A Thanksgiving Letter to Aspiring Artists: Why This Is Your Era

As we enter Thanksgiving week, I find myself reflecting on what I'm most grateful for in this industry. After three decades, that gratitude runs deep, but this year, it centers on something I witness every day: watching talented artists step into an era of opportunity that simply didn't exist before. The barriers that once stood in your way are falling. The tools you need are within reach. And the audience you're looking for is out there, ready to connect. That's what I'm grateful for, and that's what makes this your moment.

I have seen the music industry rise, fall, reshape itself, and rise again. There have been seasons where the industry felt predictable and seasons where it felt like the ground was shifting under our feet. But today, especially as we approach this season of thanksgiving, I can say without hesitation: this is one of the most exciting and hopeful eras I have ever witnessed in music. It is an era filled with opportunity, fresh creativity, genuine connection, and space for new artists to find their voices.

Working with developing artists has always been one of the greatest privileges of my career. You are the dreamers, the builders, the ones who choose to step forward even when the path is unclear. And what I see right now is a moment in time where the door is wider than ever for you to step into something real.

Below are three reasons I'm grateful to be working in music today, and why I believe this era offers developing artists more possibilities than any generation before.

The Rise of the Independent Artist

There was a time when a handful of gatekeepers controlled everything. If you didn't know the right people or fit into a specific box, your music rarely left your hometown. Today, that world is gone.

Independent artists are carving out real careers with loyal fans and strong identities. They are releasing music on their own schedules, choosing their creative directions, building their brands, and keeping control over their business. This shift has created a healthier, more honest music culture.

Here's what I'm seeing: fans are leaning toward artists who are genuine. They want emotion, depth, and truth. They want to hear real life in your voice. When you deliver that, people connect in ways no marketing budget can buy.

I'm grateful to witness this shift because it allows me to guide artists in building careers based on who they truly are. It allows me to help them bypass old barriers and create a path that reflects their values. The independent landscape rewards courage and clarity, and that's something I'll always be thankful to support.

Technology That Levels the Playing Field

Technology has completely transformed what's possible for developing artists. You can record a song from your bedroom that sounds radio-ready. You can release a track and have it available worldwide in 24 hours. You can build an audience from your phone without a marketing team or a record label telling you what to do.

The tools that exist today are tools most artists would have dreamed of even ten years ago. They save money, speed up the creative process, and make it possible for artists to compete in ways that once required large budgets and industry connections. Discovery is now driven by real audience engagement: listeners responding to storytelling, authenticity, and a strong visual identity.

With these tools, artists no longer have to wait for permission to begin. They can start now. They can start with what they have. And they can grow from there.

From my seat in the industry, I'm grateful for this new level of access. Through my work at Nashville Music Consultants, I get to help artists create a clear roadmap and take advantage of opportunities that once felt out of reach. It allows us to focus on the quality of the music, the strength of the message, and the consistency of the work. Technology isn't a shortcut, but it is a powerful equalizer.

A Career Can Be Built From Anywhere

One of the greatest shifts in today's industry is the removal of geographic limitations. A young artist in Montana, South Carolina, or Ohio can build a real audience without leaving home. Social media, streaming, and remote collaboration have opened the world in ways that still surprise me, even after all these years.

Nashville remains a strong creative anchor for country and Americana artists. But it's no longer the only starting point. Artists can develop their sound, build their brand, and grow a loyal fan base from anywhere. When the time is right, Nashville becomes a place to sharpen skills, connect with writers, and elevate the work. But the early stages of building an audience can happen wherever an artist feels grounded and supported.

I'm grateful for this freedom, both for artists and for myself as a mentor. It has allowed me to work with talented young people from every corner of the country and help them build momentum long before they ever step foot on Music Row. Watching artists grow from their hometowns into something bigger is one of the most rewarding parts of the work I do.

A Final Word to the Artists

This is a challenging industry. It requires discipline, clarity, emotional resilience, and a strong sense of identity. There will be moments when it feels slow, confusing, or overwhelming.

But even with those challenges, this is one of the most promising eras to pursue a music career. The tools are here. The access is here. The audience is here. And there is room for you.

If you're an artist, this is your era. Your story matters. Your voice matters. And the work you're doing today can carry you far beyond what you can see right now.

I'm grateful to walk with you, guide you, and help you find the path that aligns with who you truly are.

Happy Thanksgiving.