We were lucky to catch up with Rickey Crawford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rickey, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

“I started out writing songs and ended up meeting a country artist who took one of my songs, rewrote it, and recorded it. That experience opened my eyes to the industry and got me hooked. Before that, I worked at a venue, booking acts and organizing performances, which gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how live shows come together. From there, I dove deeper into performing, writing, and managing events, eventually building my own path in country music. Now, I’m balancing my career as an artist with running Frontier Events, promoting and managing shows, and bringing music to people in every way I can.”

“I could have spent more time researching the industry from the ground up. There’s a ton of information out there, and while it can be overwhelming, having a clearer understanding early on would have helped me navigate things faster. Hands-on experience has been my best teacher, but a little more background knowledge could have made the learning curve a bit smoother.”

“I’d say people skills and patience. Nothing happens overnight—or even in just a couple of years. The real focus should be on building something solid, no matter how long it takes to break into the industry. A lot of people don’t think of patience as a skill, but it’s definitely a learned behavior that turns into one. And trust me, it makes all the difference. Lol.”

“One of the biggest obstacles was all the information out there about how others made it in the industry. It’s easy to get caught up in someone else’s path, but the truth is, everyone’s journey is different. While you can learn from others, at the end of the day, it’s up to you to carve out your own path and bring your own journey to the forefront.”

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?

Born in North Central Arkansas, country isn’t just music to me—it’s a way of life. I’ve been a fan of country music since I was a kid, and it always felt natural to connect with folks who share that same love for the lifestyle and sound. Writing music came easy, too—just sitting on the front porch, reflecting on my upbringing, and turning those experiences into songs.

Starting Frontier Events was a no-brainer. I had years of experience organizing all types of events, so stepping into the role of setting up performances and managing artists in the country music industry felt like the natural next step. What sets me apart is my passion for helping artists achieve their dreams. In an industry as competitive as ours, success isn’t just about talent—it’s about connecting with fans, building relationships, and creating opportunities.

I take pride in making those connections happen, whether through my own music or by working behind the scenes to help other artists grow. At the end of the day, helping people is what I was born to do, and I’m grateful every day that I get to do it through music.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the biggest challenges in my career—and the entire music industry—was COVID. When everything shut down, it would have been easy to sit back and wait, but instead, we doubled down. Those first few weeks of uncertainty turned into some of the busiest times in my career. We found ways to keep shows happening, navigating state by state, adapting to every challenge as it came. Looking back, I’d say we handled it as well as anyone could.

Of course, there were phases where things slowed down, but that time taught me how to adapt in ways I never had to before. Learning to navigate something no one had experience in was an opportunity for me to grow—not just as a management of country artist and business owner, but as someone new to the industry. It showed me firsthand how unpredictable this business can be, but also that with the right mindset and work ethic, you can push through even the toughest times.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Yes, definitely! Lol. There are so many resources I wish I had known about earlier, especially when it comes to setting up your career before thinking about higher-level partnerships. Learning how to establish yourself as a business—handling things like royalties, publishing, social media strategy, and marketing—can make all the difference.

Platforms like ASCAP, BMI, and SoundExchange for royalties, Indiepreneur for marketing strategies, and even YouTube and podcasts like “The Music Industry Blueprint” could have helped me navigate things faster. With all the excitement and passion, it’s easy to overlook the business side, but having access to the right tools early on can set you up for long-term success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://frontier-events.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frontiereventsllc?igsh=ajFwcjN0cnd6ZTk3
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19jG1UBevJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Twitter: https://x.com/rickey4crawford?s=21
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@frontierevents?si=cAFMYzvk6ib3dDBm