We caught up with the brilliant and insightful MIGGS a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

MIGGS, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

When I was about 15, I picked up the guitar. My dad gifted me my first Behringer guitar for Christmas, and I learned to play using Guitar for Dummies. It turned out to be a perfect outlet after leaving the trumpet behind in middle school. I started playing at my local church, eventually leading the worship team, and later joined multiple bands to gain more experience and hone my skills.

For a long time, music was more of a hobby than a career. I wanted to pursue it professionally but felt it was important to have a steady career to ensure I could provide for a future family. Joining the military allowed me to keep one foot in the music world while serving my country. I played country music in local venues during my service and even performed in unique settings like the Elvis Presley Music Festival in Germany and acoustic sets for fellow service members stationed in Afghanistan. Those moments were special—they allowed me to bring a little bit of home and joy to people far from it.

When I left active duty, COVID-19 had just hit, and live music was struggling. Many venues in Maryland were only booking acoustic sets, but I saw it as an opportunity to get my foot in the door. Country music wasn’t as prevalent in the area, and I knew there was an audience hungry for it. Over the next few years, I laid down roots, met my wife, and adopted two dogs. Now, as we prepare to welcome our first child, I’m more driven than ever to pursue music.

In 2024, I recorded my first singles in Nashville and made my debut at iconic venues like Alley Taps and songwriter rounds at Majestic Ape Studios. These milestones mark the start of an exciting chapter, and being a contestant on America’s Next Top Hitmaker, hosted by Rolling Stone, has been a surreal validation of all the hard work.

What’s been most rewarding, though, is building my fan base and community of friends and family who’ve supported me along the way. Music has been quite a journey, and I’m deeply grateful for the people and moments that have brought me to where I am today.

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 name is Miggs, short for Miguel and I am a Texas-raised, Maryland-based, Nashville country singer-songwriter. Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember—starting from singing in the back of my dad’s Lincoln Town Car as a kid to leading worship services and performing on stages around the world.

My journey into music really had its start when in high school a scheduling mix-up placed me in choir instead of calculus. I like to think it was God’s way of saying, “This is where you’re meant to be.” That moment sparked a passion that led me to singing in state competitions, leading to playing guitar in my local church, and eventually leading worship services on Sunday mornings.

When I joined the United States Air Force, I didn’t put my music on hold; I took it with me. I played at every base I was stationed at—bringing country music to dance halls in Tucson, the hills of Portugal, and festival stages in Germany. Some of my most meaningful performances were during my deployment in Afghanistan, where I played acoustic sets for fellow servicemen and women as morale boosters. Music has truly been a vehicle that has taken me all over the world.

In 2020, I decided to focus more intentionally on songwriting and building a social media presence for my music. By 2024, I released my first three singles, each giving my listeners a glimpse into who I am. From the rowdy summer jam “Your Country Song,” to the heartfelt tribute “I Miss You Dad,” written about the loss of my father, and “Spend My Days,” a love song I wrote for my wife just weeks into dating—these songs tell the story of my life.

I’m a man of faith, family, and country—in that order. My beautiful wife, amazing daughter, and two dogs are my entire world, and we’re excited to welcome another addition to our family in the coming months.

My passion lies in writing songs that are personal, honest, and resonate with others. While my music might not be for everyone, I’m okay with that. As long as I can keep sharing my stories and connecting with people through song, I’ll keep doing what I love for as long as I can.

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

I have a love-hate relationship with social media. On one hand, I love how it keeps me connected to people from different walks of life, and I appreciate the humor and creativity you can find on it. On the other hand, the negatives—like the constant pressure to stay relevant and the unrealistic comparisons it often fosters—can be draining.

As an artist, though, I can’t deny the incredible doors social media has opened for me. Platforms like YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram have allowed me to reach audiences far beyond what would have been possible otherwise. It’s given me the chance to share my music, connect with fans, and grow my presence in ways I never thought possible.

That being said, it’s not easy. The amount of time and effort it takes to stay consistent and create engaging content—from editing photos and videos to brainstorming fresh ideas—can feel overwhelming. But I’ve learned that the hard work is worth it. Consistency and authenticity go a long way, and I remind myself that every bit of effort I put in is an investment in the larger journey.

For those outside the creative world, it might be tough to understand just how much energy goes into maintaining a presence online while also staying true to who you are. It’s a balancing act, but when done right, it’s incredibly rewarding.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience in my journey has been about persistence, self-confidence, and faith. When I first arrived in Maryland in 2020, I had no real social media presence and was playing a genre—country music—that wasn’t in high demand at local venues. It only took one venue to say “yes,” though, and everything began to take off.

In the beginning, I did everything myself. I took my own photos and videos, and my wife graciously stepped in to help with photography. That effort allowed me to build my social media presence, showcasing not just my sound but also the energy of my live performances. Word of mouth soon followed, and it became a key part of how I started booking more gigs. Even now, while I face challenges getting into certain venues because I don’t have a manager or booking agent, I stay resilient. I keep making the connections I need to land the opportunities I want, believing without a doubt in my sound, my music, and my ability to engage with audiences.

One of my biggest hurdles has been myself. I’m my own worst critic, especially when it comes to songwriting. Writing a song that’s authentic, catchy, and impactful is no small task, and that pressure often leads to writer’s block. The seven songs I recorded in 2024 were written over four years and evolved through countless revisions. Moving forward, I aim to write more consistently, collaborate with other artists, and continue growing as a songwriter. Whether I cut the song or another artist does, my focus remains on telling meaningful stories through music.

Another challenge is being heard. As an independent artist, breaking through the noise can be daunting. Platforms like social media and Spotify have helped expand my reach, but balancing my music career with other responsibilities isn’t easy. Playing gigs, creating engaging content, and managing everything from photos to behind-the-scenes footage can be overwhelming. While some artists hire social media managers, I’ve chosen to take on those responsibilities myself—for now.

Thankfully, I’ve had success booking local gigs thanks to the support of friends, fans, and the connections I’ve built. Still, breaking into certain venues without a booking agent or manager can be frustrating when emails and calls go unanswered. Despite these challenges, I’ve learned to stay grounded, keep hustling, and use every obstacle as an opportunity to grow. A big shout out to Bobby Jackson, who has pulled multiple hats as a guitarist, backup vocals, and music director. With his help since August 2023, we have continued to grow MIGGS as a household band that fans love to come and see live. His friendship, guidance, and hard work have helped pave the way for 2025 and beyond.

My faith in God has been my anchor through it all, reminding me to stay strong and keep moving forward. Surrounding myself with a supportive community of friends and mentors has also been invaluable. Every challenge has shaped me into the artist and person I am today, and I take pride in paying it forward—offering advice and support to others navigating their own journeys.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.miggscountrymusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miggs.countrymusic?igsh=OGFzcGY2bXEzNWhz&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555729830009&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@miggs.countrymusic?si=w1GatmKEk8QCCk86
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@miggs.countrymusic?_t=8nYb4LvH1DO&_r=1
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2J9mDrDyEJzpzGRJScA5Yn?si=5joAI8LYRg2WS8KDt1my7g
• iTunes: https://music.apple.com/artist/1741028742

Image Credits

n/a