Daring to Suck: A Grace Askew Podcast
Host Grace Askew dives into the life of a veteran artist. Her 15+ years of living and breathing music have left her with plenty triumphs and disasters and lessons (mostly learned the hard way) to share for all levels of creatives. From the songwriting process, to life on the road, to stories-behind-the songs, to interviews with fellow creatives on their own journey to finishing (or not finishing) songs, "Daring to Suck" is a place for musicians/artists to glean some guidance for their own path.
Daring to Suck: A Grace Askew Podcast
S2E1: Daniel Ethridge: Troubadour Blue, Unwavering Belief, and the Nashville Music Scene
We kicked off season two of our podcast with a heart-to-heart conversation with the incredibly talented musician Daniel Ethridge from the band Troubadour Blue. Our chat with Daniel took us on an inspiring journey, tracing his roots from growing up in California and Texas, the life-changing decision to learn guitar, and the challenges and opportunities that led him to his current success in the competitive Nashville music scene.
Throughout our discussion, we explored the significance of having unwavering belief in oneself and staying motivated even during the most difficult times. Daniel opened up about his experiences with Troubadour Blue, the growth and learning process as a musician, and his determination that ultimately landed him a much-coveted publishing deal. We also touched on the dynamics of the Nashville music industry and the friendly rivalry between Nashville and Memphis.
In the final part of our conversation, Daniel shared the struggles of juggling his music career with other responsibilities, and the invaluable support he received from his wife Callie during those tough moments. We talked about the power of having a supportive partner and how Daniel managed to make it through the global pandemic and back to music. Don't miss this insightful and inspiring chat with Daniel Etheridge as we jump into a brand new season of the podcast!
Outside of these inspiring interviews, Grace offers further artistic growth opportunities through semi-annual songwriting retreats held in Memphis, TN and 1:1 Zoom coaching! All details can be found at her website: GraceAskew.com
Oh, that was so formal Okay.
Speaker 2:It was I like it.
Speaker 1:Wow, okay, well, y'all, i am so pumped to launch season two of this podcast. I just looked this morning and it's been since February of 2021 that I did my last episode, so it's been a minute and I've moved three times and had a second child since that last podcast episode, so I think I have somewhat of a valid reason to put a hold on this. But when my brain started rolling with wanting to do this second season, i immediately thought of my next guest, which is Daniel Etheridge, because I've had the great fortune to write two right, we've only written twice, but I just I knew that you would be a great guest because I've gotten to know you on a personal level, which happens in co-writing sessions and we'll talk about that later But you're like a great open conversationalist, like, and I think you're a great storyteller, naturally, and I'm sure that's why you've gotten to where you are now. So I knew this would be a great kickoff to the second season, so I really appreciate you doing this Of course, of course.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and he's part of the band Troubadour Blue, which we're going to talk about later in the conversation, but I'm going to start off with some juicy deep questions, if you don't mind.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's good.
Speaker 1:So I just want to I selfishly want to know your story about how did you get to this point of having this publishing deal on the table with Curb and you've got a record deal with this band? Like, what's your journey of getting to Nashville?
Speaker 2:and where are you?
Speaker 1:from by the way.
Speaker 2:Well, i'm from Equal Parts, long Beach, california, and Austin, texas. Very cool Okay.
Speaker 1:That's right, you got that Texas part of your story. So yeah, tell us just about your journey from Texas and California to getting Nashville and like, how did that roll out for you?
Speaker 2:Well, I was born in California and so I grew up, you know, going to the beach and going to Dodger games and just being, you know, a Southern California kid.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And my my parents. My mom plays the piano but my parents aren't necessarily like musical But my dad was born in in 52. And so you know the music that we had in the house wasn't modern. You know I was born in 95. So by the time that I like understood music was it was like in sync in Britney Spears and Destiny's Child And like that was like you know, blowing up on pop radio. But in the house it was a lot of the rowing stones and the Beach Boys and a lot of Motown, a lot of the temptations and the four tops And not the Reeves, you know.
Speaker 2:And so I grew up loving music and it was. It was always in the house. And halfway through fifth grade we moved to Texas and we well, to be honest, what happened? you can cut this out if you want what happened is my dad's retired military and so we got to Texas and my dad's, like we can, we can buy firearms, And that was like no, we're a firearm family over here.
