We recently connected with Jennifer Hart and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I love the art of creating something out of nothing, and I don’t think I would be my best self if I wasn’t creating or making music in some way. However, I am also not my best self when I let the business side of music consume me. Making music as more than a hobby and pursuing an entire career in it is hard, and it does not always bring joy and happiness. It’s so easy to get caught up in the numbers, stats, likes, views, algorithms, and opinions of others and lose focus of the love of music. There are no “how-to’s” when it comes to “making it” in music. You have to pave your own way and figure out what works for you all on your own (and what worked for one person does not mean it will work for another.) If you are signing up to be an artist and a songwriter, you’re also signing up to be your own full-time manager, booking agent, social media manager, creative team, marketing team, PR, record label, publisher, A&R, tour manager, business manager, etc. until you’re making enough money and strides to delegate those tasks to others. You’re working, creating, and brainstorming 24/7, and your creative brain never shuts off, even when you’re sleeping.

There are days that I feel completely defeated and hopeless, and I just want to give up and quit. I often wonder what it would be like to clock in and clock out Monday-Friday, have a routine and a set schedule, and have a steady income. I always enjoyed math and organization in school, so being some sort of engineer or architect always intrigued me. I still daydream about what it would be like if I were doing that now and how different my life would be. Would it be better? Worse? Would my mental health be better? At the end of the day, God have me a passion and a gift, and I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t at least give it a try to pursue my dreams of being a country singer and songwriter.

Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Tell us the story about the last time you had that thought, what was going on, really paint the picture for us so we can understand what you were going through and how you thought through this question and what (if any) conclusions or insights you came to.

however, pursing a career in music is not for everyone. Believe it or not, my biggest advice for anyone wanting to go into music is “don’t do it.” If I can convince them that they should not purse their dreams of having a career in music, then they are not meant to do it. If they are going to do it regardless of what I say, then they’re the ones that are mostly likely meant for this and strong enough to push through all the failures and the hardest times.

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?

I am Jennifer Hart, a country singer and songwriter. I write and sing songs! I’ve been singing pretty much since I could talk. At probably 3 years old I wanted to be a country singer, and I just never grew out of those dreams.

Before moving to Nashville, I took singing lessons, sang at recitals, sang the national anthem at sporting events, sang on the worship team at my church, wrote a few songs, joined a cover band, and competed and won the title of Miss Arizona 2013 and competed at Miss America — you guessed it, singing was my talent! Then in 2016 I moved to Nashville, Tennessee from Gilbert, Arizona, and this is where following my dreams REALLY started. In Arizona I was getting pretty used to being a bigger fish in a small pond, but in Nashville I felt like the smallest fish there ever was in the entire ocean. I had no idea what I was doing, but I just figured it out. I immersed myself in the songwriting scene, went to as many songwriter rounds and events as possible, and introduced myself to anyone and everyone, hoping someone would befriend me and help me out a little with this Nashville and music thing. I developed a little songwriting community, played some of my first shows in town, and recorded a few songs after being in Nashville about a year. Now, I co-write on a weekly basis, play shows both in and out of town whenever I can, and am constantly in the studio recording new songs to release.

I am really passionate about feeling connected to the music I write and release because if I connect with it, I’m sure at least one other person will too. I love to be vulnerable in my lyrics and say things that others might be afraid to say. I just really love to be real and authentic. I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, OCD, and social anxiety when I was 10 years old, and I remember feeling so ashamed and alone in this battle. I want to make people feel less alone when they listen to my music. I want them to feel like they have a friend in me, and I will share my emotions and struggles with them if no one else will.

I am most proud of my song, “Half the Man.” I wrote this song about my dad and my desire to find a future husband who resembles him (spoiler alert, I found that man!) I had no idea the impact this song and my dad would make on literally millions of people worldwide. Fathers and daughters have bonded over this song and are dancing to it at their weddings. To be included on one of the most special days of their lives is unbelievable. Also, go watch the music video if you get a chance. My dad and I got to be in it together, along with some real family footage from my childhood. It’s so special!

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

Become lifelong fans! Follow on social media (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook) and music streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, YouTube, etc.), engage with social media posts (like, comment, share), stream, download, and/or buy music, share music with all of your friends, buy merchandise, show up to shows. We appreciate the loyalty and support more than you know. None of it is possible without the fans!

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

Authenticity and consistency. Build your brand (you or your product/service) instead of just trying to get a video to go viral. Provide value to people. Be you. Post every single day and don’t give up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jenniferhartmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferhart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferhartofficial
• Twitter: https://x.com/jennifer_hart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKeEO2kRdQb_wwdJZYf6ygA
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferhart
  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jenniferhartmusic
  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7CtoMP5ulZz7vn2Sdj3Hiu?si=ZoZsNNoXTdSgawFE86u7Lw
  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jennifer-hart/1635653713
  Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B005KXTQHU/jennifer-hart?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_HhJzhtQZ23YKGk97ycXEUJpCp

  “5×7”: https://sl.cmdshft.com/5×7
  “Good God”: https://cmdshft.ffm.to/goodgod
  “Loveless”: https://cmdshft.ffm.to/loveless
  “1992” EP: https://jenniferhart.lnk.to/1992
  “Half the Man” Music Video: https://youtu.be/Oqrn5cHrHZc?si=NSr8tTE7p2g_G_KF

Image Credits

Eric Ahlgrim (IG: @ericahlgrim_photography)
Kayla Swayze (IG: @swayzek.photo)
Tokenbrit Photography (IG: @tokenbritphotography)
Max Meets Music City (IG: @maxmeetsmusiccity)