Rising Stars: Meet Aaron Berg of East

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Berg.

Hi Aaron, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have spent my entire life in the music industry. My parents have owned and operated Horizon Records in South Carolina since 1975 and have promoted concerts and festivals throughout my childhood. I started playing piano at age five and bass in bands at age fifteen before attending the New School University’s prestigious Jazz Conservatory in New York City on a merit scholarship granted by bass legend Reggie Workman. My music interests, however, were diverse then as they still are today. By my middle twenties, I had shifted into writing songs and singing, touring nationally as an artist under my name after attending the City College of New York in Harlem for audio engineering studies. While living in NYC, I also worked at Verve Music Group, prepping and releasing their out-of-print classic jazz catalog for streaming. In my late twenties, I assumed the stage name, Mountainwalker (the German translation of my ancestral family name). I began performing as a full-genre blended artist, incorporating elements of Hip Hop and modern pop into my roots-centric blend of Americana. As a bassist, I toured and performed with artists as wide-ranging as multi-platinum singer-songwriter Edwin McCain and legendary Bluegrass troubadour Peter Rowan. I worked countless bass jobs for incredible artists and working bands for hire for years while also pursuing my music before officially moving to Nashville in 2012. Other recent music highlights have included performances with Sam Lewis, Alanna Royale, Sierra Ferrell, and Case Arnold, among many others.

Today I split my music life between promoting and recording my releases, touring as Mountainwalker, and working as a bassist for other artists. I also co-host a weekly music web series with my record-collector father, Deep Stacks. We discuss our all-time favorite albums in an unscripted format, diving deep into primary source personal stories and nerdy-detailed analysis of the songs, lyrics, and music production. My publishing company is Big X Music (BMI); most recently, I’ve co-written songs with bluegrass bass icon Missy Raines, and I am always seeking to collaborate, produce, and assist other artists however I can. I enjoy the teammate role as much as the bandleader role. Truly, some of my most joyful moments have come as a supportive bandmate, such as the recent live shows I did with my neighbor, the rising soul star, Alanna Royale. Her career is booming right now, backed by her incredible work ethic, infectious songs and performances, and fiery stage presence. I’ve found the more diverse my work schedule is, the more inspiration and energy I get to bring back to my music.

I currently host the House Of Aaron Jazz Series at The Urban Cowboy in East Nashville every Sunday evening from 7:30-10 pm. It’s a no-cover jazz evening with some of the best players in Nashville. It’s like my church each week, honing my skills on my beloved upright bass, challenging myself musically while seeing a rotating cast of some of my favorite music allies in town. I also host the Mountainwalker All-Star Showcase every first Tuesday at the Tennessee Brew W0rks with co-host drummer and songwriter Heather Thomas. We play two hours at 6 pm each first Tuesday of the month with special Americana-centric guests and a fun mix of original and cover music!

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?
I’ve had my fair share of challenges in the music industry but haven’t lingered too long on any one setback. The biggest challenge of being a freelance musician is staying focused on what you truly want to achieve and not letting other people convince you that their specific ‘experiences’ are absolute ‘truth.’ This often happens when a person makes blanket statements such as ‘you can’t make money, playing in Nashville.’ I know this is not true, but it might be their personal experience presented as a cold hard fact. By the reverse token, I’ve heard people say, ‘you can never make money on the road,’ or, in my case, ‘don’t do too many things at once over too many genres.’

I’ve found that if I choose my work based on passion and joy first and then look at budget and viability, I tend to thrive more. Doing a jazz residency on Sunday has fueled my life as a songwriter and non-jazz bassist. Doing a free web series with my Dad has expanded my knowledge base of music history and kindled many creative fires. Doing a showcase downtown once a month is not a huge money maker, but we have a blast, network, and hone our skills.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am so honored and thrilled to be able to host some of the best jazz players in Nashville each Sunday evening right in East Nashville and for no cover charge at the Urban Cowboy Wine Bar. It creates such a soulful, open, neighborhood vibe. We’ve had incredible impromptu guests. The audience ranges from wide-eyed tourists to day-off musicians and fellow East Nashvillians looking for an easy place to get a lowkey drink.

Jazz and upright bass are a huge piece of my foundation as a musician so being able to play this music every Sunday for and with some of my best, most talented friends every week has become a kind of church for me.  Depending on the weather we play two sets at 7:30pm either inside the historic Victorian mansion or in the cozy, overgrown courtyard garden.  Outside there is Roberta’s Pizza Truck!

Music guests at the Sunday Series so far have included: professors Tony Hartman and Matt Lund, Mike Durham, Nate Felty, Jon Rogerson, drummer and fellow bandleader Sofia Goodman, virtuoso pianist Bryan Harrison, drummers Wendell Henry and Chris Leidhecker, among other amazing surprise guests.

Pricing:

• Coaching/Consulting $75/hour
• Freelance Bass – Inquire for Rates
• Bass/Music Lessons $75/hour

Contact Info:

• Website: http://bigxmusic.squarespace.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/mountainwalkermusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOiPYkVZRYRbTpOum5Zl_g
• Other: https://linktr.ee/bigxmusic

Image Credits
Black & White Portrait – Sara Zavaleta Black & White Studio Portrait – Barry Phipps Black & White Acme Feed & Seed- No Country For New Nashville Color Seated Piano Portrait – Stephy J. Moore