We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ben Wagner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ben, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
Finding people who can honestly tell you what you’re doing wrong (and right) is essential. So much of being creative is trying new things and seeing what works. Seeking feedback and learning how to process it has helped me be a better songwriter.
About five years ago I remember feeling like everyone around me was so supportive and kind, but I wanted to know how I could improve. I found a songwriting group called Nashville Songwriters Association International. They had a professional songwriter named Denny come in and critique songs. He tore my song apart for like ten minutes. I loved it. There were some things I didn’t agree with, but some things he was saying really hit home- my rhyme schemes were off, the verses didn’t match melodically, some lines didn’t make sense or weren’t significant to the hook, etc. I kept submitting songs over and over. After about a year the feedback got more positive, I started winning song contests, blogs me positive reviews, engagement at shows were better, and my streaming numbers went up. I still look for feedback, too. I want to get better with every song.
Ben, 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?
My name is Ben Wagner, I write songs and sing them too. I work with country and pop artists, music supervisors for TV shows, and anybody else who wants a song written for them for a birthday, anniversary, or anything else. I also release and perform my own music. Some cool things that have happened to me include taking first place in the Great American Song Contest, having music placed in TV shows like Virgin River, having other artists release songs I’ve written with them, and getting to do this full-time for about 5 years.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
If there’s artists that you love, especially ones that aren’t signed to a big record deal yet, consider buying something from them like a t-shirt or concert ticket. Almost every artist will have links on social media to their store. It helps them so much more than just streaming.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
How To Make it in the New Music Business by Ari Herstand is my favorite book. Ari also has a podcast that’s great as well. Other music podcasts I love are And the Writer Is, the Bobbycast, NDPNDNT, and CDBaby’s DIY Musician podcast.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.benwagnermusic.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benwagnermusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benwagnermusic
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/POuiFpU0egU