We were lucky to catch up with Jack Settle recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jack, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was 17-years-old, I woke up one day with extreme vertigo and a loud ringing in my right ear. Confused and disoriented, I quickly realized that I had almost no hearing in my right ear. The condition was soon diagnosed as Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (unexplained sudden deafness due to an issue with the inner ear). After the doctors tried two different unsuccessful treatments, they resorted to administering a series of steroid injections through my ear drum. These injections brought back a significant amount of hearing, though I was still left with permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic vertigo.

As a musician, the sudden hearing loss was terrifying. I had recently begun playing guitar and singing simultaneously. I had been considering pursuing music as a career. But, as someone who had learned to sing with the help of two ears, it felt impossible to sing while only receiving information from one ear. For over a month, I didn’t make any music. It was the longest I’d ever gone without picking up the guitar and singing.

I remember singing with some friends for the first time after I regained some hearing. I was almost brought to tears by the euphoria of the music. In that moment, it became clear to me that I needed to pursue a career in music. Hearing only degenerates with age, so there was no time to waste. The following year, I graduated high school and moved to Nashville, TN to cut my teeth and learn the ins and outs of the music industry. That was five years ago, and I have loved every second of it!

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.

My mother would tell you that I have always been musical. When I was a toddler, she remembers watching me sway in my stroller to the pulsating songs of the cicadas. I started guitar lessons in first grade, and I soon became captivated by rock music. I just wanted to play an overdriven guitar and rock out. It is still comical to me that that long-haired kid became a country singer and now wears a cowboy hat. I think the musical transition happened synchronously with my teenage voice change. At age 12, I realized that my voice was low enough to sing the chorus of “Your Man” by Josh Turner (“Baby, lock the door and turn the lights down low…”), and suddenly, I liked country music.

In my country music-listening infancy, I would often be found listening to pop country artists such as Florida Georgia Line or Luke Bryan. Some have compared that type of music to candy. It gives you an initial “high,” but leaves you with a headache and unsatisfied stomach after consuming too much of it. After surviving on “candy” for a few years, I found myself searching for a “musical meal.” I needed to listen and be inspired by something that was authentic and real. This led me in two directions: away from the mainstream, and back in time. These days, some of my favorite artists that I’ve found through those routes include: the Turnpike Troubadours, Jesse Daniel, Sierra Ferrell, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson.

My goal as a songwriter, singer, and artist is to create music that is authentic, real, and NOT candy!

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

Last month, I got fired. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

I was working at a print shop while simultaneously pursuing a career in music and starting a pressure washing business. I was also recently engaged and had begun the process of planning a wedding. There were a lot of things in my life that required attention and work, and my day job became the lowest priority. My motivation and drive at the print job plummeted to 0. I had to drag myself into that building every day, and after every break. As a result, my punctuality (which already was not “perfect”), started to decline. I was showing up late and taking long breaks.

While my termination of employment was completely justified, I was surprised and upset for a few hours. Then, I realized two things: 1) I never had to go back to that job, and 2) I actually had the time to pursue my “side hustles.” This is where the pivot happened. I had worked in the printing industry for five years. It was the only “real” job that I’d ever had. The last time I left a print shop, I ended up at another one. This time, I made a choice to not seek another job in that industry.

While it has only been a month, I can say with certainty that I am happy with my decision. I feel healthier, both mentally and physically. My main source of income has been the pressure washing business. I have enjoyed working outside, and with nobody standing over my shoulder. The clients have been wonderful — many have brought me water and sodas, and one even invited me in for lunch.

The ability to create my own schedule, and make a larger amount of money in a smaller amount of time, has allowed me the flexibility to focus on music. Last week, I released a new single and played it at a show with people I look up to. My song was featured on the same list as a new Dolly Parton song. I’ve been able to soak in and enjoy these moments without dreading going to work the next day.

I remember a conversation that I had with my fiancé a couple months ago, before I was fired. We were discussing our 5 and 10 year goals. I told her that I would like to be fully self-employed in 5 years. I had no idea that a pivot was coming, but I’m so glad it did.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, there are two sides to this: the art and the reception.

The Art: Making a song can be a long process. It starts as a theoretical combination of lyrics and music. Sometimes one stanza is written, sits around, and the song gets completed later. (One of my songs was a “work in progress” for 3 years). It is incredible to hear this theory become actuality when the song is recorded. I have recorded songs alone (instrument by instrument) and with a live studio band. No matter the method, it is so rewarding to hear the final product.

The Reception: The artist and fan relationship is something that I have never experienced outside of music. It is almost a symbiotic relationship. When my art means something to someone, that means something to me! It goes in a circle. It makes all of the effort and work put into creating that art feel worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jacksettle.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jacksettlemusic
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jacksettlemusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuRjoCMwzaZ90WDaLJYV4DA
• Other: Music TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jacksettlemusic Jack’s Pressure Washing: Website: www.jackspressurewash.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackspressurewash/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pressurewashingnash

Image Credits
Nash Nouveau, Nathan Nance, Eric Dawson