We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Michelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
When it became clear that I wanted to pursue a career in the arts, my mom and dad insisted that I made sure to have something to “fall back on” in the event of a disaster or failure. Like the parents of many young creatives, they were worried about my financial stability and future earning potential. With that in mind, we made a deal that I would go to college first. I got into and graduated from Yale with a degree in English Literature and Language. During my time at Yale, I spent a lot of time doing part time singing and acting gigs, and when I moved to New York after my graduation I continued to work part time while hustling side jobs from paralegal to receptionist to telemarketer.
Fast forward to today, and I do NOTHING but entertainment related work. I work full time as a vocalist, writer, director and event producer. It happened slowly over time, but with each gig or contract I have been able to parlay what I learned into more permanent or continuous opportunities. I am so grateful for my journey, and the truth is that the “fall back on” plan is probably the reason I am able to sustain a career in the arts.
All of the skills I gained in college and in my part time work proved to be essential to successfully navigating the business and communication sides of the entertainment industry. People often don’t realize that a full and successful career involves more than sheer talent. There also needs to be a level of business acumen, or at the very least a support system that includes a team of trustworthy people who can guide you in the right direction … creatively, financially and in legal matters.
My paralegal work continues to help me when I am dealing with contracts and business deals. My BA from Yale and even my debating skills that I harnessed in high school continue to help me be an effective communicator, a good negotiator, and a fair boss. The leaderships skills that I gained at Yale led to my being chosen to lead vocal sections, choirs, and large groups in the jobs I picked up once I started singing and producing full time. These things come naturally to me because of my experiences both at Yale and in “day job” settings that required me to step up and lead.
As far as milestones that led to my working full time, I would say that my first big corporate event involving a large choir was like a trial by fire. I secured a job that required me to provide a choir for an event for Mercedes, and then again for Washington Mutual Bank a few months later. I learned how to wear several hats (producer, musical director, singer, accountant, therapist …) in a very short time because I had no choice. Those two jobs led to an entire career involving this kind of work, and my choir (The Desert Angels) has been featured on various national television shows, done countless corporate events, and performed with everyone from Barbra Streisand to the Eagles. It is a full time gig now.
Another milestone was the time I spent touring with PM Dawn back in the 90’s. Although I grew up traveling because my Dad was a diplomat, travel as a working artist is a completely different animal. The time I spent on the road as an entertainer in my 20’s taught me how to manage my time, deal with stress, stay organized, get my sleep and just stay healthy and sane overall. I also learned how to establish personal boundaries. Now I use those same lessons even when I am home and not on the road. I have learned to be VERY particular about my time … how much I give, and how much I conserve for myself. Keeping healthy boundaries is a must when you are in this business, because entertainers are like magnets for so many people. People expect us to have unlimited energy, endless empathy and an infinite capacity to jump in and be there for others at all times, all in the name of our art. That is an impossible standard that I abandoned long ago. Touring taught me how to be realistic about my time, my needs, and my purpose. It is where I learned self care. I believe it is also why I am working full time without feeling depleted … I refuse to burn out, which is what happens when you overcommit, don’t take care of yourself, and don’t take time to continually assess what is going on in your career.
The biggest milestone of my career was when I met and chatted with Paul McCartney for 15 minutes during a soundcheck on a gig at the Hollywood Bowl. PM Dawn was the opening act of a multiple-artist all-day event celebrating Earth Day, and Paul McCartney was the host and anchor act. Paul also invited all of us to perform with him on the closing number “Hey Jude.” The musical experience was amazing, but the short one on one conversation with Paul is what changed my life. His incredible humility and affability blew me away. He is so kind and so authentic. He took time to encourage me, and we talked about the fundamentals of gigging. I learned so much in that short chat, and he made me laugh about how all gigs have the same problems whether you are a rock and roll legend or a wedding singer. He told me to never quit singing and to stay current, up to date and aware of whatever was happening in the arts at all times. He loved that he had newer artists like PM Dawn (a burgeoning act at that time) on the bill. We talked about resilience, open mindedness, “forever young” energy and keeping a laser focus on excellence. Man! I decided in that moment that I would work to become a full time musician for the rest of my life. It took time, but it finally happened. I think about what he taught me every day. Just epic.
As far as speeding up the process of securing a full time career in the arts, there are a few things I would do differently, knowing what I know now.
1. Be fearless. I tend to say “Yes I can do that!”and then figure it out later. That might make some people nervous, but I actually thrive on being thrust into unknown or intimidating circumstances. Prevailing under that kind of pressure leads to growth and self awareness, and that is my jam. I wish I had been more fearless at a younger age, but I am glad I figured it out.
