13 Things We'd Tell Our Younger Selves About Building a Music Career
Lessons from two independent artists still building the dream.
A few nights ago, Cliff and I had the honor of being named Arkansas Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Duo/Group of the Year for the second year in a row.
As grateful and surprised as we are for those awards, the moments that stayed with us most happened before our names were ever called.
Sitting in that room reminded us of what it felt like years ago when we were sitting in those same seats.
Watching artists get nominated.
Watching them release great music.
Watching them make progress.
Watching careers grow.
Wondering how they got there.
Wondering if we could get there too.
Back then, we were just two musicians with a dream, a lot of questions, playing shows wherever we could, and no roadmap for how to get to the next level.
We didn't have a major label. We still don't.
We didn't have a manager. We still don't.
We didn't have investors. In fact, there were years when we were simply trying to keep the lights on. The support, opportunities, and partnerships came later, after years of showing up and proving we were committed to the dream.
The truth is we're open to the right partnerships if they align with our goals and values. Great teams can absolutely help artists grow.
But one of the biggest lessons we've learned is this:
Don't wait for permission to build your career.
Don't wait for a label.
Don't wait for a manager.
Don't wait for someone else to validate your dream.
Start building.
The modern music industry has given artists more opportunity than ever before.
You can release music.
Build an audience.
Sell tickets.
Grow an email list.
Create content.
Build community.
Generate revenue.
And build a meaningful life doing what you love.
The DIY path isn't about doing everything yourself forever.
It's about taking ownership of your future.
It's about becoming the kind of artist who creates momentum instead of waiting for it.
First, We Had to Define What "Making It" Actually Means
One thing we've learned over the years is that every artist has to answer a difficult question:
What does success actually look like?
When you're young, it's easy to think success looks like awards.
Or a record deal.
Or a manager.
Or a million streams.
Or a sold-out arena.
Or some magical moment where the world finally says:
"Congratulations. You've made it."
The problem is that moment rarely comes.
Because every milestone simply reveals another mountain.
You win an award and suddenly you're wondering if you can win another.
You hit a goal and immediately start chasing the next one.
You achieve something you've dreamed about for years and realize it didn't magically make you happy.
At some point, Cliff and I realized we needed a different definition.
We needed our North Star.
Not somebody else's definition of success.
Our definition.
Today, success looks very different than it did when we started.
Success is waking up excited to do what we love.
Success is making a living through music.
Success is becoming better than we were yesterday.
Success is writing better songs this year than we wrote last year.
Success is becoming stronger performers.
Success is building a stronger marriage.
Success is creating meaningful experiences for audiences.
Success is helping other artists.
Success is sharing the gift of music with the world.
Success is growth.
Success is contribution.
Success is becoming more of who we were created to be.
The Arkansas CMA awards mean a lot to us.
We're grateful for them.
But they aren't the destination.
They're mile markers on a much longer road.
The real reward is that we get to wake up every day and build a life around something we love.
The real reward is that after all these years, we're still growing.
We're still learning.
We're still creating.
We're still dreaming.
In many ways, that's what "making it" means to us.
Not arriving.
Becoming.
With that in mind, here are 13 lessons we'd tell our younger selves.
1. Play More Shows Than You Think You Need To
There is no substitute for stage time.
Every major opportunity we've ever had can be traced back to someone seeing us perform live.
The stage teaches lessons that books, videos, and courses never can.
Don't wait until you're ready.
You'll never feel ready.
Start now.
Find an open mic.
Take the low-paying gigs.
Play the restaurant.
Play the coffee shop.
Every business starts somewhere.
Every artist starts somewhere.
2. Practice Like a Professional
The artists we admire most are lifelong students.
Practice isn't something you stop doing once you're working.
It's something you protect because you're working.
Schedule practice.
Learn new songs.
Improve your weaknesses.
Push yourself.
Listen to trusted sources of constructive criticism.
Find a coach.
Find mentors.
Treat your craft like an athlete treats their sport.
The stage is where you get paid.
Practice is where you earn it.
3. Write Better Songs
The music still matters.
Marketing can get someone to listen once.
A great song makes them come back.
Invest in songwriting.
Study songwriting.
Finish songs.
Write more songs than you'll ever release.
Meet other writers.
Co-write.
Learn from people who are better than you.
The songs are the asset.
4. Study Successful Artists
One of the best things we've ever done is study people who were ahead of us.
We watched interviews.
Read autobiographies.
Listened to podcasts.
Studied careers.
Not just songs.
Careers.
Success leaves clues.
