Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Zalla
Hi Mary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
After 3 1/2 years as a Pre-Veterinary Science major, I changed my major to Journalism and upon graduation took my first job as a copywriter at an advertising agency. I loved it! But I also enjoyed interacting with clients so I became a Client Manager as well. From there I went on to have a 35+ year career in advertising, brand and design. When I decided to retire early last year, literally song ideas started pouring into my head. I had always been a writer in one way, shape or form, including writing song parodies, but never original songs. But now original songs were coming to me and of course looking back, those songs are horrible. But in March of last year I started learning about the craft and business of songwriting. I joined several communities, took countless classes, read books, met with people etc. And I continue to do all of this.
I can’t believe how much I’ve learned, and of course, I have even more still to learn. But I am truly enjoying learning, meeting new people in the music industry, and most importantly, meeting talented co-writers. I write mostly in the country genre, but also enjoying creating music for the holiday market. One of my first modest wins is a song that I wrote with my co-writers Taylor Borton and Bill DiLuigi, placed in American Songwriter’s lyric contest recently.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m not sure I would describe it as a smooth road, but it is 100% the road I want to be on. Is breaking into the music industry difficult? Uh yeah. But it’s a fabulous industry full of so much talent and excitement. I agree with something that I have heard multiple professional songwriters say, and that is, you need to celebrate every little win. The big wins, for most of us, can be few and far between. And there are lots of times you’re told no, so celebrating those little wins is important, if only to keep you moving along the path. So, the contest I just mentioned is a small win. Getting invited to a writer’s retreat is a small, but important win. Having publishers listen to and take copies of your songs, that’s a small win. I definitely want to get to a big win, and really I already have because I am actively participating in, and navigating the industry of which I want to be a part.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What I do now pretty much full time is songwriting. Specifically I am a lyricist writing mostly in the country genre but I also create music for the holiday market. As I explained earlier, I am relatively new at songwriting. What I am most known for professionally is my almost 25 year career at Landor, a global brand consulting and design firm. I love this company so much and the work was such an exciting mix of strategic business planning and analysis, and creativity in the service of our clients’ brands. I held many positions during my career at Landor including Brand Director, Managing Director of some of our studios, Global President of Consumer Brands and I served as Global CEO for a couple of years.
I do believe that as a mature person entering the world of songwriting I have perhaps a slight advantage. My years of writing copy, creating content and creative collaboration in service of my clients is a unique and helpful skillset transfer into this industry.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up on a farm the oldest daughter of 10 children. And while there were many days I resented how much work we had to do on the farm, I realize now what a gift it was to grow up like that. We worked hard and saw the fruits of our labor and to this day I am not afraid of hard work and that is an absolute pre-requisite for success in most businesses, especially the music business.
I loved nature and being outdoors and was always curious about the natural world. One of my favorite Christmas gifts was a microscope and I would gather specimins from the creek or pond and try to learn more about them. I raised horses and enjoyed caring for them and riding. I also enjoyed writing and wrote many poems and short stories.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @maryzallamusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092298896618
