Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Peter Kelly. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Peter thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

When working in the music business, every single act of kindness, acceptance, gratitude, or generosity stands out to me because there is so much rejection, negativity, non responsiveness, and people saying that they are “going in another direction.” With my general business band The Wood Vibrations, whenever a couple books us for their wedding or a corporation books us for their annual party, it is important to me that we make their events as magical as they are hoping for. These people could have chosen any one of the thousands of bands out there to perform for their big day and they chose us. That means a lot to me each and every time it happens.

On the original music side of things. At times, I’ve gone to great lengths to get my music into the hands of people who could help me out. Most of the time you don’t even get a response. Of the responses you do get, most are some form of rejection. I understand these people are inundated with music submissions. However, when someone actually takes 3 minutes of their time to give your song a listen and give you some feedback, it really matters. I remember I got one of my songs to producer Steve Lillywhite. He actually wrote me back with some very encouraging words. Those sorts of moments from someone like that can push you through a lot of hard times.

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 started playing guitar at the age of 10. I was in my first band when I was 14 and it just went on from there. I attended Berklee College of Music. I played with lots of different bands and musicians. I did cover songs, original songs, recordings, and shows for years. I love doing it all. Whether it’s playing Dancing Queen at a wedding for the 900th time…or…hearing a song I wrote in a TV show. I don’t know that I was born with as much talent as people I look up to in the music world, but I love working at it and monitoring my progress. It’s not always fun and easy, however, it’s what I like spending my life doing more than anything.

Currently, my main band is called The Wood Vibrations. We are an acoustic instrumentation based general business band in the New York area. We play private events and venues all around the region. We are preparing to launch a new 8 piece band configuration for bigger events. I also am still writing original music and planning to start recording soon.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I guess my particular goal is to try to impress myself one day. That’s what keeps me working at it. I play and write and record and sing and I always feel like I’m not doing a good enough job. I don’t know if it’s possible to hear something I’ve done and not have any criticism. At this point, “doing better” is the goal. Whatever comes from “do better” will feel well-deserved I hope.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I think if there is one lesson I’d have to unlearn it would have to relate to trusting people. The only person I can count on 100% of the time is myself. With that said, I often let myself down. The words and actions of people in this business are two very different things. Wether it’s a client that says they want to hire you and then vanish, an industry person who promises you the world and doesn’t deliver, a band member that says they are going to learn something at home and then shows up to the gig unprepared. Managing expectations is a lesson I’ve had to learn because taking people at their word is a habit I had to unlearn.

I was once in talks with a British Publishing Company who was offering me a deal as a songwriter. They were offering a substantial advance and had all kinds of ideas how to use me. The negotiations went on between my attorney and the company for a couple of weeks. The day we were supposed to sign, they reneged on what they were offering and my attorney advised me to not take the deal. It was classic Music Business behavior!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.thewoodvibrations.com
• Instagram: @thewoodvibrations
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewoodvibrations
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewoodvibrations8713