We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shalom “J.Storm” Miller a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shalom “J.Storm”, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?
Turning my passion for music into a full-time career that I can earn a living from has not been the easiest process and still remains challenging, even to this day. I earned my first money from Music when I was 18 years old and creating beats at the youth entertainment academy in Plainfield, New Jersey .
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One of the mentors at the program took interest in some of my beats and asked if I can put them on the tape so he can let one someone hear it. That person ended up being an independent hip-hop, record label executive who wanted to buy one of my beats. I sold him that beat for $100 and ended up being the main in-house music producer for his record label. That relationship flourished, and eventually led me to being signed to a production deal with the iconic Missy Elliott.
If there’s one thing I’ve discovered about being successful in the music industry, it’s that it takes more than talent and passion. A great Olympic marathon trainer by the name of Juma Ikangaa said “The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.”
Over my 20+ year career I was willing to do whatever it took to build my career as a music producer, and that required me to develop many skills, wear many hats, and endure a vigorous process of personal development.
When it comes to the question of speeding up the process I take to heart the saying that “the shortest distance between two points is a straight line”.
I believe by developing consistency, staying on course, and avoiding distractions as much as possible, is the fastest way to accomplish your goals.
Of course it Requires a lot of discipline and the mistakes along the way are a part of the process as well but if you can manage to stay focused, the outcome will be something truly amazing.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Shalom “J.Storm” Miller I am a multi platinum and Gold, Grammy award, winning music producer. I got my start in the music industry between the ages of 19 and 20 years old working with Missy Elliott and Beyoncé on several projects. I’ve sense brought in my skills and experience to include label executive, music publisher, artist manager, educator and mentor, etc.
One of my main passion points and challenges that I hope to be a part of solving is helping creatives keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of the music business. There are so many opportunities and ways that music is used today, and it can be very difficult to learn how to monetize your music, and to create a sustainable career in the music industry. To that end I spend a significant amount of time doing panels, lectures, and other speaking engagements, where I am able to offer real world experience and practical advice to music industry hopefuls.
Currently, I am working with my team to develop an in-depth, accredited certificate program that students and other participants can take online and gain college course credit for in addition to real time experience.
Throughout the span of my career, I can honestly say that I am most proud of my ability to impact the up-and-coming generation of music industry hopefuls I think it’s important that they understand that I have experienced everything that they’re going through and are about to go through as they pursue their music careers, and I hope to be an example of not only how to be successful in their business, but how to become a person of value.
In the words of the great artist, Michelangelo “The promises of this world are, for the most part, vain phantoms; and to confide in one’s self, and become something of worth and value is the best and safest course.”
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I’ve had many challenges that tested my resilience, but as I think back, I believe none more than the 2008 recession. Prior to the recession, I was primed to catapult my career as a young record label executive I had just signed my first few artist to a major label deal. I had an amazing catalog to back up my brand, promising opportunities with major labels, and I had the support of my constituents. But by the end of 2008, all of that had came to nothing.
I had to make big life-changing decisions and at the end of it all I decided to move to Nashville.
It was a complete reset for me being that Nashville was predominantly country and I had little to no experience in the country music industry to help me establish a foundation. However, I wanted a fresh start and an opportunity to do something different so I excepted the challenge. It started very slow for me, but by 2011 not only had I received my associates degree from SAE Institute in audio engineering, but I had been excepted as a live sound engineer for some of the biggest names in Gospel music, such as BeBe and CeeCee Winans, Mary Mary VaShawn Mitchell. After that, I partnered with a colleague and managed an amazing studio, which quickly became one of the most popular studios for hip-hop, R&B and rap music in Nashville, and in 2015, I became the Licensing Executive for the largest performing rights organization in the world BMI.
The entire process of establishing myself in the Nashville music community, tested my resilience, but as I look back on my journey, I wouldn’t change anything because it wove a strength and foundation into so many aspects of my life that govern and establish who I am today.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
A list of books that I’ve read over the years that have impacted my management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy include:
The Amazing Secrets of the Masters of the Far East- Robert Collier
The four agreements- Miguel Ruiz
Jesus, CEO- Lorie Beth Jones
The 7 habits of highly effective people- Sean Covey
Mastery- Robert Greene
Principles- Ray Dalio
Contact Info:
- Website: www.powermovemg.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powermove_mg/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalom-j-storm-miller-a04781141/