Do This Before Moving To Nashville.
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- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- Nine helpful tips to set you up for success if you are thinking about moving to Nashville as a musician. For musicians already here, let me know in the comments if I forgot anything!
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Moving to Nashville for music isn't for the faint of heart. If you can get here with both barrels loaded, it only increases your chances of getting your career off the ground a bit quicker. Appreciate you all checking the video out.
Please like and subscribe!
-Nicky V
Even if you don't plan on doing Nashville, all of this advice works just for getting your life in order.
Appreciate you checking the video out.
I just said the same thing & then I saw your comment. Yes, I agree!
Having that one person who believes in you is essential to success. Thanks for these videos
That’s the big one right here. It’s easier to sell somebody else other than yourself
Every year we'd watch the Spring migration of hundreds (thousands?) of new musicians, showing up in hopes of making their mark and every Fall there would be a massive migration of musicians leaving town, deciding it wasn't for them. Being an independent musician is not for the faint of heart. You're in essence starting your own business. So many of your tips are spot on for how to prepare to do that. The competition is incredibly stiff and you need to be extremely talented, versatile, adaptable and great to get along with. And it will be a reality check for a lot of people who aren't as good or even as charming as they thought they were. A lot of Nashville musicians are super cool because they're really good at self-evaluation and making the adjustment on how to be both a better musician and a better person. It will also humble you because no matter how good you are, there's always someone better than you and you have to learn to cope with that and not be discouraged. Just do the best you can do, be the best version of yourself you can be and if that's really what you're supposed to do in life, it will come together for you. Thanks for sharing these great tips!
This is a fantastic comment. Absolutely spot on and thank you for sharing! Appreciate you checking the video out.
@@NickyV You bet! Rock on man!
“Don’t have your name in the neck.” was a personal attack. My two Sadowskys and three Fenders laughed audibly at my two Ritters.
As always, full of wisdom and spot-on.
Blahahahaha I didn’t know they had your name in the neck. I thought they had Ritter in the neck lol. Was more so talking about the big block mother of toilet seat letters in the fretboard.
You get a pass because you are an actual rockstar
I actually laughed at that comment too. All I could see were those 80's BC Rich guitars with all the points & sharp edges. They were usually florescent just like my thumbnail. Ha...
My great uncle moved to Nashville in the 50's from the Northeast. I went down there with my wife the 2nd year we were married in the mid 80's. Before going to Printer's Alley and Ryman Auditorium (O.G. Grand Ole Opry). We went to visit my grand uncle for lunch. He had his friend come over who told us he was the Chief of Police, and was going to give us a ride around town in his police car after lunch. I am thinking to myself, this is going to be like riding around with Andy of Mayberry. Wow, we were both surprised how Nashville was a real City. Definetly do your homework. Tho Nashville was not the musical mecca and epic center it is today. It certainly was an eye opener, as well as an ear opener.
That’s a cool story! Thank you for sharing and checking the video out. I’ve heard it’s changed a lot, most complain about it but I have nothing but great things to say about Nashville. The city and the people here have been great to me.
Im 45 and making the move ..I really wanna stay busy playing Broadway for a Living so I know thats my ultimate Goal . I found that is what moves me and it makes sense because I am a Jam Band kinda Guy , There is peace in knowing Your Goals and Expectations. Your Channel helps so much and I Thank You Kindly ..Please keep it up
Love it man. So glad you found it helpful and appreciate you checking the video out
dude making any career move at 45 is no small feat....I did that in the film industry and when the phone stops ringing for you previous position and it's not ringing off the hook for the new position...it's downright terrifying.
I was lucky enough to have a successful producer hip me to work in Nashville back in the 90’s, there was no social networking back then, I learned real quick you had to be an excellent reader, 6 figures saved up and not have any dependents, I was trying to commute from Chattanooga but that wasn’t the way to do it, good luck to all with their dreams and endeavors, remember to have lots of cash saved up, great videos and kudos to you young people trying to play music for a living
Solid advice. Thank you for sharing and the kind words
I keep coming back to your channel...I'm not even a country player per se although I grew up with country music and my Sister and B in Law played with big Canadian acts. I come back because I love to hear you talk about what it takes do be a pro in the business and make a real living. I have to say my hat's off to players trying to even just make a solid living in the music business. I only ever played in weekend bar and college bands and just for fun...the pay barely covered Beer and gas money...let alone a new set of strings once in a while. All you players out there you have my utmost respect.
