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

Karen, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I grew up as the second eldest in a family of 11 kids. My dad was a church pastor who played guitar and sang, and my mom sang, near constantly…she had a song to wake us up in the morning, songs for cleaning…lots of songs. I was often depressed and had a lot of displaced energy growing up and my mom encouraged me to choose an instrument to focus on…my dad gave me my first guitar when I was 16. I took lessons very briefly, but I didn’t enjoy the method or process of learning guitar that way-I really just longed to sing and accompany myself with the guitar.
I spent hours in my room practicing chords, listening to cds and playing along. I developed a habit as a kid that I still practice regularly, journaling, writing…most of my original song lyrics come from that.
Looking back, I’m not convinced that I could have or should have done anything different to speed up my process of learning my craft. Everything that seemed like an obstacle in the past has proven to be a teacher in one way or another.
I was socially uncomfortable as a kid, and teenager, and I think the guitar was a great way for me to feel like I had a buffer, a focus outside of my own discomfort while at parties or events. My desire to perform and sing has been with me as long as I can remember, maybe around 3 years old I became aware of it, with my mom’s encouragement.
I went between hyperfocus and a seeming inability to focus at all…If I didn’t enjoy a certain aspect of learning guitar, I just didn’t do it. Maybe that fact was an obstacle, or maybe it just molded me into exactly who I am as a musician.

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 had the inate desire to make music and perform since I was about 3…the problem was that I was managing extreme anxiety and panic attacks which made my dream seem impossible for the years I was building and growing as an artist and performer. When my childhood friend was murdered in high school, I knew in a very real way that my time on Earth was and is precious.
It was that experience that pushed me to move through the discomfort and fully commit to my goal of being a professional musician.
Every time I go out to perform at various events (I will sing almost anywhere!)
I am delighted to receive consistent feedback from audience members that I have a unique and healing voice.
I give my whole heart and soul into expressing love and creating a vibe that is next level.
Singing original songs or cover songs, I am told repeatedly that I deliver in a way that brings joy, and for this I am so grateful.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron…my sister Mary gave me this book about 7 years ago. I was already well into my journey as a working musician-but it highlighted for me the powerful truth of taking care to maintain my fresh perspective and continue to stay inspired.
This is not always easy of course, but the book has given me a framework that my mind attached to, and I still go back to the exercises.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think what I love best about my work is the freedom, and the fun. I was driving to a gig yesterday and was struck by how exciting it is that what I longed for as a little kid…is now a part of my regular life.
Growing up in a big family, I wished I had cute dresses and cowboy boots…and now, I get to express unique self not only through songs and rhythm, but also my costumes.
I am visited by negative and unhelpful thoughts like all humans…I love how my work gets me back on track, and my hope is that I can spread that to other people too.

Contact Info:

• Website: Karenshook.com
• Instagram: @karenshookmusic
• Facebook: @karenshookmusic
• Youtube: Karenshook

Image Credits
Carina Vowels Nicole DeMarco