We're constantly studying artists, their teams, how they carry themselves, how they interact with fans, how they perform, how they dress, how they communicate, and how they build long-term careers.
You don't have to copy anyone.
But you can learn from everyone.
5. Support Other Artists
One of the greatest surprises in our career has been how much opportunity comes from community.
Community building and sharing with others is part of who we are.
Celebrate other artists.
Promote their work.
Make introductions.
Encourage people.
Show up.
The goal isn't just to build a successful career.
It's to leave the music community better than you found it.
6. Remember That Nobody Succeeds Alone
As independent as we've been, we've never done this alone.
We've had mentors.
Teachers.
Venue owners.
Promoters.
Fans.
Media friends.
Family members.
Friends.
People who gave us opportunities before we deserved them.
People who believed in us before we believed in ourselves.
Never forget to be grateful.
Never forget the people who helped you along the way.
Success is rarely a solo achievement.
7. Build Community, Not Just an Audience
Followers are nice.
Community is powerful.
People don't support artists because of perfect branding.
They support people they feel connected to.
Make people feel welcome.
Make people feel seen.
Make people feel like they belong, because they do.
Community lasts longer than popularity.
8. You Are Running a Business
This lesson changed everything.
The day we stopped thinking like musicians and started thinking like business owners was the day our career accelerated.
Learn marketing.
Learn sales.
Learn contracts.
Learn negotiation.
Learn finance.
Learn systems.
Once you're making money, learn about LLCs and business structures.
The music is the product.
The business is what allows the product to reach people.
The business is what creates leverage when opportunities eventually come your way.
9. Embrace Social Media
The audience is online.
Whether we like it or not.
Some artists spent years complaining about social media.
We chose to learn it.
Social media helped us find fans, book shows, sell tickets, build businesses, launch products, and create opportunities.
Perfection isn't required.
Showing up is.
10. Document Your Journey
Don't just perform.
Document.
Every show.
Every lesson.
Every milestone.
Every struggle.
Every victory.
The internet allows one moment to impact thousands of people.
Use it.
11. Collect Email Addresses From Day One
Social platforms come and go.
Algorithms change.
Your email list belongs to you.
Build it.
Protect it.
Nurture it.
Future you will be grateful.
12. Take Care of Your Mental Health and Your Body
The music business will challenge your confidence.
We've experienced stage fright.
Anxiety.
Imposter syndrome.
Comparison.
Self-doubt.
Burnout.
Those things don't disappear when success arrives.
The strongest artists aren't fearless.
They're willing to keep going despite fear.
And while we're talking about health, take care of the machine.
Your body, mind, and spirit are the instrument behind the instrument.
Get sleep.
Drink water.
Move your body.
Protect your energy.
Protect your mornings.
And if that quiet voice inside keeps telling you that alcohol, drugs, or another habit is holding you back, listen.
Everyone knows their own limits.
For me, sobriety wasn't about giving something up.
It was about getting something back.
My clarity.
My creativity.
My focus.
My peace.
Today I wake up excited.
I pray.
I create.
I work on meaningful projects.
I operate in flow.
I get more done in a focused morning than I used to get done in several days.
The biggest breakthrough wasn't another productivity system.
It was becoming healthier.
13. Nobody Is Coming To Save You
This may be the biggest lesson of all.
For years, we thought the next breakthrough would come from a manager.
A label.
A connection.
A lucky break.
The truth is every major opportunity we received came after we created momentum ourselves.
The work came first.
The recognition came second.
Build something undeniable.
Take ownership.
Keep showing up.
The right people may eventually join your team.
But don't wait for them to start building your dream.
Final Thoughts
If you've been bitten by the music bug, we hope this helps.
You don't need permission.
You don't need perfect timing.
You don't need all the answers.
You just need to start.
Play the show.
Write the song.
Practice your craft.
Build your community.
Take care of yourself.
Support others.
Learn the business.
Keep growing.
Stay curious.
Stay grateful.
And stay in the game.
Most artists don't fail because they're untalented.
They fail because they quit too soon. I've been at it for 22 years (don't do the math lol), but Cliff and I have been a duo for 10 years now.
We're grateful every day that we didn't quit.
We're grateful for the wonderful gift of music God has blessed us with.
And we're grateful that after all these years, we still get to wake up, make music together, share it with the world, and continue becoming who we're meant to be.
Because that's what success looks like to us.
If you've been sitting in those Arkansas CMA seats wondering if it's possible, keep going.
Reach out to us, say hi, or find someone who you can trust.
Much love,
Susan