This is very kind of you to say. Appreciate you and so glad you are enjoying my ramblings haha.
Great info. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Another great video Nicky! As a Bassist I always have a P Bass with me no matter what! Leave the pretty stuff at home and make sure it's passive or at least switchable. 🎸🎸🎸🤘🤘🤘
I thought it was funny how we talked about this yesterday randomly…an hour after I shot this video
@@NickyV oh I couldn't agree more. I thought the same lol
another tip for you. If you switch from active to passive make sure you have a setting on your board to compensate for the level loss. Happened to me once... Won't happen again lol
If folks don’t listen to anything you’ve said before, they better listen to this video. You’re a smart guy moving here with 6-9 months income . That takes a ton of stress off. Planning and preparation is half the battle. I like your advice about learning tons of songs before you move. Many have a timeline goal as well if they’re young. Say if I haven’t made it by early 30’s, get a career job and do music on the side so one could start a family and a future. The only thing worse than being a broke young musician is being a broke old musician. Nashville hasn’t been as kind to elderly musicians as hot young ones.
Really appreciate you commenting and checking the video out man.
Lot's of wise advice. I'm 30 years in Town and remember when our band drove around Davidson County, doing exactly what you suggested. Twas a very different world here then. Cost of living was super reasonable. We're the wave of folks who've kinda "hit the lottery" with our homes. Still the best practical, musical classroom and song writing situation, in the solar system. (FYI Prince's is the origional hot chicken. In case it comes up in conversation when you're here. lol)
Haha right on. I’m a hot chicken connoisseur…preach that gospel
Class act. I am not intending to move to Nashville, nor to live off music (Been called a drummer at times), but - I enjoy your videos because your core philosophy applies in many other places, and in many other industries, including software design consulting! -- which is my main gig. Cheers from the FL swamp!
Man, really appreciate the kind words and so glad you enjoy the videos!
I have no interest in moving there, but I really enjoyed this video! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Right on man. So glad you enjoy it and thanks for checking the video out!
Great advice for any creative career. Thank you.
Thank you! Appreciate you watching
Love your videos; just discovered them. I’m in Nashville (not music biz) and I really had no idea what goes on with studio musicians. I am glad folks like you and others continue to make great music, but my goodness….what a hard way to make a living. Look forward to future YT videos!
Appreciate you checking the videos out! Glad you enjoy it :)
Cool - nice to listen, lots of practical advice for some of us who might feel like we're stuck as lazy wanna be people that just keep watching youtube vids and never really get around to actually doing all of the amazing and practical things you recommend. Thanks for capturing so much good stuff in a short video. Maybe do a video on your perspective of the Nashville 'Christian' music 'circus', the way you see it - that would be interesting to check out. We moved from CT to TN (rural, NW TN) about 2.5 yrs ago and I work from home - non musical work, but I play trumpet for fun and I love it, but I can't read charts that good, ha ha - so I'm screwed when it comes to being a real trumpet player, but who cares, I'm enjoying life and my kids like listening to me play. Have a great day and keep up the good work, Nicky V.
Man thank you so much for sharing that and so glad you enjoy the videos. I play on a ton of Christian music but am not really tied into the scene. Might have to bring a guest or two on for that one
Used to live in the area. Not a musician myself, but all of this is sound advice. ;)
New Subber!
Just watched your " Hellion" vid.
Truth is needed!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!
Great information, Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
I have always enjoyed learning from you. You have helped me out a ton. Thank you
Absolutely love hearing that. Thank you
Love your videos. Great to hear the real deal information from someone who is currently doing it
Thanks for the kind words and checking the content out!
@@NickyV Are your elephant lick videos available at another site?
@@goldsmithrsno I just have them here on RUclips from years ago haha
Thumbs up for "FSO" alone. So true!
That topic honestly needs its own video haha
Fender Shaped Object. That's outstanding. 😂
So unfortunately true haha
Very fascinating once again👏👏👏👏
So glad you enjoyed it
Great insightful video Nicky. I would be cool if you could do a video about all your guitars and gear
I might do a studio breakdown. I’m not much of a gear hoarder…pretty much just buy what I need and if it doesn’t get used it doesn’t last long haha
Great video. A no nonsense and straight to the point video. Nice
Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it
great stuff. very good points
Thanks for watching!
Again, another great video of great information in a brief, bright and relevant manner. Great stuff!!
You are too kind. Really appreciate it
Really enjoy your content. Liked and Subbed - Cheers, from Texas
Killer! Thanks man
The thing that surprised me about some of the Broadway bands was that they had their phones mounted to the mic stand. They were staring at the phone reading the chord charts.
