We recently connected with Guy Jaquier and have shared our conversation below.

Guy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

Covid was obviously a problem and was unexpected. It virtually shut down all live music overnight. Artists who depended on making money from playing live gigs were put out of work for months and years. The financial strain on the industry was tremendous. It is only now recovering. Operation Encore tried to help our artists survive and get through the challenge through some levels of financial support, but also maintaining a strong community of like minded veteran artists. For many, the network was their lifeline. Luckily, resiliency is something that is taught in the military.

Guy, 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 am honored to serve as a board member for Operation Encore, a non-profit that helps active duty, veteran and military spouse singer/songwriters with their professional music careers. We currently work with 29 artists from all branches of the service, helping them by professionally recording their original songs, producing a podcast series of artist interviews, booking gigs and festivals, producing music videos, assisting with marketing and promotion, and creating the first ever military veteran “music industry boot camp” for professional development held annually at Zac Brown’s Camp Southern Ground. The music industry is a tough business but Operation Encore acts as a “career accelerator”, helping those from the military community make up for the 4 to 20 years in the service of our country rather than pursuing their music dreams.

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

Professional musicians do this for a living. It is not a hobby or something to get them a few free beers. Go to live music events. Pay for tickets. Follow your favorite artists. Consider actually buying their music. Support efforts of artists to capture higher levels of streaming revenues. None of us want to live in a world where all art and music is created by AI and its algorithms. Consider finanical support of the arts as an investment in your soul.

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

I am lucky enough to be able to volunteer my time and resources to Operation Encore and the military community that it supports. It is often said that one gets back more than one puts into volunteer work. That is my experience. It is so very rewarding for me to help those who served our country, many of whom were literally blown up in far off lands so that those of us at home could sleep soundly at night. It is our turn to serve them, to help them return to our country and to chase their dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: Operationencore.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OperationEncore