We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jack Miele. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jack below.

Alright, Jack thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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?

Yes, I earn all of my living as a creative. Has it been easy? Not at all. Is it totally possible? Absolutely. It just takes total dedication and tenacity. I’ve been a professional musician since I was 15 years old. It didn’t become really a reality that I could do only music and make a living till I was 21 or so. There’s a stigma that music isn’t a “real job” and that’s just ridiculous. There are so many ways to make money in this industry but you have to have a lot of irons in the fire. You’ve definitely got to diversify yourself and network and not be afraid to take on projects or aspects of the industry that aren’t just playing gigs or making records. There’s plenty of other things like music consulting or composition or music licensing, etc.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Well, I am an 11x platinum, 5x Global Music Award, 6x Telly Award winning music producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist from New Orleans. Albums that I have worked on have garnered 1 Grammy win, 5 Grammy nominations, 1 Emmy win and a Juno nomination. I’ve worked on records for Rod Stewart, Dr. John, Zac Brown Band, Jamie Foxx, Chris Stapleton, Yungblud, Steve Vai, Blues Traveler, Steel Pulse, Diplo and Switch, Ani Difranco, Ryan Tedder, G-Eazy, John Oates, Aloe Blacc, and American Horror Story.

I have also been the lead guitarist for the band The Molly Ringwalds (www.themollyringwalds.com) for the last 24 years. We have toured nationally and also done runs of shows over seas.

I have also been a live guitarist for Michael McDonald and Chapel Hart, as well as a studio bassist for a Yunblud record. I play about 150 shows to roughly 200,000 people annually and am currently endorsed by Quilter Amps, Dimarzio Pickups, Reverend Guitars, Walrus Audio, Dunlop, SIT Strings, Breedlove Guitars and Rattlesnake Cables.

It is a wonderful life but it definitely takes a lot of organization and dedication. I also have to say that my wife, Kassie, is a saint for putting up with my insane schedule. She really is my rock and we work together to make a very abnormal schedule….normal.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As a producer, the most rewarding aspect is honestly the body of work that I can look back on. After years and years of making records, I can truly see the trail behind me. I also love being able to listen to early records I’ve done and hear growth when I compare them to albums I’ve done recently. I tell artists I work with, “just try to make an album that YOU like to listen to”. At the end of the day, that’s what matters….that you created something you believe in. Without that belief, the art feels disingenuous.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Buy physical product. Go see shows. Go see shows that aren’t just the massive national artist shows. Go watch mid-level bands or local bands. It all trickles down. Stop relying on streaming services to be your only gateway into a world that is so important but most people don’t realize it’s importance. If music disappeared tomorrow, the world would be devastated and heartbroken.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jackmiele.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmieleproductions?igsh=cmpxc285aHlmNjM5
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/RqNJqPzgUx9aiNMf/
• Twitter: https://x.com/JackMiele?t=qd28-uPnw2phAobWN9b6zw&s=09