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

Daniel , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve ever developed, by far, has been my debut album “Escape”, which we released last year. Working in music for 15+ years now, I finally got to do what I had always truly wanted to do – write, record, and release my own project. And I wouldn’t change a thing. The seven songs that made the cut are really heart-felt tunes about real experiences in my life. To turn those real and meaningful experiences into an actual album release is an amazing feeling. I can only hope that the messages in the songs are an encouragement to people.

Daniel , 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?

Being originally from Memphis, Tennessee, I naturally grew up in an area that is rich in music and culture. My dad is a successful musician. My grandfather was a well-known Gospel singer. So the music came naturally, for me. What didn’t come so easily was the message I’ve tried to convey in my releases. I personally think that to really sing about something with passion, you’ve got to have some life experiences that line up with what you’re singing about.

The life experiences that have made up my journey were often very difficult, but through the darkness there would come these moments of glory in which I would find such great relief. Music, for me, has always been a vessel through which I could express myself, and therapeutically deal with challenges through the creation of my songs. And now, having turned my craft into a living, a dream has been reached.

Some of my biggest struggles were at a hard full-time job. But a few years ago, I took a big risk and just walked away. I had no money, no income. But I knew that I could probably play music full-time, so I started to go to these beach bars here in Florida and ask if they needed a musician. And miraculously, I began to secure client after client, and am now playing roughly 250 shows per year.

With the release of “Escape”, I feel like I was able to write about the forms of relief that I have found here on the Florida Gulf Coast. Some of the songs are about places; others are about experiences.. My wife and I really love exploring and discovering beaches and hidden gems along the coast, and those experiences have been key for me in drawing inspiration for fresh music. I think my ultimate goal in releasing music like this is to provide people with their own “escape” by listening.

Playing live in addition to producing my own music keeps me busy, but looking back at the incredible things that have happened makes me feel grateful.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

In today’s culture, social media is huge, because at least 82% of Americans are on it. Whether it’s right or wrong, we tend to look to social media as the way to keep up with our friends and their lives. Likewise, we use it to express ourselves and let people know what we’re up to. So if you want to promote your music, or even a non-music business, learning to maneuver social media is key.

I don’t necessarily jump on every new platform that comes out. But the basics like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are used by people of all ages and walks of life. Having the potential to get your message or business in front of your ideal audience is big. So for me, I post about every show, every song I release, every interview, everything that’s going on.

Once I heard someone say “stay in front of them, or they’ll forget you.” So I adapt that mentality when it comes to having a social media presence, as I think all businesses and creatives should consider doing. It’s all about creating a buzz around what you’re doing, and developing a platform where you can share your message.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

SHOW SUPPORT. This is a hard thing to address and a hard thing to put into words. But if someone is painting or playing music and has a tip jar, tip them! Even if it’s only a couple dollars. If you tip a creative, you’re showing them that you like what they’re doing and that you respect them for spilling their guts in public.

But if you can’t show support, at least just show respect. If a music act is trying to perform in a bar, and you’re screaming at the sports game that’s on tv, that’s really not cool! There’s a time and a place to cheer for athletes, but live musicians have to be heard in order to have an impact and make a living. It’s all about people having a mutual respect for one another.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.danielchilds.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florida_musician_guy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielchildsmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbdETdD5dSjilRLm_smloCw
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5INRiwVRo8Uyp1gvPbdBZv Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/daniel-childs/534454816