Speaker 2:So we get to texting my dad like we can buy guns, you know we, you know we got a shotgun so we could. We could go, you know, shoot pigeons, clay pigeons, all the things. And so we start like kind of collecting things And basically I'd work the summer mowing lawns and washing cars for our neighbors so that I could buy a deer rifle for deer season. And my mom was like no more guns, really. Well, yeah, she basically she was like you've gone, all of you have gone too crazy. We got here and you've like lost your money.
Speaker 1:And yeah.
Speaker 2:And I'm like, you know, 11 at this point and I have, you know, like 400 bucks, and I think I'm Bill Gates and I'm like what am I going to do with all this money?
Speaker 1:Right Yeah.
Speaker 2:And at the time, Guitar Hero was like the big video game.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And so my dad was like well, instead of wasting all your time playing that stupid game, why don't you learn to play the actual guitar?
Speaker 1:Right, that's a good dad.
Speaker 2:And I was like, okay, and so I got on the Craigslist and I bought two guitars. I bought an acoustic guitar, i bought an electric guitar, which also coincidentally started a lifelong addiction of buying and trading guitars, cause I think I traded my first guitar. I sold it back on Craigslist like within a couple of months for a profit and I was like, oh, i could buy a better guitar And it's it's truly. My whole life has been that since 11, because of that.
Speaker 1:It's 11 days.
Speaker 2:So yeah, i mean, i remember in middle school I'd like have ads on Craigslist and so people would come over to the house to buy these guitars and they'd realize that the person selling them guitar was, like you know, a 13 year old. and they're like and I'm like and I'm like haggling with them over price, right Yeah.
Speaker 2:So um so I started, i started playing guitar and you know, i tell, i tell everybody, if you're going to be a guitar player from Austin, you're either going to want to be C-Grave on or you're going to want to be Willie Nelson.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And I wanted to be both, because how could you not, you know? And so, um, i played in like rock bands all through high school and was like writing my own little big singer, songwriter stuff. And then, um, yeah, i, you know, it came time for college and I'd kind of at the end of high school. you know, i didn't, i didn't know that, like, songwriting was a profession, I didn't know you could do that.
Speaker 1:Right Yeah.
Speaker 2:And people had kind of talked about it and I had already been committed to going to Belmont in Nashville um to be a vocal performance major. So I was going to go to. I was. I went to the school of music to be a commercial vocal performance major and I went there.
Speaker 1:Is that like commercially you said, or because my sister was an opera major at Vanderbilt? actually? Yeah, that's a vocal performance major but you weren't doing that, yeah. Right.
Speaker 2:No, well, kind of. So your first, your first three semesters are classical studies, that's it. They want you to have a foundation in that. And I had grown up singing in choir. I'd done all state choir in Texas, like, i was ranked in the top three for three years in a row in high school and I, like did it, and I had a handful of scholarship offers to sing classically at at universities across the country. Wow, and my, my parents, i'm very grateful. My parents were very supportive and they're like look, if, if you're really passionate about what you want to do and you want to go to Nashville, then go to Nashville, okay, okay And so, um, yeah, you know, and I, i moved to Nashville and I was studying voice but I was taking private guitar instruction at Belmont with the guitar faculty and I was playing guitar for other students in vocal seminars and like on Broadway and stuff.
Speaker 2:And probably, like I don't know, five months into being in Nashville, i was talking to my guitar professor and I was like, man, i'm getting a really sick of playing these cover songs. Yes, you know, and it's not because the songs were bad, it's just because I wanted to, you know, play my own songs. And my guitar professor said kind of like flippantly, he's like well, if you don't want to play those songs, just write better songs. And I was like I don't want to play those songs, okay. Okay, like you know and it was because he said it to be like kind of dismissive, yeah, but I remember hearing it and I was like that's a great idea. That's a great idea, like why did?
Speaker 2:I think of that. You know, it's just play your own song, right? And so that's when I really started co-writing, because in Austin there's a really vibrant, booming music scene, but it's not necessarily based on.
Speaker 1:The song.
Speaker 2:Collaborating as songwriters.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Whereas in Nashville that's everything. So I started co-writing and it's it's funny now looking at my first co-writers at Belmont, you know Emily Landis just celebrated her first number one last year. You know Cassie Ashton, who signed Universal Records. My friend Will Stone, who's now a full-time producer in town, like all these people that I went to school with now, like we're all doing it professionally. Yeah, and we were just 18 year olds, learning how to co-write and tell stories together. Yeah, you know. And now we're here. I moved. I moved to Nashville. This is my 10th year 10th year.
