Meet Jena Yannone

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jena Yannone.

Hi Jena, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve always had a love for rock music. I remember being very young and my favorite hobby was riding around in my dad’s truck, jamming out to artists like Rob Zombie and Pearl Jam from my car seat in the back. The music always spoke to me. Now… I very quickly learned that I am NOT at all musically talented, so… I had to readjust my career dreams a tiny bit- ha!

Throughout high school and college, I would do anything I could to be involved in the music industry. I would attend concerts and photograph them – and started a blog reviewing songs or interviewing any artist that would allow me to as a random girl reaching out. I would spend hours scouring YouTube for undiscovered artists, just to see if I had a knack for A&R.

After getting a degree in broadcast journalism, with the intent to be an entertainment reporter… Covid hit. That same old story, everything stopped… you know how it goes. Fast forward a bit and coming out of covid, I did a total 180 in my career and got a job as an intern at a rock record label. One month into being an intern, the company CEO made all my dreams a reality when they promoted me to a full-time position, which I’m still in – as the SR. Director of Media & Content.

That side of the industry has been wonderful for the last few years and opened doors I could’ve only dreamt of. I’ve gotten to foster relationships with young bands, help curate their careers, and also learn from some of the most reputable names in the industry.

My main boss, Tony Guanci took me under his wing a bit – teaching me ALL about being a businesswoman and entrepreneurship. That said – We started a project together under Universal Music that is launching this October! It’s called the Berry Hill Rock House and is essentially bringing unsigned rock musicians into an amazing space to collaborate. We’re documenting the whole process and viewers can watch it on social media. Rock music is extremely lacking when it comes to “up and comers” – and we want to help discover the new generation of rock with this house, because contrary to what many say… rock music is not dead!

After getting comfortable with my career and industry experience, I’ve branched out beyond my daily role at the label and our TikTok house project. I began to freelance my services in social media, digital marketing, photography, and graphic design. With a few wonderful connections and mentors to get my foot in the door — the floodgates opened up and I just feel very lucky. I now have a roster of amazing artists and bands as clients I get to work with daily, some of which I grew up listening to in the truck with my Dad.

Freelancing truly sparked my entrepreneurial spirit, so I thought why not take a crack at management too? The group is called Stranger Boy, and they’re a local Nashville duo that I truly believe has what it takes. Working on their project and putting out the first few songs has been so much fun, and it’s only the beginning for them- I just know it!

Long story short: I typically am on my laptop 16 hours per day doing 5 different industry-related jobs… and all I can say is that it’s absolutely worth it! (So long as I have a good cup of coffee in hand *wink*)

My work has taken me to festivals I used to babysit just to afford a ticket to – travel around the country and get to make a difference in the music world as a non-musical person… which is all that ever mattered to me.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think no matter who you are and what you’re trying to accomplish, the road is never smooth in reaching that goal – and honestly if it is… you probably are on the wrong road for you!

I came into the music industry knowing as much about it as any average person.. simply that I loved listening to music and having respect for a well-put-together playlist.

I moved across the country from Las Vegas, NV to pursue the music industry and even though Nashville is a landlocked state… it was immediately a sink-or-swim scenario. The industry is cut-throat, fast-paced, and does not shy away from using the “F-Bomb” in business meetings… especially not in rock.

I had to learn very quickly how to navigate all sorts of situations and people if I wanted to survive. It’s fast-paced and certainly full-time. My phone rings anywhere from 7 am to 2 am… it doesn’t matter. It’s a 24/7 job – though it doesn’t feel like work.

I had to build thick skin straight away, though I’d be lying if I said I never once cried from the stress alone. It happens! You have to pay your dues in an industry like this and earn your credibility as you go. I very quickly learned to be as proactive as possible, and if I made a mistake to own it immediately.

Basically, just a LOT of navigation socially, while also having to keep up with providing high-quality physical work.

You learn to go fast!

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?
The title is a mouthful, but if I had to describe it best in terms of my freelance work outside of my record label career… I would call myself a digital marketing and content creation specialist.

It’s a great spot to be in within the artist camps, as I feel like I get to be an artist myself. I get to help someone who was given a platform and fanbase to use their spotlight to the best of their abilities. I always ask my clients “Now that you have their attention… What do you want to say?” I then help them to say it! We come up with plans for social media, marketing, etc. for exactly what they want to be known for and what their message is… apart from the great music of course.

Unfortunately, (and this is coming from a mid-twenties girl who makes a living from social media work) – today’s age is less about the music and more about how many followers an artist can have online. It’s really sad, but I want my clients to make the most of it!

I help them to make it REAL. Sure cool photos and funny TikTok are great to throw in every now and then… but I want their branding to be as real and relatable as the lyrics in their songs.

I’ve played the label executive role, I’ve played the photographer, the content girl, the manager, and even the shoulder to cry on after a live show that didn’t go as planned for the artist. All of these roles combined are what make me proud to work in the industry. For me, It’s all about being behind the scenes and seeing the fan’s reactions to the artist’s message.

Nothing makes me happier than standing backstage and seeing a crowd full of people smiling and singing words to songs that helped get them through the happiest or worst times in their lives. Or, reading a comment on an artist’s page on a piece of content we created together with a fan saying how much their impacted and why. To me, those times are exactly why music matters!

We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
When it came to my career and growing up… I always wanted to play it safe. I thought “Okay, I get good grades. I go to college and get a master’s degree because that makes more impact on a resumé, right?” I was wrong.

I always feared taking a leap that wasn’t a sure path to being able to pay my bills. I feared working in an industry that isn’t a “necessity” like a career in healthcare is. No matter where the economy goes- people need doctors. Now I like school… but not that much! So, I thought of alternative careers that are a “necessity,” that also aligned with my interests… and landed on journalism. If the world was ending.. someone would be on air reporting it ’til the very end, right?

As I mentioned before, thanks to good ole’ covid – my journalism career took an immediate halt post-graduation. I decided to take a leap and apply as an intern at a record label… and the rest is history.

Now – working with creatives and artists on the daily who took the leap, I’ve learned a lot. For example, money comes and goes. I promise no matter what goal you’re chasing… you will make the finances work in the meantime. Just try! Jobs will always be available. If you want to quit the 9 to 5 to start a business, DO IT. If you want to go from being a lawyer to a musician… DO IT.

This life is far too short to let paper dictate your happiness. Surround yourself with a small group of people who support you, always be open to making new connections, set small goals, and like Nike… JUST DO IT!

That being said… I recently decided to take my own advice and start a small company of my own. We aren’t ready to launch publicly just yet, but you can stay tuned on my personal social media account @jena.alise. It essentially will involve photo presets, video editing, digital artwork, and all sorts of fun gen-Z stuff, with a rock’n’roll twist of course! *wink*.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jena.alise/

Image Credits
Jena Yannone