We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Isaac Cole a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Isaac, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
This is the goal that I’m working hard to accomplish. I was making a living doing music with my first full time job as a Utility musician at Dollywood Theme park. I really enjoyed being a part of the “Back Porch Band”. The. I sustained a serious injury to my left wrist as a result of a fall where I landed on glass that damaged an artery, and required emergency surgery. It took about half a year to recover from it, and then Co-vid hit and I no longer had a job to go back to.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been singing Country music since I was four years old, and playing guitar since I was six. My whole life has been in pursuit of turning my love of music into a career.. I recorded my first CD at the age of 11, and my “Fifth” CD last October. I was a top 51 finalist on season XV of American Idol on Fox. Even my homeschooled education was focused around music. I’ve been a Gretsch sponsored artist since I was 14., and the second youngest solo artist induced into the Wheeling Jamboree behind Brad Paisley.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A career in music is a long journey that I’ve been climbing the stairs toward my whole life, sometimes you get knocked back a few steps, and you have to get up and keep climbing. When I fell and cut my left wrist so badly in 2019, I couldn’t continue playing in the “Back Porch Band “ at Dollywood. I kept working there doing lights, or stage work on other shows, and every break I got, I was backstage trying my best to play a rusty old stage guitar to try to regain my ability to play. It was a long, and difficult road to recovery, but today by the grace of God, I can play better than ever!
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I started building a following on social media when I released my first CD at the age of 11. I learned that consistency is key. As a high school kid, I did a weekly show called “Way back Wednesday” and I would learn an old song every week from a different decade or genre. Sometimes I would do a learn it live where people would request a song, and I would learn it right then and there. American Idol really helped build my following as well. I just try to get out there and keep taking every opportunity, and create content. Some things work better than others, but you learn what works as you go. I always try to answer everyone that takes the time to comment on my posts too. I appreciate the people that follow my journey, because you can’t do this without them. Being able to reach into other people’s lives and touch them in some way is the. most meaningful part of doing music!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.isaaccolemusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaaccolemusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsaacColeMusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCvwzquqpwTZg9A29xeDKbwA