We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Frank Piombo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Frank, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I started guitar lessons at the age of thirteen at a music school near by my house. At the time, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with learning to play the guitar, I just wanted to be like my idols who happen to be the Beatles. I sudied for a couple of years until I was able to put a garage band together and play local block parties. As I was approaching my senior year in High School, I made the decision to attend college. I started out as a music major, but later changed my major to education. After completing my college years, I started teaching at a local school district. I continued to play the guitar in local bands, as a back up guitarist. I did it throughout my teaching career and when I retired from education, at the age of fifty five, I decided that I wanted more out of music. I started taken jazz lesson with a well known guitarist, from the neighborhood. He introduced me to jazz, which made me come alive and transformed me to what I am today.
In the last last twelve years I was able to release six solo albums, receive multi awards for my music, as well as endorsements from seven major music corporations. I have had four of my songs placed on FYC Grammy Voting Ballot, four years in a row. My music is now streamed across forty countries, which includes three continents
The only obsticle that held me back from doing what I really loved earlier in life was fear. I was affraid to take chances and failure, because of the lack of music knowledge. I learned all about theory and harmony later in my adult life, but you know what, it’s better late than never.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a Contemporary Jazz/Internationl Recording Artist/Guitarist/Composer. I started writing my own music eleven years ago and I have not stopped since. My music consists of straight ahead jazz, funk jazz, latin jazz, smooth jazz, and soul jazz. What sets me apart from other jazz artists is that I refuse to play the game. When I write, I write for me, my family, and the experiences I have had in life. At my age, I’m too old to play games or make deals. If the music makes me feel happy and satisfied, I release it to the world!!
Some people write for the money, I write to make myself and the listeners happy. Maybe, someone can find something in one of my songs that they can relate or reminisce to.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As musi artist, I like connecting with my fans. I try keeping in touch with them through my web-site and other social media. They need to know that you are writing music not only for yourself, but for them as well. To know that your music will spark up a feeling or experience they have had, is rewarding enough for me.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I truly believe in social media, what other way can you truly cannect with your friends and fans. I use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, to name a few, to post performances, and album release dates, Make sure to increase your friends on any social media, the more people know about you, the better your product gets. I also use social media to promote my endorsers, musicians, and my record label.
When I started using social media, I was really bad at it. My daughters were a great help in getting me started. Once you start, it’s all up hill.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.frankpiombo.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/frankpiombo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041945233967
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/riggyentertainment
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/frankpiombo
• Youtube: www.youtube.comfrankpiombo

Image Credits
The Metropolitan Room, Francis LaMonica