Speaker 1:Okay, you know, everyone talks about it.
Speaker 2:That's the 10 year right. That's the same 10 years Yeah, 10 year town. It took me 10 years to sign my first publishing deal And you know I moved here when I was 17 and I thought I'd signed a pub deal with them for my first 12 months, right.
Speaker 1:Yeah Well, i'm just so happy for you And it's definitely. You know, you worked your butt off to get here, for sure, and you're only 27, right?
Speaker 2:I'm 27.
Speaker 1:Yeah, See, that's amazing to me. What would you say? like drives you, like what is your why? when it comes down to it, like on those days when you feel I'm sure you felt this because it took you you said 10 years and I'm sure it takes most people 10 years. But like on those days when you're discouraged, like what come? what do you come back to? Like what keeps you going.
Speaker 2:Um, if, if I'm going to fail at something to the point of quitting and not doing it, it's going to be because I decided I don't want to do it anymore And not because other people said I'm not good enough.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:I love that And you know you don't. Don't be afraid to sec right Like that's.
Speaker 1:That's what we're talking about here.
Speaker 2:I I tell people all the time I I've had hundreds is probably accurate. It Nashville small, so it might be dozens, but tons of people in the music industry. Hey, like this is cool but it's not there yet. Hey, this is cool, but just keep sending me songs. And I just remember it like, but like Sierra at curb on the A and R side, you know, i met Sierra and Sarah, who's my publisher at curb now. I met them when they were working at Disney, like five, six years ago, and I got breakfast with Sierra the other day and she's like I remember when I met you, like I thought the songs were great And you know I really liked what you were doing, which is like I remember you kind of seemed like you were mad at the world And I was, you know, like I had.
Speaker 2:At that point I had just been, i had been offered a publishing deal at one of the majors here in town and it was excited And the president of the company called my parents and said sign me and all this stuff. And then, like two weeks later, all of a sudden there was no deal and there was no contact from the act of like I didn't exist. And you know I was, i was crushed, you know, because I was, i think, like newly 21,. You know, i was still a kid and at the end of the day, now that I'm older, like, business is business and do I think that could have been handled better? Sure, but it's. It's a business, i understand, but at the time, like it, i felt like I was dying, like I felt so much shame and embarrassment that, you know, i remember. I remember that the people of that company had told my parents, right, and they're like, they're like, you know, don't, don't go crazy yet, Like we still need to sign the deal and everything, but it's, it's pretty much done. And so I told my parents, i was like, don't tell anyone yet because it's not done. And then, two weeks later, the deal is gone. And then, three weeks later, i went home because my little brother was performing in the musical at the high school that I graduated from, but he was at, and I just remember I knew the deal didn't exist anymore. Right, my parents had told all my friends, parents that I was signing this company. So all of these adults that I grew up with were telling me how proud they were of me and congratulating me and saying how they always knew I could do it And I was the only one that knew this deal no longer existed.
Speaker 2:You know, i, everyone's going to tell you like they stay in this game because they love it and they're passionate and they have to do it And I feel that way. I feel that way every day and it's it's true for me. But, to be honest with you, there's there's a large part of me that when I look at the, when I look at this business, i'm like I'm going to do this because I'm going to do it. You know, like it's just I have to. You said I couldn't. You know, you made me look stupid, you made me feel small. You don't get to do that. I get to do it. If I want to make myself feel small and throw myself in the trash, fine, that's on me.
Speaker 1:That's on me.
Speaker 2:But you don't get to do it. I have that power, You don't, And so maybe and I talked to my therapist about this maybe that's not the healthiest approach, You know.
Speaker 1:I think that makes complete sense. Like you know, personal thing that you have to go through with with the daring to suck and you don't allow others to make you feel like you suck- Yeah, i mean, you think about the great athletes that everyone looks up to.
Speaker 2:I think a lot of the greatness happens because part of them, somewhere inside, is angry. They're angry.
Speaker 1:They have something to prove.