Yup. Some cats know every song called and some “play the iPhone” haha
I would consider reading charts on a cover gig the same as playing an 80s Kramer pointy guitar at the local 10 gallon hat bar downtown. Learn what's hip and let it rip.
Takes the "human jukebox" concept to another level.
Good advice for self employed people wheither they are musicians or in any other line of self employed line of work. If you get paid cash deposit the money in a checking account. That way if you do have to apply for a loan you can use bank deposits as proof of income. Good advise from Nicky V. That's also coming from a guy who has helped people that are self employed get the car loan they needed to continue their dreams. As Always TRay's Diggin' It. (Now retired after 46 years in the car business and going to work part time at Bass Pro Shop). PS...The janitorial jobs were already taken at the local Guitar Center. Damn.
Yes sir. Dead on the money. Appreciate you commenting and catching that. Thanks for the continued support
@@NickyV The janitorial jobs were already taken at the local Guitar Center.
haha FSO amazing, thank you for your videos and time!
Haha right on man, thanks for watching
so excellent. nice production values.
Thank you! Really appreciate it
Such great advice!! Awesome info on this channel!!
Thank you! So glad you enjoy it
FSO. Love it!😊
Hahaha a bassist named Roy Vogt taught me the term
@@NickyVRoy is the man!
FSO. Amazing and true in Austin too
Hahaha might be universal
I like to play solo Acoustic originals !! 👍
This is gold!
Appreciate you checking it out!
I have had nothing but good luck in Nashville👍
Love hearing that, I feel exactly the same
Great video. I would have recommended Thai Kitchen in Berry Hill tho ;) jk. Baja is great!
Hahaha also a money move
Solid advice, again!
Thanks man!
Great info!! Now…. Back to da woodshed!🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
I need to get off here and practice too haha
Great video! Is the idea of a FSO so the musician blends into the background?
I’m guessing that the idea is that it’s “standard” and everyone knows the sound will fit.
I’m honestly not sure…I think it’s a psychological thing because people hear with their eyes. There might also be a familiarity aspect to it.
I wish our music was played in Nashville. Thanks for the info!! :) No Serial Killer.
Thank you very informative
Glad it was helpful!
Great info!
Glad it was helpful!
Really enjoy your videos. Thank you for posting.
Please tell me what app do you use to download songs to learn
I currently study with a well-known guitarist, but we don’t work on songs.
I don’t know many covers and seem to have a hard time learning them as I’ve been working on the second half of the guitar solo for sweet child of mine for a while now
Learning the chords to a song is obviously much easier than learning all the solos and melodies.
So much to remember, how do you do it?
I just use the RUclips slowdowner if something is too quick for me to catch by ear. Now there’s all kinds of AI that can take a song and remove the guitar parts so you can learn the isolated parts and jam in the mix without them as well. Logic now has that feature on their most recent update
Haha! Yes! I too am a big fan of the slowdowner feature!
What would be the best time of year to come just knock around Nashville for a month or two? I don't see myself moving anywhere. Cheers Nicky!
Summers are very busy…winters are a little slower. Music all year though
I would say just do it,,,come to Nashville if you want to give it a shot,,,in Hollywood I was the best songwriter of the night,,,in Nashville you won't be,,,but you will fit in somewhere,,,
Great advice Sir.
Glad it was helpful!
Before I can get into some music gigs (hopefully I can), what do you recommend someone do? I saved up a few months worth of of rent/food, but what 'day job' should I get? Service industry? Serving/waitor? can people survive in Nashville like that? Thank you!
I’m honestly don’t have much experience on that side of it. I know people do both juggling a day job and music if they can find something with flexible hours that doesn’t wear them out too much. I’m not sure on this but DoorDash/Uber and things like that might be a good way to pay the bills and work your own hours.
Really interesting content Nicky! Just a quick question, do the majority of musicians come to Nashville to work as session players or is there an original band scene that becomes a draw for guys looking to form a band?
There are more people here playing live than are coming here for studio work for sure. Tons of bands form here and take off on tour. I’ve always stayed more the hired gun route myself just to not have all my eggs in one basket
@@NickyV I'm a photographer so I can draw many similarities from what you're saying! Thanks Nicky, much appreciated.
@@cliveshalice8490 Absolutely! I've heard that a few times...industries have a lot of parallels.
