We were lucky to catch up with Andy Shaw recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Andy, thanks for joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I am a full time musician, songwriter, and performer. I started playing trumpet at around the age of 10, and went on to attend the University of North Texas for Jazz Studies. I spent one year there, and found it just wasn’t for me.

I had a deep love and connection to music for such a long time during my youth. My father was a music teacher, and my brother was a violinist and drummer. We all performed regularly together for fun, and at church. Music school ended up being a challenge for me, because it took a lot of the joy I had from playing music away. I have a lot of respect for the academic side of music, but the approach I encountered wasn’t for me.

I moved back home to Ohio, and spent a year reconsidering my options. I “knew” from a young age that music was what I wanted to do. I spent the year teaching myself guitar, and how to sing, and started writing songs.

After a year I moved to Chicago to pursue Writing and Producing for Television at Columbia College Chicago. I really enjoyed that experience, but I ended up getting more serious about writing and performing, and ended up moving back to Columbus after college to start playing music with my brother. We went by the Shaw Brothers.

That was the start of everything for me professionally. I had a side job that paid enough to get by, and started pursuing places we could perform. Lots of those places were restaurants, pubs, and unconventional spaces that had a budget for entertainment. Before I knew it I had replaced my side job with music, and 18 years later I’m a full time artist.

Through the years I’ve been fortunate enough to perform all over the country, build a wonderful community, and to write some music that I’m really proud of. I truly believe in a creative approach to the business I’m in, and community is one of the ways I’ve been able to do that. It’s allowed me to foster original music in places that some times aren’t used to it, but also it’s helped me challenge the status quo of where art should or can exist. My community allows that to happen.

Andy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into the industry at a young age. I was a trumpet player in my youth, and started “gigging” when I was about 14 or 15. There were a few big bands I played in, as well as classical style trumpet with my dad for weddings and events. I also performed in orchestras, marching band, jazz bands, and a variety of other styles of music. This is the backbone of my musical training, and it translated to becoming a songwriter.

I think being a band kid was something a little different from other songwriters that lead rock bands. Specifically on the level I reached on trumpet. I set a high bar with my trumpet playing, and through the years I’ve been able to see myself through adult eyes going through the process of learning and growing as a songwriter. I’m proud of my work ethic, and I think a lot of it is driven from a fear of failing again. Maybe not even failing, but letting myself and others down. A common thread for many people, I’m sure.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think supporting the artists and creatives of your own community is a huge way to help the ecosystem. Most people know the brand names like Bruno Mars or Taylor Swift, but they may not know they have extremely talented artists in their own back yard. The big names make up an extremely small slice of the pie, in relation to all of the artists making a living in music. Be curious about artists, and don’t be afraid to not like an act. No all bands and musicians are for every audience goer, but that’s ok. Seeking out artists you may not know about is what every artist wants and craves.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love that I can choose my path. I can do whatever I want to do. Obviously there’s two sides to every coin, but I find the paving of the path just as creative as the music that takes me on that journey. It’s like imagining the best vacation you can think of, picturing yourself there, and then actualizing it. It’s pretty cool when it comes to fruition. It’s about living a creative life, and that’s just fine by me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AndyShawBand.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram/AndyShawBand
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/andyshawband
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-shaw-84806415/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/andyshawband
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/andyshawband

Image Credits
TieradPhoto Dan Mitchell