Speaker 2:You know, i never want that part to be the majority shareholder in my brain, but I definitely let him live. He doesn't have to pay rent, he lives in here, he sits there, you know.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So is there a part of your journey that you still feel it's a little foreign or it's a little new? I mean, every artist, you're never fully there. There's not like this, this like end goal, where you meet it and you're like, oh okay, i can relax now. I feel like every artist is constantly trying to improve, right. So what part of your journey right now would you say you're kind of like? you're kind of it feels like you're doing a suck a little bit. There's so much already like well with Truidor Blue.
Speaker 2:You know we play Americana music and we tour with the Steel Drivers a lot and we're doing a festival this weekend with the Steel Drivers and Ricky Skaggs And you know we as a band though, very much kind of tread the line of commercial and left of center Americana land And so it's kind of when we're writing for our records it's a constant push and pull of what are we passionate about, what's the best song in the room today? And once we get the song and you go to start producing things you're like well, sonically, where are we going? What are we doing? What do we feel passionate about? Like what do we feel that we want sonically? You know I've spent 10 years focusing on being a songwriter And I'd really solo records and I've been in bands and stuff and I've done all that. But being part of the band every single day, that's, you know that's daring to suck every day, like every day, half the things that I say before I say an idea, i'm like this is probably stupid, this is probably a bad idea, but what?
Speaker 1:do you think? No, i've written with you now twice, like I said. So I mean you've got great ideas And I like how off the cuff and like you don't judge it too much. You know, i really appreciate those writers because typically you write pretty dang fast. The two times you know we've done it and I just I think that's what I like to teach on. A lot, you know, is you already get. This is like write instinctually and as primal as you possibly can, because that's where, like the, really the golden nuggets come from. You know it's it's not the judgment or the editor, it's, it's the true, authentic, you know thoughts that you have. So you just touched on Trubidor Blue. I just do want the our listeners to to learn more about your band as well. So tell us about your band.
Speaker 2:So Trubidor Blue is a trio made up of myself and then Eli Wheeler and Brenna Wheeler. They are brother, sister And I met Brenna nine years ago in my second year in college. Brenna is a year younger than me And she was a outsized commercial voice. Right Brenna was commercial violin. She was literally a fiddle major. Like that is what her degree is in.
Speaker 1:That's only a Nashville right.
Speaker 2:Only in Nashville. And so my my second year, i got into the Bluegrass Ensemble at Belmont, which is they've had like critically acclaimed music ensemble within school music. Okay, and when I was at Belmont the director of the Bluegrass Ensemble was Tammy Rogers, who is the fiddle player in the steel drivers.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:So that's how I met Tammy. And you want to talk about being told? no, right I. the reason I ended up in the Bluegrass Ensemble is because the directors of the country ensemble and the singer, songwriter and ensemble and all those things, they didn't want me. I auditioned and they're like you're not good enough, You don't fit this thing.
Speaker 2:I love you, i love you And you know, they told me no And I just remember I saw the Bluegrass concert, their end of year concert, and I was like I have to be in this group. This is amazing Because, coming from Texas, i hadn't really been exposed to that kind of music Right, and there was such a high caliber of like musicianship on top of songwriting. This is incredible.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So I go and I audition, i get into the group. So that's my second year of college. My third year of college. My second year in the group was Brenna's first year in the group, so I was playing guitar and singing lead and Brenna was a fiddle player in the group. So I've been playing music with Brenna, i mean on and off, for the better part of like eight years, and then in 2019, i had kind of hit another kind of valley of I've been touring a lot, i've been playing guitar for other artists and I was on the road doing that And I had some publishing deals get offered And then they got unoffered.
Speaker 2:And I got Nashville three times before, before a publishing deal ever stuck.
Speaker 1:So you know, we just got to have some grit. You got to have some freaking thick skin for this time.
Speaker 2:I mean, we signed. we signed this, this deal at curb, I think two days ago now, And my wife was like why aren't you celebrating? I need the ink to like dry on the paper.
Speaker 1:I can understand that.
Speaker 2:But 2019, basically I'd kind of hit another low where I was like I don't know what I'm doing, like every time I think it's working, then it's not working. And I was kind of hitting one of those points where I was like, oh, i don't know what to do. And so I texted Tammy, who is my, you know, steel drivers Tammy, press or bell on And I was like, can we get lunch? I just I need some advice. And Tammy, tammy has played, you know, she's been in the Steel drivers since the beginning with Stapleton.
