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

Hayes, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I started playing music semi-professionally in college and grad school, eventually landing a full-time touring gig in 2012 with Canadian fiddler April Verch after graduating.

I was extremely fortunate to have landed my first job in the industry before I even graduated and admit that I’ve always felt a bit guilty for not having to do the thing all my teachers said we’d have to, like working a side job, gigging and practicing where you could, etc.

During the three years I was in the April Verch Band, I was able to continue practicing, improving my chops while also learning second-hand all of the stuff they didn’t teach me in music school – advancing gigs, managing a road band, taxes for self-employed contractors. This education was just as valuable as the six years I spent in college.

In 2015 I joined Newtown, a Kentucky-based bluegrass band, for a brief stint until my wife and I moved to Grand Rapids, MI. There I worked as an adjunct college professor for a year and started posting more actively on YouTube. Mostly practice footage from my morning routine and transcriptions of my favorite jazz mandolinist Tiny Moore, but it ignited a passion for sharing video online.

In 2017, I was about to launch my channel and an online music education membership, but an opportunity to manage a 501c3 non-profit community radio station came up, which derailed my path as a content creator and online educator for a few more years.

2 weeks before we went into COVID lockdown, I put in my notice at the radio station with the idea that I would dive headfirst back into my previous plans. As with many other content creators, the pandemic gave me an opportunity to hone the various new skill sets I needed to realize my business – lighting, video editing, live streaming, graphic design, etc. Once again, this education was equally as valuable as my time spent in school or on the road.

If I knew what I know now, I would have been investing in my personal brand and online presence much earlier. The stress of having to learn all of these things at once to stay afloat during some rough years definitely added a few gray hairs to my beard, so learning to shoot/edit video earlier would have been a big boost all by itself.

Hayes, 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?

My name is Hayes Griffin and I would describe myself as a musician, content creator, and online educator. I grew up in central Ohio and started playing guitar around the age of 8, eventually landing in the realm of bluegrass music thanks to my dad and guitar teacher John Sheets. Guitar was my passion in childhood and really gave me an expressive outlet for some major life events like my parents’ divorce and grandmother’s death.
My emotional connection to music led me to pursue a music degree at Denison University and later a Master’s Degree at New England Conservatory in Boston. The Boston scene has one of the best concentrations of young musicians thanks to all of the schools there, so my grad school years served as a crucible for my playing and understanding of music.
After NEC, I toured professionally as a guitarist and mandolinist for 7 years with various folk and bluegrass bands, then worked as a college professor, and later a radio station manager at WYCE in Grand Rapids, MI.
These days, I teach at my alma mater, Denison University, but devote most of my time working with guitar players who feel frustrated by traditional online music education and need a more structured, personalized approach to their journey.
After releasing consistently on YouTube for a couple of years, I began to realize that the YouTube algorithm’s preferences don’t necessarily make for the best path if you are trying to learn something as complex as the guitar. Don’t get me wrong – it can be great if you know you need something specific like a scale exercise or song tutorial, but if you don’t know what you want and need a guided path through the wilderness of guitar education, I felt there had to be a better answer.
My solution to this problem is Guitar Club (www.hayesgriffin.club).
On the surface, Guitar Club looks a lot like other music education sites – access to a video library of guided courses and individual lessons, a community to post questions and updates, etc.
What sets Guitar Club apart from these other services though is access to my most valuable educational tool – me!
Whereas most guitar courses focus on the act of playing guitar (where to put your fingers, how to hold the pick, which notes to play when), I take a more holistic approach to learning.
Many of the issues I’ve had to unlearn in my career could have been solved with mindfulness training, so I incorporate a heavy amount of mindfulness exercises and tricks into my teaching.
Also, every one of us is unique and has our own set of difficulties when learning music and no video course can ever account for that. To compensate for this, I like to have a healthy amount of live, real-time engagement with my members to help them work through their pain points and cheer them on down the path.
Each month I host a variety of live events on Zoom like Q&A Calls, Jam Sessions, and Master Classes. Every call is an opportunity for members to ask me questions in real time, play music with me, and get a taste of my “in the moment” teaching style.
I honestly get so excited seeing the light bulb turn on for other people, so I am genuinely invested in the success of everyone that trusts me with their music education. I am really proud of the supportive community I’ve been able to grow with this mentality and approach over the last 2 years.
If you or anyone you know is interested in learning bluegrass and swing guitar or mandolin, I would love the chance to help out at www.hayesgriffin.club.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Early on in my career, social media was an afterthought. In the initial stages, I was solely focused on my craft, underestimating the power of social media in connecting with my potential audience. It was during my years as a touring musician that I recognized the tremendous potential Facebook and Instagram held for building a community around my work.

Realizing the impact social media could have on reaching a broader audience, I began to actively build my presence. One key strategy was engaging my personal network first. Friends, family, and acquaintances can be your strongest advocates. I made sure to connect with them on various platforms and encourage them to share my content with their networks. Even a group email to your closest friends asking for some help on social media can go a long way!

Another effective tactic I adopted was incorporating social media into my live shows. I always asked the audience to follow me on different platforms, turning the live experience into an opportunity to expand my online community. This not only helped in gaining followers but also created a sense of community among fans. I would even give away free merch to folks that would follow us in the venue and send a DM.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice is to leverage your personal network. These are the people who already know and support you, making them more likely to engage with your content and share it with their networks. Additionally, never underestimate the power of asking people to follow you during live shows. The personal connection formed in those moments can translate into dedicated online followers.

Consistency is also key. Post regularly on social media, even during periods when you might not be actively playing shows or creating new content. This keeps your audience engaged and ensures that your presence remains visible. Post an old tune, a fun memory, or something random from your day. People love that personal connection with you if you’re willing to share!

In essence, building a social media presence is about strategically integrating it into your overall career strategy. Engage your personal network, leverage live shows, and maintain a consistent online presence to cultivate a dedicated and growing audience.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is twofold:

1. Connecting Through Music: One of the most fulfilling aspects is using my music as a means to connect with people. Music, for me, is an incredibly emotional and personal journey. Witnessing that same emotional connection in others when they engage with my work is truly inspiring. The ability of music to transcend words and evoke powerful emotions creates a unique bond between the creator and the audience. Seeing listeners resonate with the emotions I infuse into my music adds a profound layer of meaning to what I do.

2. Educating and Empowering Others: As an educator, the rewards extend beyond personal artistic expression. Witnessing students overcome challenges they once deemed insurmountable is immensely gratifying. Whether it’s mastering a difficult technique, conquering stage fright, or using artistic expression as a tool for healing emotional trauma, being a part of their journey toward growth and self-discovery is a privilege. The transformation of self-doubt into confidence, and witnessing the positive impact that creativity can have on their lives, adds a different dimension to the rewards of being a creative professional. It’s not just about personal expression but also about empowering others to discover and nurture their own artistic voices.

In essence, the most rewarding aspects of being an artist involve the profound connections formed through creative expression and the transformative impact it can have on both the artist and those they educate or inspire.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hayesgriffin.club
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayesgriffin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hayesgriffinmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hayesgriffin
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hayesgriffinmusic

Image Credits
Sam Cooper