The Weekly Croissant: A Love Letter to My Community

There's no place like Nashville

This past week I published a column about streaming royalties, and how they are essentially bleeding the entire music business dry. I got a lot of feedback from my friends and colleagues on this one, and although it doesn’t fix the problem, it is nice to know that we are all suffering together, HA.

Anyway, it got me thinking about fellow musicians, and how grateful I am for the attitude of this town. When I’m on the road, a lot of people ask me about Nashville, i.e. “it must be so competitive!”. In terms of the level of musicianship, that’s true. There are a million folks who can do the job, and do the job really well. But the attitude here, in my experience, has always been; give generously, be supportive, and you will receive the same love and kindness in return. It’s hard to explain the specialness of this community, but to give you a taste, here’s a little bit of how my week went.

Monday:

H invites me to a show at 3rd and Lindsey on Wednesday, she has an extra guest list ticket to see an artist I’m going on tour with next year, awesome, let’s go!

I’m looking to borrow a mandolin for a session in January - send out an email to my mandolin friends. Fingers crossed!

George and the JB band are playing a show at Hutton, I arrive from another gig starving. Luckily, my pals are opening the show and one of their Aunts has brought a giant bag of muffins which is sitting in the green room. I eat four of them. I thank her profusely and she tells me she’s seen me play on Mountain Stage in Virginia. Random and amazing. Thank you for the food aunt of friend!!!

Tuesday:

Get a text from E looking to borrow a fiddle for a friend playing a show on Thursday— she has come to the right place, I have tons of fiddles, no problem! I pull out a few and look for some new strings.

I’m panicking about merch for my upcoming album release. Decide I should learn to screenprint so I can do thrifted stuff. Text a friend who does screen-printing (also an old-time musician). He advises me on a book to check out, and says I can borrow his screenprinting gear. I quickly get overwhelmed and give up on the idea.

N from George’s band wanted one of my books. We often exchange books because we are nerds. George snagged his book, Parable of the Sower, that I had borrowed and am now returning, but I forgot to send him a new Sally Rooney. Oops! Next time.

I’m painting my neighbor’s bathroom, which has just been redone by our friend S (a mandolin player). My neighbor is a clothing designer and often lends me or gives me awesome pieces to wear for photo and video. She texts me asking to borrow my van so she can grab a desk off of Facebook marketplace. Easy, no problem.

Wednesday: I realize I have said yes to a musician cookie party the same night as the show H invited me too. Must sadly bail on the cookie party.

I see that E (who asked about borrowing the fiddle) is playing a show in Denver, and I text her to ask if she can get my sister tickets so she can impress her new man. Of course! she texts back. What a legend.

Show at 3rd and Lindsley that evening is great! I am excited for the collaborations. Have a great time with H, who also runs a radio show, and has the job of making tea blends at High Garden. I tell her that is the kind of job that people only have in Rom-Coms.

Thursday: M (E’s friend) comes over to check out the fiddles. He’s a musician I’ve wanted to run into as I’m a fan of his work. We chat a bit and play a couple of old-time tunes. He thanks me profusely for the fiddle and puts me on the list for the show that night, which also features L, one of my favorite songwriters. I have a pre-production session that evening, after which I start to fade and accidentally watch half of the Harry and Meghan documentary series instead of going to the show.

Friday: Fiddle comes back that AM, great chat with M.

A texts me to say they have found a place to park their car while gone over the holidays. They were going to leave it i

n our yard but another friend has a huge garage they can borrow. We love to see it.

That evening one of my oldest best friends in playing at the Basement East. I’ve seen K grow as a musician and a human for more than 10 years, and I am so inspired watching her kick ass to a thrilled crowd. I run into her mom who I have stayed with in KY and we have a damn good time dancing.

My sister sends me a photo of her at E’s show in Denver, says it was amazing, and thanks so much! My heart is warm.

So, my croissants, that is a typical week in Nashville. Are we all being absolutely pummeled by the economic realities of our chosen careers? YES, but what we lack in financial security, we make up for in great vibes. Would be great to have both, though!