I love this
Nice! So glad you enjoyed it
@@NickyV I use the UAD plugin a lot. Looking forward to getting the real thing one day, looks like the Behringer will be close enough
FSO!!!! Love it!!!
It’s crazy but unfortunately true haha
I visited Nashville about 5 years ago. As a drummer I couldn’t believe the number of female drummers there were. They totally had their chops together. The other thing was, is that most if not all could sing lead and/or do harmonies. That is important no matter what sex you are, you are bringing something else to the table. This will help you get gigs. So work on developing your voice. If your are at multi talented musician with other instruments you’ll be valuable. But really the bottom line is that you have to know your stuff and be better than good at what you do. The talent calibre is off the charts there.
Fantastic advice! Thanks for sharing and checking out the video!
Is there a scene for Rock... Indie... Garage.... that sort of thing in Nashville? Is moving to Nashville more for someone aspiring to get into session/hired gun work than it is for singer songwriters who want to perform?
Oh and great info on your channel btw!
There’s definitely a rock and indie scene here…I’m not that tied up in it so I don’t have much info other than ‘it exist’ haha. If you want to play on records Nashville is kind of where people need to be. You can do it at home, I play on 50-60 tracks a month at my house and one or two tracking sessions a week at different studios. For the singers and songwriters, being here will only make you better and step up your game. Helps with co-writes as well if you want to shoot for a publishing deal but like anything…for some it might make more sense to try doing it all remotely without the overhead of Nashville
@@NickyVThanks ! Yeah its been on my list of potential places to make my next move. Your channel definitely provides insight.... Keep it up !
I'm assuming you were suggested because I watch Tim's channel. Overall, this is great advice in general for any move & employment but especially for Nashville. I've got to ask a question. I watch a livestream of a local Nashville resident that walks bar to bar on Broadway. He streams so all of us that don't live in Nashville can watch the bands, people, etc. One thing that I noticed almost immediately was the choice of songs that band's choose to add to their set list. How did this happen & why those songs? I hear the same songs over & over again. I've named it the "Standard Broadway Setlist". Are these songs currently popular with the college crowd? Was this decided by the bar owners because it's the same in every bar except for AJ's or an older bar. I heard "Don't Stop Believing" the first time around but here comes round two. Ha... I know you know what I'm referring to. I would love some insight into this. Thank you, new sub!
Man I’m honestly not the most well versed in Broadway but I would guess that it’s a mixture of request driven and songs that tend to get tips since that’s the primary focus for the players down there. My favorite place to take family and friends when they are in town and want to check Broadway out would be Roberts Western World. Amazing musicianship and traditional country…not the typical standards.
Nah I say go somewhere smaller a college town and start your own scene .. like they did in Athens ga chapel hill Seattle Austin .. i grew up during the great Athens ga music scene and it was way more fun ..
Im not moving to Nashville. I moved from Greeneville, Tennessee back to Indianapolis, the pay scale sucks in Tennessee!
Get your head examined?
Solid point
I know Vince Gils neighbor it's almost impossible to not know someone who knows someone and I know a lot of people,,,
"You don't have a boss telling you what to do"... not totally accurate if you're a sideman in someones band, or a hired hand in a recording session. Might be nice to think you don't have a boss, and he's just your friend or whatever... but you'll do whatever he says. Unless you're the star... you're gonna have to serve somebody.
It’s still a service industry for sure but there’s a difference between being an employee for a company and a private contractor/gig work on the studio side of things. If you are on a salary with an artist you are definitely and employee, the biggest reason I transitioned off the road.
Great Video.
Have you mentioned tour rates or fees in any of your videos?
Yup. Have a whole video called “what do touring musicians make” or something like that on my channel
Back to the bus gig video. If you're riding a bus for weeks at a time your studio circle will get smaller and smaller, to the point where people won't call to see if you're in town. Plus being on the road means you're SINGLE, and may not have a home to come back to. Lastly, lets admit it. Being on the road sucks.for these reasons and many more
Personally I’m not the biggest fan of the road…some people really enjoy it though despite its downfalls. I’m much happier now just tracking full time
Why not Vox flavored amp? Just as versatile IMO and a staple in country just as much as any Fender amp IMO.
This is pure opinion but a vox is a little more colored than a fender to my ears. It’s just a sound people are more familiar with and every front of house guy I’ve ever worked with typically has to work harder to get a vox to sit right in the front of house mix for some reason.
I put voxs on records every day but usually use it as a secondary texture or if I need some cut in the mix.
@@NickyV most running the sound/mixes in stereo or mono for live?
