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

Kyle, appreciate you joining us today. Are you 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?

Yes, I’ve been able to make a full-time living from my music career. After graduating, I moved to Nashville with a burning desire to succeed. While working full-time at a hotel, I interned at recording studios to learn as much as I could. It took three years of dedication, but I finally landed my first publishing deal which allowed me to quit my day-job.

Looking back, I could have benefited from more strategic networking and better financial planning. As a creative, learning how to look at making music as a business is a key to success.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m originally from North Alabama. My love for music started in church, where I first discovered my passion for rhythm behind a drum kit.

After touring with artists and bands for years, I shifted my focus to producing and songwriting. In 2017, I found my niche in music for TV and film, landing placements on networks like Disney, Hulu, and ABC, as well as collaborating with brands like Taco Bell and Hyundai.

I want my clients and anyone I work with to feel comfortable and confident that we can execute their vision together.
I’m proud of the impact my work has had, and I’m excited to continue collaborating and bringing memorable music to screens and speakers worldwide.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In my first internship at a studio, I found myself a bit overwhelmed, lacking a stable living situation.

Mid-session one day the engineer surprised me with an opportunity to edit vocals, a task I had never done.
Determined to embrace the challenge, I dedicated the entire night to watching YouTube tutorials, eagerly absorbing the nuances of vocal editing.
The next day, the engineer was so pleased with my work that he gave another editing opportunity. Eventually he elevated my unpaid internship to a paid position as his assistant.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

“The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy has been life-changing for me. It shifted my perspective on success, emphasizing that it’s the result of consistent, positive choices over time, not overnight transformations. This insight has influenced how I approach my career, finances, and life overall, focusing on small, daily actions that compound into significant results. It’s a mindset I now live by, guiding me towards sustainable growth and success in all areas of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kylejproductions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j4given/