Speaker 2:Tammy has toured with Patty Loveless, reba Trisha Yearwood, trace Adkins, amy Lou Harris, you know, and Tammy's husband has been a guitar player for Reba and Brooks and Dunn forever. So like they're professionals, you know. And I was just like I just need your advice. And so when I talked to Tammy and Tammy was like you know, you should call Brenna and see what she's doing. And I didn't know that like the week before she had gotten lunch with Brenna and Brenna had kind of said the same thing, because she had, brenna had been on a contract on a cruise ship, like playing in a band on a cruise ship, and then she got back to land and she was like what do I do Right? And so we started riding together And, you know, we were all excited, like we put out a little project And then, like February of 2020, we're like, yeah, this is going to work. And then a month later, the world ended.
Speaker 1:Right Yeah.
Speaker 2:And so we kind of took all of 2020 to just keep like writing songs. And originally there was a different third member of Troubadour Blue that wasn't Eli, and, as our friend, quentin Flowers, who's an incredible bass player and I want to say like early 21,. Quentin was like hey, you know, my wife and I want to start a family, i want to be at home, i don't want to be a touring artist.
Speaker 2:So if that's not going to work. I need you to know. And we're like that's okay. And so then Quentin backed out We had, we had, we had known that Eli, her brother, was going to graduate from college and he's an incredible guitar player in both lists. And we're like Eli, you're going to graduate from college. The world just ended. You don't have a job. Do you want to be in this band?
Speaker 1:Totally, it's perfect.
Speaker 2:And so Eli joined the band, and then, 10 months later, we played the Rhyman. So it's all worked out.
Speaker 1:Amazing. I love it. What is your take? I mean, you kind of touched on it already. I'm like the current state of the the Nashville music industry, kind of the scene there, and like it seems to me like just coming from Memphis girl six journey, you know generation, memphis girl. There's kind of a rivalry with Memphis and Nashville a little bit And I've always been like a little like, you know, arms distance from Nashville because it was too cool And but now I absolutely love the scene. I've gotten right, you know, and with so many curb writers and I feel like there's a family there And it seems like, just from somewhat of an outsider's perspective, like there is a sense of community there, like their people are supportive of each other, they read each other on and they introduce each other to maybe connectors that could help each other out. Does that? is that what rings true for you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, i think I think Nashville is a whole in my experience has always been like that. You know it's there's within any industry. There's always going to be a cool kids club and whatever. And I've never fit into that because I'm not like six two and built like Captain America, like I have to kind of find my own way. But I think Nashville has always been innately supportive of each other, because in a community like Nashville where you have songwriters that need to work together, you have to be nice to each other.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you're all in it together.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you're all in it together. You have to make it work, you have to work with one another. And then I think, when COVID happened and so many people, what happened with COVID is the people that were kind of on the fence about good songwriting or music being my profession, the people that were on the fence, a lot of them gave up and they went back home, and the people that stayed. I think we all kind of looked around and saw each other. As you know, you're talking about grit You looked around and everyone that stayed you're like oh yeah, you would bleed for this, you would die for this, and I think once everyone kind of recognized that about one another, i think everyone also leaned in even more. I love that And I think you know Nashville is back. Like you know, the world never slowed down, but the music industry in particular, i think because we had the music industry was, you know, the music industry was one of the last industries to come back.
Speaker 2:I mean yeah mass gatherings of people. people didn't really want that, And so I think people have come back and hit the ground sprinting.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And I love it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, that's great to hear. I do think that Memphis has been a clickier city historically, even just from the stacks era musicians I've talked to from that era. It is a smaller town and I feel like we're kind of a little bit more great, thrown our elbows and kind of like this is my territory, this is what I've got where I've got a Nashville, and I feel like there's such a sense of abundance if that makes sense like there's just everybody can win together, we can help each other rise, and I'm guessing it's because a lot of people aren't from Nashville you know where's.
Speaker 1:Memphis. It's everyone's from Memphis, pretty much Right. So like there's more of a transplant kind of vibe, you know where we're not from here. So we need to help each other out and figure this thing out together.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know, i think when you get any type of city where there's a creative base, that is those kind of the heartbeat of the city, i think you need to have that because it's core, it's a bunch of people that move there that are chasing a dream, and that's it's really scary And you have to make yourself vulnerable And in order to make it work And I think there's a lot of human spirit is really beautiful in that sense, when you're able to be vulnerable and be honest about your intentions. And I think when you are honest and open about that, people will flock to you And I think that's why in Nashville you see waves of songwriters and artists. It comes in waves of these cohorts rising and falling together because they have their moment. And then you know, of the 10 that rise, you know three will stay And you know the other ones. They might not be superstars, but then they'll be part of the writing community, you know, be part of records to come for years, and so it's it's great.
