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

Alright, BYRON thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

I’m obsessed with music.

I’ve always been a musician who played in bands. I started recording music at home just to document ideas or rehearsals.

In time I got a little better and realized that because music is in everything, from film, TV, commercials, websites, maybe I could make music for these projects. I’m such a rabid fan of all styles of music that a lot of the ideas recorded had covered a wide range of styles, and was typically different from what I played in my bands.

Long before any placements, I started making music that could be used in a commercial or for video. I imagined that I already had the placements. Eventually I landed a video sizzle reel, then another gig. I upgraded my home studio, studied, took courses and created a lot of music. I remember putting “producer” on my business card and having imposter syndrome, but I persisted. Then through a business coach I landed a project where I had to create six 6-song albums from scratch. It was the most grueling, challenging, and musically liberating thingI’ve ever done. From that point I kept on pushing.

BYRON , 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?

I got into the music industry by accident. I was an art intern at a music magazine right after graduation. I hadn’t learned much design on computer because it was just becoming an industry standard. Because of this, I felt very behind my peers, but felt equally, if not more creative than them.

One day the owner walked in the office and asked if anyone knew anything about the hair metal band RATT. I raised my hand and everyone burst into laughter. My boss sat me down and asked what I knew. I proceeded to word and fact vomit information about the band, the genres, their relatives, etc I was such a music nerd that it lead to me becoming a writer. My first interview was with the band RATT.
From that moment, I was hooked on the music industry.

I quickly went from reviewing CDS, to writing press kits, photographing concerts and interviewing rock stars. I no longer was doing graphic design as much as my role as Local Music Editor, then Managing Editor. I call it Rock N Roll College. I didn’t get into the music industry as a musician, but as a creative writer. That said, the volume and diversity of music I was digesting was massive.

My biz BNDeependent Creative, LLC leans into those early lessons. I create music for businesses that need it for content, promo, and materials. I think the most important skill I have is how to create music that is going to make people feel something. That improvised creative ideas meets emotional skill has led me from being a career bartender, to a well-known musician in the Pittsburgh area, to Creative Director for a brewery and now the Events Coordinator for The Pop District: An Initiative Of The Andy Warhol Museum. I’m most proud of the persistence of my career path.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I became a single father at 18. I had just dropped out of high school. Home life was bad and I was broke, lost and now with child. My son became my why and I started at the very beginning in survival mode of figuring out a better way for us. First I got my GED, then got into Community College getting an Associate In Graphic Design. I graduated and became a ceramics instructor at Manchester Craftman’s Guild-while having the internship at the music magazine. Once the magazine closed I got into the service industry to support my son. I became a popular bartender which also financed my music career ambitions. I never quit, or gave up on my dream because it was important to me to be the best and most positive example of a man for my son.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Covid. I was already so tired of bartending. It served me for a long time, but was really taking a toll on my mental health and overall well-being. Due to survival and tasing my son, I had convinced myself that I needed that job to pursue my music career, but actually it held me back in many ways.

I’m known as a maniac workaholic and go getter to a fault. When there was abrupt break, it was the first time in twenty years that I had time to rest, reevaluate my life and goals and fix financial and personal issues that I was too busy or exhausted to address.

I dug deep into personal development, took a break from drinking and researched all of the areas that I could possibly go in to avoid ever returning back behind the bar. I went down to part time but then I got laid off from my bar job in November 2020.

I January 2021, I applied for a scholarship at Marie Forleo’s B-School and got accepted. I threw all of my time and focus into that program and while doing it started DUYA Wellness, a personal trainer life coach business. (Don’t Underestimate Your Ability) Within 3 months I had fifteen clients, got my Level CrossFit Certification and was training and life coaching clients.

I was already into CrossFit, but never saw fitness as a business endeavor or thought of becoming a coach. There was something rewarding about helping others achieve their potential that moved me. It also had a powerful affect on all other business, personal and creative areas in my life. That was an “Ah Ha” moment where I realized that I could be successful doing things that I lived and loved a long as it served others too.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.byronnashmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byron_nash412/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byronnashmusician
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byron-nash-a03b4a88/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bnastynash
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWhXjljqIdpjUid1F8_N39A

Image Credits
Guitar pic – Jeff Swensen