@@mmatthewias280 Most are in mono...but now with the convenience of the kempers and helix convenience, are running stereo on a lot of stages. The stereo effects with in-ears sound amazing but most front of house guys could care less depending on the type of gig.
I’m guessing my peavey vyper and Ds1 pedal and Kramer won’t rock out in Nashville.
Does well known club singer, Dianne Sherrill still sing somewhere in Nashville?
I’m not sure on that one. I’m not familiar with her
Always move to a city that's overflowing with guitar players and pretty much everyone is trying to do the same thing you are - ?!?!?
Plenty of work to go around and many paths to take for those that want it.
There's always room at the top...
What happens if all 22 of the songwriters are in the studio expressing the importance of the riff after “pickup truck”. Can you laugh?
The straight face is hard to keep at times haha
It would be really hard to memorize stuff that you don't want to listen to in the first. 👍
That’s most artist gigs as well. Iv been lucky playing with a few legacy artists with a fantastic catalog but that’s unfortunately not usually the case
This came down my page.. am I moving soon? 😊
Nice Musicmaster Bass amp. Worst bass amp ever. Distorted, farty lows, not very loud, etc., but as a guitar amp - they're _killer_ especially the 6V6 version.
I had the Harvard tone mod done. It's cheap, and sounds great.
Used it today actually. It does a very cool particular thing
@@NickyV I put a RAT in front of it to mash that 12AX7. Sacrilege!
Great channel. Relevant topics and insights.
Keep it comin'!
I was there for a year it was so overrated.
I don't think I could get one - two years of rent saved up without robbing a bank lol
Haha town is pricy for sure
Whose albums have you played on?
Any guitarist worth his salt, is way ahead of that anyhow. sounds like your encouraging homelessness in Nashville.
Stay up to date on the radio sounds horrible lol
Times are hard haha
How in the world is anyone averaging 6.5k a month playing music?
Some are doing doubles and triples on broadway. I’m tracking 50-60 songs a month at my house plus teaching and a few tracking sessions a week. Some road guys are on salaried gigs if they can get a good one.
Who'd want to play on 'songs' these days, anyway? The soul has been knocked outta all creativity - PPl have NOTHING to say, etc I can go on & on... Absolutely no creativity in today's artistic world
Nashville with out rhinestones it's closer thank you think throw your records in the sea and listen to them sink
Jason Ringberg
What do you do when the act you play for decides you don’t have a gig anymore?
Don’t have all your eggs in that one basket.
It sounds like the Nashville music scene is boring as heck, conformity is king, and creativity not appreciated.
I've not been there.
Do you have any tips for ethnic people moving to nashville or considering it ?
In my experience Nashville is pretty open. There’s definitely some “good ole boy” clicks but opportunities and communities for everybody.
Back in the 80s playing hair/glam metal on the sunset strip we had to have the long flowing locks.......when we got older the body says NO!!!! My advice Nick......get a damn haircut.....
Nah, I’ll wait for it to fall out.
Sounds like the most important thing to do before moving to Nashville is have a lot of fucking money
You say that you're a studio musician then talk exclusively about touring.
There are studio/session videos on my channel if that’s more what you are looking for.
I cannot stress this enough. Make sure you get your act together, I mean really get your ducks in a row before you move to Nashville. You're gonna need a big stupid looking hat and make sure you have the most common guitar ever made. Your gonna need to learn about 600 songs to get strung out on alcohol and meth.
Before moving to Nashville do this. Change your mind and DO NOT move to Nashville
Also, don’t move to Nashville. 😂 jk come on what’s one more. Lol
As a Nashville native, don't move here. We are full
True, there’s nothing available for either sale or rent. Everything is full.
Don’t.
Ai is writing songs and people will accept them. The public can’t tell the difference. Human songwriting is over.
🤡🤡🤡
F Nashville. Go to Clarksdale, MS where the real music is.
Clarksdale is great and definitely the real deal. Money is in Nashville
I would say just do it,,,come to Nashville if you want to give it a shot,,,in Hollywood I was the best songwriter of the night,,,in Nashville you won't be,,,but you will fit in somewhere,,,
I would say just do it,,,come to Nashville if you want to give it a shot,,,in Hollywood I was the best songwriter of the night,,,in Nashville you won't be,,,but you will fit in somewhere,,,
I would say just do it,,,come to Nashville if you want to give it a shot,,,in Hollywood I was the best songwriter of the night,,,in Nashville you won't be,,,but you will fit in somewhere,,,
Love this!