We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Derek Stoner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Derek below.
Derek, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Learning the craft was and still continues to be the most challenging part of becoming a singer/songwriter. However, this has went from an often times frustrating process to a usually enjoyable process because of progress/confidence. I truly love the art of creating something from nothing and sharing it with the world.
Derek, 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?
My love for Country Music began in my early teenage years. Growing up in a small farming community in Northwest Missouri very much meant that the genre was always present. However, I really never considered making a career in music as it was so foreign to me in terms of knowing anyone that had and for the simple fact that I didn’t know how to play an instrument. I married at a young age and began my life with my now wife of 26 years and we have three wonderful children. My first professional job was as a Bricklayer. I was also enlisted in the Army National Guard in my younger years; too include when the September 11th attacks occurred. I would soon after switch to Active Duty status in the Army. I found my way into Special Forces training in 2002 and after a couple of years of arduous training, was awarded the Green Beret and my Special Forces career began. I ended up spending 20 years in the Special Forces, retiring in 2022. I deployed to the Middle East 16 times during my tenure as a Soldier. It was early on in this process that I decided to purchase a guitar. I learned to play a little during downtime off of Youtube videos and would occasionally sing a tune or two for my fellow Soldiers while deployed. Once again, never truly entertaining the idea of becoming a bonafide musician. This all changed for me around a year before my retirement from the Army. I suddenly realized that I was going to have to find something else to do with my life and I decided to try my hand in music. I put myself through a crash course of guitar/cover song and even began to write my first original music during this time. I slowly began to play a few open mics and gigs. One thing quickly led to the other and now I stay busy writing, recording and performing live shows for folks all around America, to include the world famous Honky Tonks of Nashville, Tennessee.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a Singer/Songwriter is the opportunity to share my stories and thoughts with the listener. I have met so many wonderful people because of music over the last three years. Although the industry can certainly be tough and frustrating to navigate, it has all been more than worth it to me.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Prior to beginning my music career, I had zero presence on any type of social media. So I was starting from the ground up to say the least. The hardest lesson that I have learned with social media is that your followers need a decent amount of volume. The reality is that people’s attention spans nowadays has drastically declined. I personally believe this is because of the sheer amount of content that is presented. My advice would be to post more often than not, but all the while be real and even vulnerable at times, because that seems to be what folks really respond to.
Contact Info:
- Website: derekstonermusic.com
- Instagram: Derek Stoner Music
- Facebook: Derek Stoner Music
- Youtube: Derek Stoner Music