We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ricky . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ricky below.
Ricky , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
Playing music, touring and making money is pretty close to impossible for most bands. I’d say most the tours I’ve done didn’t make enough money to come home in the green. Breaking even was always considered a great success. Profitability can’t really be the driving force or be a requirement if you’re going to have any longevity playing music. I think there are exceptions to this but generally speaking I’d say most would agree with this statement.
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 Ricky. I’ve spent most of my life writing and playing music all over the place. I was the front person of Western Settings and now create music under my own name and also in a band with my partner called Hey, Chels. I bartend in San Diego at Whistle Stop and Lancers when I’m not on the road. I have two dogs.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I had to drop my band of almost 10 years for various reasons. It was the band I spent all my time on the road with and worked hard to build but it was time for me to walk away. At that point I started down the path I’m on now.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I think the fact that I’m still a touring musician these days demonstrates resilience. You really have to be in order to stick around and do this for any length of time. I guess that goes for creating music as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/rickysmusic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ykcir._.ricky/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ricky.schmidt.7/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ricky_W_S
Image Credits
Krystina Fernandez, Post Party Depression