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

Allison, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

As a kid, our home was constantly surrounded by music. It was the one thing I could always count on to help me express all of the emotions I wanted to keep pent up inside. I grew up in Nashville, TN so finding access to good, quality music/musicians was not difficult. Between my dad being a utility player, having incredible choir teachers, and having a wonderful piano teacher, I was able to grow and develop as a musician at a very young age. My biggest obstacle was myself. I am a perfectionist, and many times that got in the way of allowing myself to make mistakes. Which is a vital part of the learning process in anything! But, the most essential lesson I learned through all of that, was the importance of allowing yourself to mess up. A great performer does not just play every note right at every show; they learn how to come back from the mistakes and improvise while on stage. Knowing how to use your mistakes as an opportunity to interact with the crowd can create a connection with the audience that makes them feel like your sitting right next to them.

Allison, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a singer-songwriter originally from Nashville, TN. Music is my lifeblood and ever since I was a little girl, music was something I could rely on to make me feel safe. Between writing songs, releasing albums, playing in a bar by myself, or stepping on a stage and singing for a large audience, I feel like I am doing what I was made to do! But what drives me more than anything, is how incredible it is to watch people become moved by a certain lyric or melody, make connections with new people, or simply have a good time. I don’t just play music just to play. I bring people together under one common interest: the love of music. The moments in my music career that I am most proud of are the ones where someone looks me in the eye and says they were moved and touched by my music. Because that is when it expands beyond me and my voice or instrumentation. It becomes an experience that they and myself will remember forever. That is the best feeling in the world!

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When it comes to building a business/brand/name, seeking out resources is everything! For my personal journey, the resources that helped me the most were the connections I made with other creatives and businesses. The hardest part of that is stepping out of your comfort zone and just reaching out. I got to a point where I just was hungry to learn more and grow more and I would simply just messages other creatives and ask for their tips or advice. I would reach out to not just local artists, but even artists who I never would have imagined having time to talk to someone as insignificant as myself. Yet, I was constantly surprised by how many others wanted to share the knowledge and see others succeed. Never be afraid to talk to people! You never know what opportunities there might be for you. The best way to find out is be friendly, humble, and get excited at simply making new connections. Not with the mindset of receiving something but always be ready to give and allow those genuine connections to blossom into opportunity.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was that, “being a creative is not a career”. Though I have not reached a point where I am solely doing music, it can be and IS a career goal. Though the path looks a little messy and to some it seems risky and irresponsible, it is no different than someone having the passion and drive to go into medicine. As mankind we are all designed with different goals and passions and are all driven by those things. That’s what makes life so beautiful! So, I have had to re-learn that it is ok to not fit the mold of college, marriage, kids, retirement. None of things are wrong and some are things I desire, but there is no formula to get there. I have to trust that I can still pursue my dreams and also be a wise, respected adult member of society.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @allisonhatfieldmusic
• Facebook: Allison Hatfield Music
• Linkedin: Allison Hatfield
• Youtube: Allison Hatfield
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Pix by Dave Felicia Soto All Pro Photography Myles Travitz Reel Local