Speaker 1:Interesting to see it all play out. And speaking of you know, being vulnerable, i do think that's a huge skill set that you have to develop to be a great co-writer. If that's your path for any budding songwriters who are listening right now, i really would like for us to touch on that, just for advice. You know on, if you, if that's the route, like if you want to be a songwriter solely, you have to be able to be vulnerable with these total strangers. To a degree, i would say like that needs to be brought to the table immediately, because there's not really getting to know you part when you're, when you're you know, get into that writing room. There is a little bit, but like, i feel like you want to get to work and say you have to open up and not be afraid to share your ideas. What would you add to that?
Speaker 2:Well, i think. I think, in addition to being vulnerable and being willing, you know, my rule is there there are no dumb ideas, you know, because your dumb idea might prompt something and someone else, which will lead to what that third line of the second verse should be, you know. So, yes, being vulnerable. At the same time, on the other side of the coin, i think it's really important, as a songwriter, to be a very active listener in the room.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know if, if you're writing with an artist in the room and you think your idea is the best, but you're looking at this person across from you and they're not reacting to it, it doesn't matter if your idea was great, it's not right.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And there's a level of ego and pride you need to be able to set aside to be a great writer, because it doesn't matter about you being right, it matters about everyone feeling good.
Speaker 1:Joe Leathers not to interrupt, but he said the song wins And that's the best advice for a career writing situation like that where you can tell someone's not open to anyone else's ideas. Just remember that the song wins, not your particular idea, but the song.
Speaker 2:I mean, i've been. I've been in plenty of sessions, especially early on when I was up in my early twenties, where I'd be in the room with older writers and stuff And I just couldn't get a word in And that's okay And you know we would sit there for four hours and I would basically just like play guitar And that's fine, but then you know I left that room basically understanding that like they didn't value me And that doesn't feel good And just to have this moment. I'm a man, like there's a level of like man to man that people won't really cross. I've been in rooms where I've watched other writers just like completely ignore a co-writer who's female And I'm like that sucks man, and I'm sure you've seen it.
Speaker 1:Like I've never. I don't think I've ever really experienced that, but I can imagine it happens.
Speaker 2:I've been in rooms where I'll be like kind of observing it And eventually I'm kind of like hey, we have to hold on. That's like you know, and I think it is important to recognize that too. Like I have, i still have moments where people will kind of disregard what they think I might bring to the table. And you know, god knows what it would feel like if I was, you know, a five foot two blonde, 19 year old, trying to make it in Nashville, like you're for sure, getting ignored in the room and that sucks. And you know, for anyone listening to this, if you want to be a songwriter, approach every song with openness but also empathy. Like be willing to listen, be willing to hear other people's stories and then be willing to write that and try to understand their perspective too and not just use your own.
Speaker 1:Yes, I love that. That's so true. Dare to suck. I just have two more questions for you. So where can we find you playing next?
Speaker 2:first of all, Well, by the time this is posted, we'll have already played Florida, but we're playing Puntagorda. I get on a flight in four hours to play that festival And then I believe the next time you'll see me is CMA Fest on Saturday.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Saturday at 335 at the Hard Rock stage. The week after that we're playing Rudy Fest And then the rest of our summer kind of spreads out. But you can find all of our tour dates at Truidor Blues Instagram. That is T-R-O-U-B-A-D-O-U-R.
Speaker 1:OK, perfect.
Speaker 2:And then Daniel.
Speaker 1:I'll link his Instagram on the podcast caption and everything, all the info you need. I like to wrap And you kind of already touched on this, honestly, but I like to wrap all the conversations with if there was a moment that you truly wanted to quit And it sounds like you've had those valleys And we've all had I mean, i've been there too What was that thing that you said to yourself that you were like no, i just need to keep going. And again, i think you've already touched on this. But if there's anything else you want to add for listeners, we're up and coming.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So right after I graduated college I had already had one of those Nashville moments where a deal had been offered and then it wasn't. And then right before I graduated, it kind of felt like there's going to be another, like this could happen, i could sign somewhere, and then it didn't. And it was crushing. And it's funny because as a 27-year-old now I'm like I look back at what I was writing then And I was like I wasn't ready.
