Life & Work with Julie Delgado

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Delgado.

Hi Julie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My husband, Manuel, and I came to Nashville, I, as a songwriter, and he, as a third generation instrument builder or luthier, from a deep rooted family business in LA. We did what everyone does when they move to Nashville, start over. Over the years, the guitar business grew and grew from a home studio/workshop into a rental space, into a thriving artisan complex in East Nashville. Also, I worked over the years as a songwriter networking with independent artists & other writers, and creating my own independent singer-songwriter album. We opened the Music Makers Stage in May 2019 right next-door to the pre-existing Delgado Guitars shop. We conducted a well attended songwriter round twice a month with a steadily growing audience. Also, we hosted several showcases and were introduced to the Americana Music Association, considered for their venue list of the International conference event for the following Fall.

Then, in March 2020, East Nashville suffered a tremendous tornado catastrophe. Fortunately, we were blessed not to experience any of the damage that our neighbors experienced. However, it did postpone shows in the meantime. The following week, the whole nation, and world, shut down because of COVID-19. As with most people, this forced us to reevaluate and salvage what we could of the venue space. We persevered through the quarantine, and as a small family of four, banded together to produce a musical live stream as a community outreach to local artists. We continue this live stream today. Now, incorporating a live intimate audience with a simultaneous live stream to showcase Nashville’s talent. The show is called “Live from the Music Makers Stage”.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Not a smooth road…..we’ve found that in a world of creatives in the town of Nashville., you not only have to be creative in your art, but also creative in your business approaches. You’re constantly having to change your angles, project what your audience will desire, and take risks. Nashville is Music City. There’s a lot of competition, and you have to find what sets you apart from the rest of the crowd. We’re developing a new interesting format for the venue for the coming months, to do just that, separate our venue from the other venues in town and offer the audience something different. You’ll have to stay tune to find out….

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I came to Nashville to be a songwriter, so I meet with other writers and work with a lot of other creatives, and musicians. Booking the venue, I communicate with a lot of other musicians/artists. Also, social media plays a big part of getting the shows promoted and organized. I think we are most well known for being a small intimate unique business and entertainment space. My husband, Manuel, handcrafts all his instruments. And the venue space brings about a very cozy familial feeling to audience members. It truly is an extension of our home and culture.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Collaboration, music is a very creative business, and a lot of times, those creators work independently. But, being in Nashville, collaboration is key. You need to be able to work well with other people for a common cause. It’s not a “me” business, it’s a “we” business. So networking and growing your network is essential, and also not only knowing a lot of other people that do what you do, but also getting into and/or creating your own a type of camp or tribe is beneficial.

Pricing:

• For rental of the venue space – $150.00 With a 4 hour minimum
• For attending a live show at the venue space -a cover charge dependent on the show usually $5-10

Contact Info:

• Email: musicmakersstage@gmail.com
• Website: www.musicmakersstage.com
• Instagram: @musicmakersstage
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/musicmakersstage
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/delgadoguitars
• Other: www.juliedelgadomusic.com

Image Credits
Michael Weintrob
Brett Berwager