We were lucky to catch up with Tia Simone recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tia , thanks for joining 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?

I have been able to earn a full-time living for my creative work! absolutely! The journey has not been easy of course but the journey has been a success! I started singing and performing when I was a kid and I went to school for music but I was absolutely unhappy and I moved to Los Angeles when I was 24 years old and now I’m 43 and I have toured all over the world. Been in places that I never even would have thought of. If I knew what I knew now, back then, I probably would have skipped college entirely and gambled on my talent a bit more. Not necessarily gambled but believed in myself more. I have no regrets and will never have any regrets because I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you guys!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello readers, I am Tia simone! your vocalistic diva! I grew up in Michigan in a house full of women. We were very creative and fun and active and silly. My mother had a very diverse pallet for All Things music and art. I started singing in the church as a kid. I sang classical music and opera. I then went to college for music and studied classical Opera and then jazz. I was really bad at music theory and didn’t quite understand my left brain. so I moved to Los Angeles at the age of 24 with $600 in my pocket and a job at Taco Bell waiting for me. because my mother had always said you should always be able to pay your bills! so I always consider myself a late bloomer because I worked so much and did music on the side for so long. but when I finally quit my full-time job which was working for Oprah in human resources and truly started my journey into music at the age of 32. I was super broke, I was singing in four bands, and nannying. I also wasn’t singing jazz or Opera anymore I was now singing soul and Rock. I always felt like I had too much energy to sing opera or jazz. I move around too much LOL! there’s something about being on a stage and utilizing the entire stage. Being in those four bands taught me how to connect to an audience and taught me how to be free and be myself. taught me which things were important when being a performer. knowing that I have the power to bring happiness and joy to others by just being myself. That’s probably the biggest gift I received from my journey in this crazy chaotic fantastic world of entertainment.

Right now I am on tour with a band called Postmodern Jukebox and I have toured the entire world with this band over the last 3 years. I’m so grateful and then in January of this year I finally committed to doing my own show which was an absolute success! The energy in the room was Electric, the vibe was dope and I had a 12 piece band plus three backed up singers, costume changes, wig changes and magic! I cannot wait to do it again!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and a creative is the fact that I get to be the master of my own creativity. I dictate how I show up in this world. and I’ve done both sides of this life. I’ve done the nine to five and worked for others. and still work for others. but there is something about being an independent artist that is special. I live a life that is Uncharted that is more open to possibilities of this great wide world on a scale that I never thought I would ever encounter or encapsulate in my lifetime. as I said before, this journey is not an easy one but it’s not supposed to be. I am a Buddhist, and I truly understand that life is struggle but I have the power to change my circumstance and my life within. and that goes for anyone, any human being. we all have the same power. it’s just how you choose to wield it.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I have finally realized my mission in this world is to be a support and a light to others. It might sound corny, but I don’t care. I am truly one who understands my purpose. The ultimate goal for my life is to live a life of integrity, passion,and happiness and help others realize their purpose and mission. I can do that, I have the power to do that on stage through my performance. . There have been so many fans that come up to me and just say thank you because I have helped them gain confidence or help them to remember that they are special. That’s the most rewarding. a wise woman once told me “it’s not always about you”. it may sound harsh but it’s true. and I truly truly get it now.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tiasimone.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/tiasimonedotcomn
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/tiasimonedotcom
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/tiasimonedotcom