Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jack Silverman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jack, appreciate you joining us today. Are you 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?

I think in order to earn a full time living pursuing the arts, there’s not necessarily one way to do it, but you’ll find common threads that persist regardless of the specific art form. I’m a big believer in the power that comes with consistency. A lot of artists struggle with the feeling of not being where they want to be, but that can be so overwhelming, not to mention it’s usually accompanied by a healthy dose of being harsh on yourself. Those small steps day in and day out are the controllables in life that we all have access to, regardless of career path. I refer to it as doing what you need to do right now, so you can have what you want later.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For as long as I can remember I’ve always been enthralled by the level of skill and commitment that comes from people at the top of their craft. Whether it was athletes, musicians, entrepreneurs, I was hooked on what it meant to bring a vision into reality, and what it takes to make that dream thrive on a consistent basis.

I first picked up the sticks when I was 10, and in the 14 years since, it’s been a journey of accepting how things often happen in their own time. Especially in today’s culture of instant gratification and constant comparisons it can be maddening to feel like there isn’t space or time to realize those dreams. My approach has always been, the time is gonna pass anyway, might as well go after something that makes it worthwhile. I’ve found that a level of discipline and staying locked in to your vision has incredible strength, especially in the long run. Longevity has always been a cornerstone value to me. If this is what I love, what do I need to do to ensure I can do it to the best of my ability for decades to come?

. In a musical setting, that focus and dedication are things that I’ll often lean into. The artist is hiring you with a specific vision in mind and I really try to honor that with the level of preparation and professionalism that I bring to a gig or session. I’ll sometimes joke how I’m just out here tryna debunk all the negative drummer stereotypes, but at the end of the day, it’s because I love what I do and I take pride in that work.

In my opinion, there’s nothing better than working with peers who inspire and push you to be great. Perhaps it’s due to the many years of playing team sports growing up, but the communal aspect of music is one of the main reasons I fell in love with it, and the sense of community in Nashville is incredible. I truly could not do what I do without the support of friends and colleagues, and their successes and stories get me so fired up in my own life. I owe so much to the wisdom of musicians who have come before me, and Im so thankful to be out here just doing the damn thing!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

When you’re self employed, you’re the last line of defense. If you don’t go out and get that gig, you don’t eat. Period. Musical talent and skill are important, but self reliance, a firm handshake and being organized are just as crucial. (I’m an 80 year old man trapped in a 24 year olds body I know)
Growing up, I worked construction, and even if you didn’t have a good day, you were still walking home with a paycheck. I think the misnomer of music being all glitz and glamour is somewhat of the past, but at the end of the day, we’re an entertainment industry. When y’all are relaxing, we’re working. And it goes beyond so much more than money. The music industry can be really tricky to navigate, and sometimes you’re on your own to figure things out. That’s where it really helps to have some solid friends, your head screwed on straight, and an entertainment lawyer on speed dial.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I made a huge jump about 2 years ago when I decided to shift from creating music as a band member to working for myself as a hired gun. I had been in bands since I was 13, and knew it was time to try something different. While a part of me was frustrated that I had spent 3 years in Nashville without tapping into this avenue, I knew that while it’s important to know what you want to do, it’s equally important to rule out what you don’t want to put energy into. All of that to say, I don’t think I’ve ever attacked a goal of mine with as much fire and determination. I was so honed in on my mission that I’m pretty sure a building could have collapsed next to me and it wouldn’t have shaken my focus. I still feel like I’m at the beginning of this process, and it’s been such a blessing to learn from people I look up to, and stay a student of the game.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jsilvz70
• Facebook: Jack Silverman