We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erik Werner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Erik, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I was hired out of school to work for Videmart, a Knoxville-based company that was one of the first to sell homes via television. It was only a part-time job, but I took it to be able to say I was working in the television industry.

My job? I was a Grip…the best Grip on the planet. LOL!
We walked into a house, chose a room, and I stood behind the camera operator with a light held high in the air, panning and tilting along with the camera.

After a few months, I was to supposed to begin editing for the company. However, I received two phone calls for two full-time jobs. I accepted one and left Videmart behind.

Erik, 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 was born a creative, and have been composing, recording, and performing music since age 9.

I got into the world of broadcast radio/television in college at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and upon graduation had two job offers: one in radio, one in TV. I wanted radio, but I chose television to please my parents. One year later, the radio station went off the air permanently. Sometimes, parents are right. :-)

Moving forward about 20 years, I interviewed at a Nashville TV station for a Digital Producer position. Halfway through the interview, she could tell I was a creative, and offered me a job as a Promotions Producer. Clearly she knew what she was talking about, because it was at this station where I achieved my first three Emmy nominations. Still, the entire department was downsized and I was laid off. So I started my own successful video production agency, while performing music.

Two years later, I was hired to manage a TV Promotions Department with a staff of 12 workers. I was writing, producing, editing, supervising, hiring, firing, working with media partners, and even producing live sports broadcasts. My proudest moments at the time were:

1) Finally winning an Emmy Award for my work, because I’m recognized by my peers and colleagues.
2) My work on a successful launch campaign for the FOX hit show “Empire”. It involved advertising, marketing, contesting, and announcing at every possible level, and resulted in top station ratings.

Now I work at Tennessee State University in Nashville. I teach everything I know to young creatives who have more tools at their disposal. I also learn what THEY know to assist me in my future endeavors.

My brand…my work…my mantra….all come down to one phrase: It’s Not About Me. It’s about helping you be your best, and FEEL your best. If what I produce, teach, or play helps you feel your best, whether permanently or temporarily, then it’s mission accomplished.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Non-creatives tend to stick to patterned behavior in and out of work. The analyses, reports, and meetings are done during work hours only. Anything outside of that is reserved for family and friends. Vacation time means focus only on the vacation, which can be stressful in a number of ways (like pleasing the kids and/or significant other, or exceeding the vacation budget).

Creatives don’t live and breathe by the time clock. We can be inspired anyplace, anywhere, at any time of day/night. This inspiration is a flame that fuels our souls and thoughts. It’s our oxygen, our light. It’s what revs our engines, and it’s something non-creatives will never understand.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

This is a tough question.

Initially I wanted to discuss my internship at a TV news station and how I accidentally erased the lead story from the 10p newscast.

Then I thought of the long day of reporting in Mississippi. I sat in a fast food restaurant resting and recuperating when a customer tapped my shoulder and said, “Your car is rolling backward.” I forgot to put it in park. Yes, I stopped it just before it hit another car.

But the clear answer is when I spent weeks producing a new promotional campaign. Prior to this, I’d asked the brand new supervisor what he was looking for. He said, “Just give me something great!” I was excited when I showed it to him. He watched it twice, and told me it was underwhelming. I asked specifically what he didn’t like, and he was unable to tell me. He finally said to me, “I can’t exactly tell you what I want…I just know it’s not this.” I was devastated because a lot of mental energy went into this thing, and he poo-poo’d it.

A couple of days later, I overcame the disappointment and approached him with a list of new ideas. It made all the difference. Coming up with ideas was MY job, not his. I realized I could either give him plenty of options….or give him zero options, which was obviously the wrong choice. Giving a supervisor the opportunity to say no ahead of time makes all the difference in the long run, and in the employer/employee relationship.

Contact Info:

• Website: erikblueband.com
• Instagram: @erikbluemusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-werner-95763915a/
• Twitter: @erik_blue

Image Credits
Rod McGaha