We recently connected with Bobby Mahoney and have shared our conversation below.

Bobby, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents are both extremely hard working people, and are also avid music-lovers and supporters. They introduced me to music at an early age, from music-for-kids like Raffi and Mr. Ray, to rock music like Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, Meatloaf, The Beatles and many more. My parents always supported my music career without trying to manage me or take control of my business, which I think is one of the best things they did. They come to shows, buy tickets, share the music online, drove me all over the place, but they never became ‘stage parents’. I can really only recall one time my mom argued with a stage manager for trying to cut my set as I was about to start when I was younger, but she quickly allowed me to take over and stand up for myself- but she was correct in this case. They also pushed me to get a college degree, which I was hesitant about at first, but am ultimately very grateful they did. They taught me to make my own opportunities, and to “make my own luck”. They are the best parents I could have ever asked for.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a singer/songwriter, guitarist from New Jersey. I have been writing and performing original music for almost two decades at this point, and have been performing in the Asbury Park music scene since 2010. I love writing catchy, thought-provoking songs and I love giving high-energy live performances. I am proud of the band, team, and cast of characters that I have been working with since 2011. We play no-frills alternative rock, and we go over well in front of a wide range of audiences. We will entertain you.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Share your friends’ art online, buy their products/music/merch, go to their shows, like and subscribe to artists you care about. The little things all add up.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being creative is having an outlet for myself, that also allows me to connect with my friends, family, and strangers. Writing and playing guitar alone are fulfilling and cathartic in themselves, but I then get to take a lyric or skeleton of a song and collaborate with people I respect and care about and then the creation changes. Then it goes into the world where other people can make their own memories and experiences around it. It is rewarding to me when my-being-creative inspires someone else to be creative and take chances in their own lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bobbymahoneymusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbymahoneymusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyMahoneyMusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX-oEokkAS1W1IczVXJmLEg

Image Credits
Photos by Abby Clare, Mark Ashkinos, Dieter Unrath, Conni Freestone, Zack Morrison