We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erick Fayard a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Erick thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
It’s scary enough for a new musician/actor/artist to put themselves out there in front of audiences, night in and night out.
The scariest part of my entire music journey, by far, was the exact moment it began – when I simply decided that I was just gonna ‘go for it.’
I hardly had any musical education. I couldn’t play an instrument. The most singing I had done up to that point was at karaoke nights. I had always wanted to give music and songwriting a try, but there was too much going on – work, school, relationships, sports – you know, other things that kept me busy.
So… why start this now? Or, in my case, why start this at 27 years old?
Was it living in a new town? Was it the late-night job I had? Was it no social life? Was it the beers and whiskey I was drinking that night? I’d say it was a combination of all of the above.
And the ‘fuel to the fire’ that started this whole thing was a beat-up, acoustic guitar in the corner of my empty living room. It felt like this guitar was ‘calling to me.’ For weeks.
And so, on that humid, sweltering July night in White Oak, Texas… I made up my mind. I was gonna pick up that guitar and learn to play it. I was gonna write lyrics. And eventually, I was gonna perform songs live.
I had no idea how, but I knew I was gonna figure it out. And I knew it was gonna change everything – about me, and my life going forward.
I just ‘went for it.’
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a solo acoustic musician, singer-songwriter, living here in Dallas for the past decade. Music has given me a lot, taken a lot, and taught me a lot. I just wish I would have started sooner.
I play events all over the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (bars, restaurants, hotels, private events, festivals). The events I have the most success in is when you need live entertainment, but on a much quieter, smaller scale. I play a wide variety of songs that guests know, from many different genres and decades. I also write my own songs which can be found on all streaming platforms.
I’m most proud of the fact that I followed my gut and gave music a try. I’ve enjoyed some really cool experiences playing music and have played in front of many crowds, as well as in front of many celebrities.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Buy. Your Friend’s. Art.
Buy their merchandise.
Buy their CDs.
Buy their stickers.
Buy their paintings.
Buy a ticket to their movie premiere.
You always hear the term, ‘Buy Local.’ Your friends who are artists are in this category.
People have no problem spending $10 on a double-bubble, mocha, choco, Macchiato, Latte’ from Starbucks, but complain about buying a $10 CD from your friend who plays music. That needs to change.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I have two lessons that stand out:
1) ‘It ain’t about you.’
2) ‘A restaurant is not an arena.’
Simply put, watch your volume.
I was riding a high horse after I had played some higher volume shows in bigger venues. So, when it came time to play in my hometown with my family on hand, I thought I had earned the right to play as loud as I wanted.
I was wrong.
I cleared out the restaurant that night, including my family, and was told by both the manager on duty and my family that my show was awful, and my volume needed to be adjusted. Lesson learned.
Now, if you’re headlining an arena tour, or a club show – by all means, crank it up! Just not at a restaurant.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.erickfayard.com
- Instagram: @erickfayard
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/erickfayardmusic
- Twitter: @erickfayard
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erickfayard
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-135621022
- Other: SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4HrJKYaK6yE68qMyXEvbk9?si=gBk__QjYT4a45sgPg2fW1Q
Image Credits
JAMES TAYLOR
CEO, Chief Photographer
The Dream Experiment
Dallas, Texas
INSTAGRAM: @the_dream_experiment