Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Judy Rodman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Judy, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

My lessons in voice have taken place in three stages. First, my father and grandfather, both from the deep south in Mississippi, taught me to sing in public, and to sing harmony. That became as natural as rain, from my first memories of singing at jam sessions with my family to beginning studio session singing as a teenager, and becoming a staff jingle singer in my early 20’s.

The second learning stage was when I lost most of my voice from being intubated several times during a 3 month stay in a Memphis, Tennessee hospital where I almost died giving birth. One of my surgeons mused that I probably had permanent scar tissue. But I was resolute. I began teaching myself to gently limber my vocal cords by lightly attempting some Italian songs I’d learned during one year of classical lessons in college. After two years, I had gained a lot of my vocal range back, and then after moving to Nashville, Tennessee a beloved vocal coach named Gerald Arthur helped me gain more voice than I’d ever had. Two years after that, I had a #1 Billboard hit as an artist on MTM Records.

The third learning stage for me was when I hit another brick wall, losing my record deal, becoming artisticly invisible. Though I’d co-written a song that became a BMI Million-air Award, (One Way Ticket Because I Can), my songs stopped being cut, so nothing was working for me. I found myself in demand as a vocal coach. So I began to voraciously learn about the voice, so I could understand what had worked so well for my own career and healing, and also for my students. That lesson has never stopped… I learn something new about the voice, music and the music business almost every day.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I now have over 5 decades of experience and award-winning credits in various fields of the entertainment industry, including singer, songwriter, recording artist, producer, speaker and vocal coach. My awards include #1 record as artist on MTM Records, winner of ACM New Female Vocalist, a BMI Million-air award as a songwriter on ‘One Way Ticket (Because I Can), producer on IMEA-winning (Shantell Ogden) and Josie Award-winning (Tiffany Haseker) albums. I was named ‘Best Vocal Coach’ by Nashville Music Pros and ‘Best Vocal Coach in Nashville’ 2023 award by ‘DistinguishedTeaching.com. I’ve also sung backing vocals for decades of legendary hit records.

What does this mean for other voices? My work training, mentoring and producing other voices has been developed from what truly works in the practical career settings of recording studio and onstage. What sets me apart is the toolbox I’ve developed for increasing vocal ability, vocal health and performance impact. With it, I’ve helped singers develop hit-making careers, helped damaged voices heal, and helped public speakers protect and create more success with their voices as well.

My overall mission is to make every nickel I am paid create radical value for my students and clients. I am about what WORKS to make a difference in the health, impact and value of voices with messages that matter.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I’ve had major pivots in my life. The first was when my college career was cut short because I became a full-time staff jingle singer in Memphis, I gained a tremendous education in the real world of daily vocal expertise required at that job, and also in the live cover band and background vocal work I began to do in studies during my ‘off hours’.

the second was when that career was cut short because I had a serious issue in childbirth, which landed me in the hospital for 3 months during which I was on a ventilator several times, which injured my vocal cords. As a result, I had to figure out how to recover my own voice, and move to a new city (Nashville) for a fresh career start. With the help of my vocal coach Gerald Arthur, I recovered the rest of my vocal range and found a thriving career as session singer and then an award-winning recording artist and songwriter.

A third pivot point was when my success as recording artist and songwriter hit the wall. I was asked for help by another singer having trouble on tour, and so began my vocal coaching business, That pivot has landed me in a position where all I’ve ever done can be useful to someone else’s journey.

All my pivots have led into a place where I’ve become an entrepreneur, running my ship my own way, reaching for excellence in everything I do. I’m honored to have just been named Best Vocal Coach in Nashville by DistinguishedTeaching.com.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

To be secure in the crazy entertainment business, I had to unlearn the idea that I could delegate my business dealings to others because I was too busy creating music. Without naming names, trusting the wrong people led to my financial ruin. I had to understand that when you work for entities you don’t own, including production companies, publishing companies, and record labels, they are not bad but they are also NOT family. They are places we work so we can feed our families. They will make decisions based on their bottom lines, not necessarily mine. Learning that led me to developing my own business skills that have helped me become more financially secure than I’ve ever been. Early on, I enlisted an awesome business coach, Mike Coleman, whose first question to me was ‘what makes you most afraid?’. His second question was ‘what is your WHY?’

Along with increasing their vocal skill, I mentor my students and recording clients in these same principles – you must become a good business person, deeply understand your own ‘why’, and realize no one will watch your back like you can. When you get to the place where you can hire employees, look for ones who have the ethical value system that you do, and lead by example. I don’t believe in the starving artist model. It’s not necessary.

Another important lesson I’ve unlearned is the habit of looking at the dark side of events and people. I now look for the diamonds in every day. And I live in gratitude for all the twists and turns, and to all those I’ve learned from along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://judyrodman.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judyrodman/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judyrodmanvoice
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyrodman/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdtKnKekk7haPJlfD0wsqag

Image Credits
Lyn Stevens, Peter Rodman