We recently connected with Gayle Davidson and have shared our conversation below.

Gayle , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

I have always wanted to be a performer, actor, singer-songwriter, author, etc. I don’t think there was a moment when I wanted anything else. I worked for many years doing various acting jobs and singing in bars, and clubs. After I had my daughter, I started getting more into the business side, starting in film and TV sync which led me into booking and then management. I think if I hadn’t had the first-hand experience myself as an artist in the industry, I wouldn’t have had the capacity to use that to help others. I can really use my own experiences and mistakes as well as the wins and growth and share those nuggets with the artists/clients that I work with. After managing artists for several years, I realized that as well as being a connector of people, I enjoy getting affirmation for work that deserves it and find pleasure in talking/writing about it. I love what I do, and this is the perfect time in my life to be exactly where I’m at.

Gayle , 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 grew up in the UK, doing theater, singing and performing from a young age. I moved to the states in 2001, played in bands and as a solo artist all over NY and LA, wrote songs with some well known songwriters, and was lucky to have songs featured in film and TV. I was pregnant with my daughter in 2008 and got involved with a licening company in LA run by friends and ended up running the company. It started as a sync company, which i expanded into a booking/consulting company. I started booking shows, which eventually led to management. I wanted to create something that I had wished I had as an artist, so I used that as my goal to help other aspiring artists have a place to go to book shows, be represented, give advice and develop. After moving to Nashville in 2017, I worked in management for a while, then before the pandemic, I decided to change gears into PR. A good friend introduced me to ICON in Los Angeles, and shortly after Icon Nashville was born. I started building a clientele from contacts and word of mouth. I met my business partner Ben Jackson who moved from Australia to Nashville a little over a year ago, and he came on board, and since then, we have gone on to work with grammy award-winning artists and even politicians. We love working with young up-and-coming talent and seeing them shine, doing their first TV performance or interview. A lot of what we do is coach clients through tricky situations and give encouragement as well as book print media, online media and Television opportunities. It’s an exciting job, and you never know what’s gonna happen next. I’m so proud that this year, we have managed to work with such incredible people, and experience events that I could only dreamed about.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

There is a book called The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. This book is a night- stand MUST.
Whether you are a creative or a business owner, it reminds you that resistance is everywhere and we all resist.

It also reminds you to be in the moment, and seize it. If I have an idea, I need to get to it right then and there.

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

Yes, I was going through a really tough divorce and didn’t have a regular job. I had lots of experience in many aspects of the music business but wasn’t making any money. I started helping bands that would come over and record in the studio that I ran with producer Drew Sherrod. I would answer all their questions about releasing records, distribution, registering masters and booking shows from years of doing it all myself.
One band asked if they could hire me, and that started a whole career in management that lasted several years and took me all the way to Nashville.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.icon-publicity.com
• Instagram: @gayledavidsonpr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayle-davidson-2900666/