Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aaron Chesling. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Aaron, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

One of the biggest risks I can say I’ve taken, arguably terrifying, has been to quit the corporate job to pursue my passions in the music business. I have worked heavily in the corporate record business and frankly outside of the music business in almost every role, from PR assistant, promo, forklift driver, A&R to Executive Producer. There came a time when I realized that while I have enjoyed many parts of this business, with many rewarding experiences, what I wanted to do all along was to stay a creative and well “create” versus being focused on someone else’s bottom line or goals. SO in a leap of faith I decided to leave the majors. I chose to rely on myself to produce records, create art, spend a lot of time with my wife and kids, take trips and frankly work on what I call “side quests” to help keep my family’s comfort of living to a good standard. What I realized was all the freedom I was missing and that what I put in, is exactly what I got out of it surprisingly. The key was to get comfortable with getting uncomfortable. I was raised to work hard, not to accept money I had not earned and to keep my head on a swivel as life and the music business for that matter is very fickle and unpredictable. But with my unshakable desire to create I have always wanted to stay as active as of a creator as possible in this life. There have been times where it is slow and I have found myself not in the studio as much or writing for that matter, usually when approaching the holidays, so I have leaned on other skill sets to help bridge those gaps, and honestly the change in pace gives me a chance to refocus and to come back at it fresh. ‘Going independent’ has been a gratifying experience the past few years and has taught me that relying on God and having faith in your fellow man (even when that seems hard) is very important. In this time, I have launched an indie label (AsphaltMusicGrp.com) and have been working with several artists and clientele throughout the past few years. I am very grateful and am excited for what is to come.

To Learn more about me and my company please check out:

www.AaronChesling.com
www.asphaltmusicgrp.com

Aaron, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Some things about me :)

From humble midwestern roots now in Nashville, I am a musician with a never ending hunger to create more music. After a long chapter of touring and performing with bands in basements, clubs and stadiums with a focus on original music, the shift to collaborating with with other artists and the Nashville machine had begun.
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I pull from previous stops working as a distribution specialist at Universal Music Group assisting in new physical release marketing campaigns for (3 Doors Down, Bon Jovi and Ludacris), logistics and radio promotions for Big Machine Label Group working closely with the roster (Florida Georgia Line, Maddie & Tae, Thomas Rhett, Steven Tyler and Taylor Swift) contributing to several #1 hits. As of recent, I served as the lead A&R for the late and iconic Joe Diffie. In 2019 and 2020, I was nominated for Nashville Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 and have written and produced 100s of songs for independent, international talent as well has songwriting credits to the top 200 songs on the Billboard charts.
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My credentials include degrees attained in guitar performance and music business from Mcnally Smith College of Music (MN). Aaron is also and active voting member for The Recording Academy, the CMAs and the ACMs.
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I have produced and written songs that have been recorded at historic studios including but not limited to; Legends Studio, The Sound Emporium, Benchmark, Starstruck Entertainment and beyond. The high standards for recording spaces including master musicians and studio staff have become essential to the evolving process.
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I am hyper focused on going through brick walls for his clients in an effort to do the very best possible. Whether it is helping them reach that next contact, find a perfect sound or just trying my best to be a friend to them.

What I provided as services typically is production for a new record, performing live, songwriting or creating songs for commercials, ads or film.

Things I am most proud of is my wife and kids, my family is everything. We all need each other in one way or another, I want my future clients to know that I’m a family man, and a friend that you can trust.
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Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

NFTs is something my company has dove into head first. We provide NFTs at this time. You can see them through the link on our website. www.asphaltmusicgrp.com

I feel that there is some serious potential in revolutionizing the music industry and frankly in many other industries. My only concern on that is it will indeed take time to see that happen.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is seeing the original vision come to life. I feel the exact same way with my peers, I love seeing talent and potential come to fruition. Literally from a concept in our minds to reality.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aaronchesling.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaaronchesling/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaroncheslingmusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-chesling-7b460b182/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/home
• Other: https://www.asphaltmusicgrp.com

Image Credits
Kayla Schoen