Speaker 1:I know that I was. I felt that too. I'm like I thought I was ready at that time.
Speaker 2:I was like I was ready But I wasn't. And I remember graduating and having several of my friends signed deals at pretty big name publishing companies and feeling sorry for myself, and so then you kind of go through that wave, but really the moment that you're asking about happened like three years later. So I graduate and I got a job here in Nashville working at Louis Vuitton in.
Speaker 1:Greenhouse Mall. Oh my gosh, i love it.
Speaker 2:And you can. First of all, when I got that job, i didn't know a single thing about anything in high fashion, so that was its own whole learning curve. But during COVID I'm working at Louis Vuitton And the store had opened back up after COVID And we had Louis Vuitton's a European company, and so they had very, very strict mask rules and everything, which it was what it was. I had to pay my rent, so I really wasn't going to complain about it, but just the people that I was like you have to think It's the end of the world. It's the pandemic. Everyone's worried about money, so think about the kind of person shopping at a high luxury store during that time.
Speaker 2:Oh, my god, i can only imagine They can. It could be a lot. And I had many weeks where I was treated worse than garbage. I mean just terrible. And I just remember I'm working at this job, i'm working a ton because I need to try and pay my bills And I'm not touring, i'm not doing other music stuff that used to help supplement my income. And so at the time my wife and I were dating We weren't married yet And Louis Vuitton had offered me a promotion, nice, and it would have been full time, basically as a manager, with a paybomb and all this stuff. And I looked at my work.
Speaker 1:They were like you were working in the store throughout the pandemic Interesting.
Speaker 2:And I came home when I talked to Callie And I was like they offered me this job. It would be more money, we wouldn't have to be worried about bills, blah, blah, like I don't know with music, i don't know. And it wasn't that I was going to quit, it's just that it would have to take a pretty severe back seat.
Speaker 1:Totally.
Speaker 2:And it was just one of those things where I was like we need money Like that, i don't want us to be homeless, and I was like it wasn't should I quit? but I was like should I put this down for a while, basically as what it was. And my wife, who I'm grateful for every day, she was like I tell you what she was like. When you're at a spot where I don't think it's working and I don't think it's going to work, i'll tell you But we're not there yet, so don't take the job.
Speaker 1:Amazing wife.
Speaker 2:And I didn't, and so I didn't take the job and I started doing more session work and demo work And, you know, the band kind of started taking off and we were touring more And I think like eight months later I ended up actually quitting that job because I didn't need it And I was making money with music again.
Speaker 2:And you know we made it through that storm, but there was a stretch there where I was like maybe putting the guitar down for a while is the best Mature, responsible option, and you know it took the heart of my now wife, who's much wiser than I am to be like. You know we're not, we're not at a quitting time, so don't.
Speaker 1:And then imagine when you have kids on top of that. it's like you have to have that supportive partner or else you're screwed Like. I'm so grateful that I get to be doing things like this and driving a natural once a week, even with three or no one year old at home. It's like I it's just for listeners who just be careful who you partner with for the rest of your life. Make sure they are like all in on your journey, All yeah, yeah, i mean it's, it's hard.
Speaker 2:My wife, she has her master's degree in marriage and family therapy, So it's yeah for all the guys out there you think you're wrong in a fight all the time. I am academically wrong, so that's the whole other thing. You're screwed. Yeah, yeah, but you know it's, it hurts.
Speaker 1:I'm married to a lawyer, so that lawyer element gets into our fights too. So you're not in the courtroom, please stop.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we don't need all that evidence. Put it away.
Speaker 1:Please. Well, thank you for sharing your wisdom and your journey and just being open with us, and I really can't wait to launch your episode. I think you're going to inspire a lot of people, so thank you so so much for your time.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. I was happy to be here. I think by the time this launches, it'll be fully announced that I've signed my publishing deal at Curb Publishing with Rodney Atkins and his first joint venture, so I'm really excited for everything in the future. Grace, i'm super excited for us to write more and work on. You know your songs and your artistry. I think your music is incredible And I can't wait to do this again.
Speaker 1:All right, well, really appreciate your time and safe travels to Florida.
Speaker 2:Thank you, all right, i'll see you soon.