2. Know who you are. Figure it out as soon as you can and commit to it. Even if things change, always check in with who you are and what you really want because artists are chameleons and it is our nature to want to belong or fit in. It took me a long time to know who I am, and I guess that comes with age. The sooner you do it the better. Those who become icons or legends tend to know who they are throughout their journey, and that keeps them true to their art and their purpose.
3. Know who to listen to and when to listen to them. In the beginning phases of my career, I often ignored really good advice from people who had my best interests at heart. I also followed some less than honest people over many cliffs. The shiny object is often just silver plated. Know your people! Your ego is the worst arbiter of good advice. Go with your gut instead.
4. Be willing to be wrong, and realize you can always change course. I used to be terrified of being wrong. I was defensive and a bit of a know-it-all. Now I welcome the lessons that come from making mistakes, and I am willing to admit when I am wrong about something or someone. It is not the end of the world. It is usually the beginning of your next chapter, and that chapter is probably very promising because of your new-found knowledge.
5. Know your value and stop charging low rates for good work. This is what keeps artists broke. When I look back at how little I charged or all the freebies I did for “exposure” … I just want to cringe. Have the nerve to say “Yes I am worth it.” Then rinse and repeat.
6. Lastly … realize that time is an illusion in many ways. I think many artists spend a lot of time racing towards their goals because of the short shelf-life the industry has manufactured for all kinds of entertainers, especially female artists. This is true of ALL jobs in the arts. It seems to be a young person’s game. Having insecurities and endlessly comparing oneself to others are both inevitable parts of the process. Don’t let that persuade you to make rushed decisions that involve the wrong projects, people, and trajectories for your soul. No career is worth that. There are so many ways to be in this business, but we should not let time beat us up. Just enjoy the ride and stay focused on what makes your heart sing. A Grammy does not define you. Money does not define you. Your age does not define you. Your choices, the way you treat others and yourself, and how you leave the planet are what define you … stick with that and you will be golden.
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
I am a vocalist, event producer, and creative director.
Producer Life:
I produce meaningful and inspirational custom entertainment for my clients, who include Fortune 500 companies, television and film producers, and touring headliners.
I am passionate about content creation. About really seeing the people I work with and for. I think that what sets me apart from many other producers is my ability to dig deep and really customize my events so that they hit the mark every time. This comes from years of truly listening to what my clients want, and that often means getting very personal and super knowledgeable about my clients. I believe that everything that happens on a stage should be relevant to the message of an event, to the culture of my client’s business, and to the end goals of the people hiring me. I do not offer cookie cutter entertainment. There is no one -size-fits all or “talent-in-a-box” approach to what I do. From scripting to contracting talent to staging to execution, there is an underlying, cohesive approach that yields something different, meaningful and inspiring. That is what I do.
Singer Life:
I produce my own shows and also work with others in a variety of settings. In Las Vegas I am known as the “First Lady of Jazz” but I sing in all genres. As a recording artist, singer songwriter and cabaret artist, my goal is to inspire and encourage people to love themselves and find their true passion. I am particularly focused on empowering women of all ages and backgrounds. My original music is healing and motivating, and I believe that my job as an artist is to lead people closer to their dreams and their humanity through the stories I tell.
I am also dedicated to keeping the music and stories of other women who came before me alive, particularly the music of women of color like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and others. Standing on the shoulders of these giants is a privilege and an honor, and I will always honor and celebrate their legacies.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I really like the book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. This book helped me to cut through all of the noise in this age of 24/7 news, social media and selfies. By identifying and sticking with what REALLY matters, we can get more done. The book teaches you how to drill down and rediscover the things that need to come first in your life. It is a calming and nonjudgmental approach to realigning your life choices with your core values. It is so important not to get washed away with the tide of inattention.
Speaking of inattention, so many creative types have some form of attention deficit disorder. I LOVE the book Delivered from Distraction by Dr. Edward Hallowell. I learned to lean in to my brain chemistry while also employing various coping mechanisms and systems to keep me on track. There is no reason to see ADHD as a curse, when it is in fact a gift that keeps so many creative people in the zone. I highly recommend this book to people who feel scattered and disappointed in themselves …. you may just have a brain chemistry issue, and that issue is actually your superpower!
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is to leave the planet better than when I found it. That can mean many things to many people, but for me it means using my talent to help people in their quest to become the best version of themselves. Music is so powerful, and it can be harnessed to create permanent and widespread change … in our bodies, in our minds, in our lives, and in the ecosystem. Facts! I am here for it and on board to do this for as long as I am here.
Contact Info:
- Artist Website: www.michellejohnson.com
- Event Production Website: www.divalasvegas.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/divamichellejohnson/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/MichelleJohnsonVocalist/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/divalasvegas
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChickSingerLV
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@MichelleJohnsonOfficial
Image Credits
Edward Foster Shawn Flint Blair Jake Klein Steve Purifoy