10 Things to Jumpstart Your Artist Career After Moving to Nashville

Moving to Nashville to pursue your dream of writing the next hit song, filling an arena, touring around the country or producing the next smash record is a HUGE step forward - so pat yourself on the back! It can be so intimidating coming to a brand new city filled with like-minded creatives, I get it. And there is so much out there that it can be tough to know where to begin (hence why we created New Roots…) 

But as far as the city as a whole goes, there is a lot you can do to put some fuel in your career when you first arrive, because no matter how much Nashville continues to grow and develop, the heartbeat of Music City is still community, opportunity and collaboration. 

So, take a deep breath, read this blog, and then steadily work your way through the list, one event at a time. Slow and steady consistency is the key to longevity, especially in the music biz. So do you need to go to 5 events in one night? No! But give yourself a goal that works for you. Maybe you commit to going to 2 shows a week and meeting at least 5 people - Great! Then see where those connections take you. In my experience, people in this town are pretty open to grabbing coffee and getting to know you if you show simple kindness and respect. Get to know someone first before you ask for something. If you love a song someone wrote that they just performed? Tell them! Being present and showing up is going to be your greatest asset when you are new to Music City. 

Here are 10 ways to get to know your new home and start the wheels moving forward on your musical journey…

OPENING UP OPPORTUNITIES

1. Go out to Writers Rounds at places like Sonny’s, The Listening Room, True Music Room, Alley Taps and introduce yourself to the songwriters and the booker. That’s how you can get yourself booked at these writers nights!

2. Attend these full band showcases/open mics: Whiskey Jam at Winners Bar & Grill (now moving to Whiskey Row on Broadway) has made a huge impact on this town. Buscall is a slightly smaller but still awesome full band showcase at Tin Roof in midtown. The Pitch Meeting is an EPIC house band open mic at Sonny’s in Germantown. The band will learn your song on the spot - the talent and networking opportunities there are through the roof. 

3. Make time for YOU and set some goals. Taking time to take care of yourself is just as important as hustling to get yourself out there. Journal, meditate, go for a walk, and make sure you’re doing things that are aligned with your soul. When you feel steady and relaxed, you will open yourself up to receiving the opportunities that are around you. By setting 6 month, 1 year, 5 year and 10 year goals, you are helping yourself stay focused on WHICH opportunities to take and which to pass on. Not everything is going to be right for you and that’s ok. Don’t forget to celebrate your small wins along the way!

WAYS TO COLLABORATE

4. Schedule some co-writes! It will only help your songwriting get stronger. Not sure where to start? Find some writers you enjoyed hearing at a writer’s night and ask if they would be interested in writing with you sometime. Or, check out places like Briidge.ai, SongTown.com or WeShouldWriteSometime app.

5. Don’t play the comparison game! You moved to Music City, so there are going to be musicians everywhere you go, and that’s ok! If you think of the zillions of other songwriters and artists and musicians as competition, you won’t make it in this town. Nashville is an “I help you, you help me” town, so collaborate, ask questions, grow together, help each other out - everyone will be better for it. There is only ONE YOU. Believe in yourself. 

GROWING & GETTING TO KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY

6. Network, network, network - by showing up! Check out organizations like YEP, BMI, ASCAP, Change the Conversation, New Roots, Women in Music and see where/when their next event will be. This is a great way to both learn something new and meet like minded people. Also, Nashville always has incredible conferences coming to town where you can expand your network across the country and globe such as MusicBiz, Americanafest, Nashville Film Fest, Country Radio Seminar, Relix. Don’t pass up these learning tools right in your backyard!

7. Go see a concert at the Ryman Auditorium - There is so much history rooted in the Ryman Auditorium and the acoustics are out of this world amazing. Take a tour too! 

8. Get outside! There are some beautiful hikes around Nashville to take advantage of: Percy Warner, Radnor Lake, Cummins Falls, Beaman Park - to name a few. 

9. Attend a professional sporting event (Nashville Predators NHL, Tennessee Titans NFL, Nashville Soccer Club MLS, Nashville Sounds AAA Baseball) - no seriously, do it. Even if you’re not a “sports person,” it will truly make you feel a part of the Nashville community and get you in the team spirit. 

10. Eat some BBQ & Hot Chicken - it will be fuel for your soul and your body! Martin’s BBQ and Hattie B’s Hot Chicken will not disappoint!

Let us know which places/events/organizations you found the most helpful or if you would like to add to the list by sending us a message HERE! Welcome to Nashville!