Desiree HolidayNashville Recording Connection


It's Been A While! Posted on 2017-06-19 by Desiree Holiday

 

I have learned a valuable lesson in the past couple months: KNOW THYSELF. It seems simple, but it is the one thing that causes many people to become depressed, disatisfied, and disappointed with life. SELF cannot be taught in school, on the job, or even by our caretakers. It's a self journey that seems very lonely, but is very rewarding. Over the past year and a half, I have seemingly tried most things in regards to audio and/or audio engineering: Co-hosting/Producing a podcast, live audio engineering at churches and other events, running audio boards for radio stations, building acoustic treatment for home studios, producing live shows at local venues, promoting live events and artists, producing original music and songs, and working a state job as a media tech. I've just about run the gamot of "things to do" in the audio world/industry, even on this small scale. Blessed I am, to have found a job at Tennessee State University as a Media Specialist that not only offers enough pay by which to live (plus benifits!), I can breathe and take a moment to figure out where I an go from here! This position is laxed enough to wear I am able to accomplish other tasks like mixing, writing, or napping (don't tell me boss!!) and still exciting enough because I am doing a job and working in a feild that I studied and honestly enjoy. This has allowed me to put my brain back together and really focus on what is going to allow me a good living and a peaceful life!

Talking with my mentor, Ric Web, he learned as I did one is capable of anything he/she puts the mind to; but each venture requires attention and sacrifice that will ultimately take attention away from something else, thus sacrificing that something else (or other things). The main motivation for trying all of these things was money! Of course I LOVE Sound and everything it means for us in this exsistance, but I gotta eat! Rent needs to be paid. I have been asking myself, what will be the thing I create a continuous living off of? So in doing the live shows with Abnormia, I realized that while this avenue has potential for a high reward, it has a just as high of a risk. Radio is fun, and I love it; but the real money is made in those programs which are heavily syndicated throughout the nation. I enjoy live audio, but I could not see myself doing only that as my main business model (for the tools and equipment needed to accomadate different event types is insanity!). I just do not have the wearwithall nor patience (right now, anyway) to do promotions. So! All that, all that...I think I have settled into a place where I can focus on What I need to do to do what I WANT to do, all the while being sure bills will be paid! I need to keep the grind focused on my strongest suits which are engineering and songwirtting. That's what I set out to do originally, and that is what I plan to master. The Nashville market is based mainly on brand building and awareness (which is also why I set out to do so many things! To get my name/brand out there!). People (here) are lesslikely to patronize your business if there is not a notable or likeable brand attatched to it. I Must build my brand as an engineer, and this will allow me to move foward into songwritting and producing original music. 

Truth be told, I already knew, long before I even began this program, that engineering and songwritting is what I wanted to do. BUT! I had to take that trip into the many facets of the industry to honestly narrow down and decide what is right for me (at this time). I would not be as concrete in my direction if I had not explored the other options. Yes, it took time and attention away from the things I enjoy most, but I learned! This journey has allowed to to yearn, and in that yearning I have concluded my ultimate direction. Audio opens up a world of possibilities where like-minded people say "I can do it all!" And they Can! But focus is key, and to take on too much at one time causes one's focus to be split, and that can really drive the mind crazy!  

 

« Return to Desiree Holiday's Blog

More Blog Entries from Desiree Holiday