We recently had the chance to connect with Dale Shack and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dale, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Something I truly believe most people struggle with is a sense of identity that comes from a community. As independent as some of us are (like myself) we all crave to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. Community has sadly become something that has been left behind in our more recent decades within our society and has left a great sense of loneliness and being lost among the crowds. Community can come from all kinds of things whether that be common interests, backgrounds, heritage, or just simple location. So many people battle with having a support system that is truly there for them in thick or thin. However, finding the right community can build not only your contentment but also your confidence.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Dale “Shack” Shackleford, a independent recording engineer and producer. Originally from Oklahoma, I come at production from being a fellow songwriter and lover of the creative process. Tribal citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, I was thrilled when my dreams to follow music production has taken me back to my family’s homelands and it is something I constantly am thankful for. Through family, friends, and tribal support I was fortunate to spend several years at MTSU gaining both Bachelor and Master degrees in audio production and engineering. This has led me to working with many great artists who I have loved being a part of bringing their music to life.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Though it may be the same answer for many people, my grandfather was the one who taught me and inspired me the most to work hard. As a young child I was rather lazy and though I was interested in the work being done with both my father and grandfather, I had little drive to stick with seeing it through and would rather go sit in the shade or find something easier. We always had a handful of large gardens in Oklahoma that fed our family both during the growing season and later in the year through canning but in the near droughts that meant a lot of hot days spent in the sun. I can recall a turning moment when I was 10 or 11 when working with the two of them where we stopped for a drink (their first, but only one of many for me) where my father made a comment to my grandfather saying something to the effect of “all this boy does is want to take a break and drink water”. This was said very much in love and my mind reeled fear at the thought of disappointing my grandfather. I am so thankful for both of their examples that there is always work to be done and no reason to stop until it is completed nor is there any reason to complain about things we cannot or will not change. His example continued throughout the rest of his life where even two weeks before his death he was on his roof cleaning his chimney and taking care of the people he cared about. I can only aspire to be a small reflection of the man that he was.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Leave pride to the side, shut up, listen, and be humble. Pride and arrogance is no one’s best friend and can destroy a person before they ever get started. Humility was something I struggled with when I was younger but was a lesson needing to be learned. It is a lesson each of us need constant reminders of as well. While confidence is a good and necessary thing, “pride goes before before destruction”.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes and no. Every person on planet earth has portions of their life that so few people see. Our closest friends get to see more slices that anyone else yet even they do not know the entirety of our being. Sometimes we hide things on purpose and sometimes its because that portion of our life is now history and not relevant or bringing in new things to present to the world. In either case, a person cannot be boiled down to a few key factors nor displayed in full for the world to see in a few short moments in public or online. For me, I try my best to be the same person around everyone while also knowing that different groups of friends will see completely different sides of me. I once wrestled with the idea of not knowing who I was because I found myself feeling dramatically different around each group of people, however as I’ve grown I’ve realized that it is all of those different slices that make up the entirety of the person that is me. Each of those are me. The public will never see all of that, but I do my best to represent each community I am a part of as they are all a part of me.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
What would remain is me. As simple as that is it is the truth. I have always believed in not trusting your possessions or even social status to understand who you are. Who I am is built on the relationships with people around me and the knowledge and skills learned. Even if i lost every physical thing in my life, my name, and the roles I have been fortunate to fill, I still will have confidence that God will provide, confidence in the things I have been able to learn, and confidence in the trustworthy people around me. These are things that no one can take from you. If my career suddenly were to fail I have trust that other opportunities will arise or I will position myself to make new opportunities where none existed. What remains is the character of the person inside, the confidence and faith they have, and the tenacity to keep trying.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://daleshack.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daleshackofficial/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-shackleford-696342249/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaleShackOfficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dshackmusic
Image Credits
Brad “BL” Joe, Michael Bobo
