We were lucky to catch up with Melanie Meriney recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melanie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I love being an artist, but making consistent money full time is a continuing challenge for most in my field. That said, I’ve actually had a number of “regular” jobs that have helped me support my artist career through the years. These have included teaching high school English, being a personal assistant, driving for UberEats, waiting tables for over 10 years, and most recently, real estate. While I haven’t been able to see myself committing to a career path outside of music devotedly, these jobs have been essential in funding my creative lifestyle. There are so many ways the music industry will spend your money before it gives it back to you… these jobs have allowed me to make music videos, record music, pay for PR, radio tour, etc. The goal is to someday be making a full time comfortable living only through my music career! This is why wins in arenas like how streaming services pay out artists and songwriters, etc, are so important.

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 passion for music began in third grade when my mom would listen to country radio around the house. I had become obsessed with the song “Still The One” by Shania Twain at the time, and when I heard my dad was taking her to Shania’s concert, I begged him to take me too. Seeing Shania on stage- her confidence, her energy- was magical. I knew from that moment on what I wanted to do with my life. I enrolled in voice lessons and began writing songs and playing guitar.

While a lot has changed over the years, this passion never has. Having a goal and being driven towards that goal has manifested in incredible opening slots for major artists, mentions in Billboard & Country Aircheck magazines, a video on CMT, as well as a publishing deal (you basically write songs professionally and pitch them to major labels). I’ve gotten to travel and perform for so many people and write and release songs that represent me as an artist and a person.

I was attracted to country music because of the storytelling lyrics, but growing up in Pittsburgh, PA originally, much of my musical influence came from genres like rock, pop, and hip hop. I think what sets me apart as an artist is that I am authentic and don’t try to box or limit myself. I believe great music is great music no matter how it’s categorized.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When I first moved to Nashville, I was 18 and I knew no one. As a naturally introverted person, it took me SO long to figure out the value of networking and going out to meet other creatives and industry people. I had a lot of opportunities, internship and otherwise, that I don’t think I maximized on because I was so naive and still learning what Nashville was all about. I definitely think I wasted some time trying to find my footing. On stage, I feel extremely comfortable and I’m able to be extroverted. But in social situations, I still sometimes need to force myself to turn on the more extroverted side of me. I do think that my introversion is what makes me a natural songwriter in the first place though. I’ve always felt like I could communicate most effectively through writing. It’s definitely a double-edged sword.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I feel like maybe this is more of a generational lesson, but I think it was pretty engrained in us that college is the next step after high school and then you find a job in your field of study. And don’t get me wrong, this is the perfect path for a lot of people. If I could go back though, I’m not sure I would have attended college.

I’ve always been a great student and a very A-type personality. I like organization and checklists and knowing the next steps to things. My biggest passion, music, unfortunately happens to be one of the careers that is a complete rollercoaster with no rules or next steps. The way one person “makes it” is not necessarily the way another does. Streams of income are always changing dynamic. You get opposite advice from one mentor to the next. It’s a lot of throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks.

I went to Belmont University when I graduated high school because I wanted to be in Nashville, but I majored in English education because I was “good at it” and I wanted to be “practical”. I was always told to make decisions logically instead of emotionally. I did a Masters program and graduated with a secondary teaching degree because it “made sense”. I attended symposiums and lectures on how we were “born” or “called to” be teachers. But while I enjoyed mentoring the kids and cultivating knowledge, I never felt like it was my calling. Music has always felt like that to me.

It’s always been a struggle to try and tie together these two parts of myself, but in a battle, I choose personal happiness over security. Some of the best times I’ve had in Nashville have been in periods where I didn’t have $20 to my name. But somehow you get through. There are a lot of people who enjoy the 9-5 and the feeling of safety that comes with it. But as much as I love knowing what comes next, the possibilities of not knowing are way more exciting.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.melaniemeriney.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/melaniemeriney
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/melaniemerineymusic
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/melaniemerineymusic