Wyatt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Wyatt.

Hi Jason, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Washington State, where music surrounded me from a young age. Many of my family members were deeply involved in music, both in and out of church. My father, who toured with The Gospel Troubadours, even had the opportunity to open for renowned artists like the Oak Ridge Boys and Johnny Cash. My early years were filled with music at school and church, and I played in several bands during my late teens and early twenties. After getting married, I settled into a role as a worship pastor.

However, a strong desire to join the mainstream music scene began to grow within me. I had heard about a school in West Texas offering a degree in commercial music, but my wife was expecting our first child and the timing wasn’t right to attend the school. In 2005, a unique experience prompted me to reconsider, and in 2006, my wife, three children, and I made the move to West Texas, where I enrolled at South Plains College. After graduating, my dreams led me to Nashville. When I arrived, I felt like a novice, unsure of how to pursue my musical aspirations. Fortunately, I crossed paths with Matt Rovey, a veteran producer who later became a dear friend.

Matt heard me perform at a barbecue joint in Franklin and offered to collaborate on an EP. It was an incredible experience with talented musicians like Brent Mason, Lonnie Wilson, and Jimmie Lee Sloas. However, I faced uncertainty about the next steps and what to do next with the EP. Someone ended up getting ahold of the EP and must have thought it was good because one thing led to another, and I found myself in a co-writing session with Stokes Nielson from The Lost Trailers, who eventually invited me to become the lead singer of the band. This marked the beginning of an entirely new chapter in my musical journey.

With The Lost Trailers, we achieved two top 40 hits, including the incredible song “American Beauty.” We toured internationally, sharing stages with renowned artists, offering me a real-life education not only in performing but also in understanding the ins and outs of the music business. During this time, I had the privilege of collaborating with exceptional artists and songwriters like Kid Rock, Dean James, Josh Osbourne, Matt Jenkins, Mason Douglas, Bobby Pinson, Sweet Tea Trio, and more.

Upon welcoming our fourth child, I knew it was time to prioritize my family and step away from the road. I shifted my focus to full-time music production and returned to leading worship, a role I continue to cherish at Conduit Church in Franklin, TN. This church’s incredible community is dedicated to making a positive impact globally by combating slavery and addressing hunger.

As my production business expanded, artists sought my guidance in navigating the music industry and honing their skills. I recognized the need for artists to embrace the less glamorous aspects of the business side, which I referred to as “medicine.” This realization led to the creation of Nashville Artist Development (NAD), a one-on-one consulting company. NAD quickly grew and evolved into Nashville Artist Development University (NADU), an artist education platform established by a colleague I met while on tour in Colorado.

Since 2022, my production company has continued to thrive, and I’ve taken great pleasure in assisting clients in developing successful careers as artists. My specialization lies in songwriting, music production, and guiding artists to navigate the music industry holistically and healthily – encompassing emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. What sets me apart is my strong focus on pre-production and the dedicated effort I invest in artists to ensure their music is both unique and compelling in telling a story. Indeed, my production company, “We the People Music Productions,” is founded on this very ethos – making music you can feel.

Within our company, vocal production holds a significant role, and we are dedicated to creating music that truly resonates with the artist. Unlike many other production companies, we actively encourage our artists to be active participants in the creative process, welcoming their input at every stage. All too often, producers create music that may sound good from a sonic perspective but fails to capture the artist’s essence, their musical sensibilities, and their brand. We delve deep into the artist’s heart and psyche to craft music that allows them to shine brilliantly.

One of my greatest passions will always be helping artists grow and succeed in achieving their dreams of having a career in music. While I’ve recently transitioned away from NAD and NADU, I’m currently working on an exciting project set to launch in 2024. I hope that this project will further empower artists to achieve their dreams in the music industry while avoiding common pitfalls during their careers.

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?
It hasn’t been smooth sailing most of the time. When I left behind a secure and comfortable life in Washington State, I had no idea how challenging it would be to navigate the music industry while maintaining my well-being – emotionally, financially, and spiritually.

The most significant struggles revolved around performing on some of the world’s biggest stages and then returning home to grapple with family dynamics and financial pressures that often accompany emerging artists. I also faced the daunting task of understanding the intricacies of the music industry.

Looking back, I would say that if I could do it all over again, I would strive to make wiser decisions that prioritize not only my career but also the well-being of my family. The music industry can be incredibly demanding, and it took a toll on my marriage, my kids, and myself. Today, I am the proud owner of We the People Music Productions.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in songwriting music production, and helping artists to navigate the music business in a healthy way emotionally physically spiritually. I am most known for my pre-production and the time that I put into artists to make it unique and music that you can feel. We the People Music Productions is our new company and We the People’s motto is “music you can feel. ”

Not only the time that we spend in pre-production is what we’re known for, but it also is vocal production and creating music that the artist truly loves, and that they are a part of and they give their opinions on. So many times producers make music for artists that they just absolutely hate. It sounds good. Sonically the music does nothing to perpetuate their heart their music sensibilities, and their brand. We get into the heart and psyche of an artist and help create music that makes them shine.

We also help Artist develop into actual music and business artist who makes money with what they love to do.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the authentic, down-home aspects of our city. I’m drawn here because it feels like a place where conservative values, such as treating people with kindness and fostering a strong sense of community, are held dear. People choose to move here seeking a sense of belonging and the opportunity to build meaningful connections with others. I truly appreciated the city when it was smaller, yet still retained the vibrant energy of a larger urban center.

It felt like a tight-knit community, and that was a wonderful aspect. It’s perfectly fine that the city has experienced growth since then; growth can be beneficial for businesses and for those who are new to the area. However, it has become noticeably more crowded, impacting the local economy in both positive and negative ways. Despite the changes, I’m not complaining. It’s my home and I’ll always love the city of Nashville.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wtpmusicproductions.com
• Instagram: @wethepeoplemusicproductions
• Facebook: @wethepeoplemusicproductions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-the-people-music-productions/

Image Credits
Heather Carpenter