We recently connected with Tim Owens and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Tim thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
My dad is a retired CMA award winning radio show host in New York and retired as PR director for Verizon. I remember, as a child, he used to take me to the radio station and I would nap on the couch during his overnight shift. I would be in awe of all the gear, the process, and even the DJ’s! As a child, he would bring home promotional material (tapes/CD’s/vinyl/posters) that I would spend countless hours digging through. Hoping to find something new, unique, and naturally rebellious. During his career, he went from AM radio to Christian rock to Adult Contemporary, then finally landed on country music. I’ve watched my dad cover multiple interviews, mc multiple festivals, and own the limelight like it was nothing. Through all of this, my dad taught me a very important lesson about music and people. Never stop searching. A lot of people tend to get musically stuck in the decade they were raised. Little did my dad know, he opened my eyes to the “never ending new.” That starving artist. That basement producer. The ones who deserve to be heard, shared, and experienced. Although my parents divorced when I was 14, they both supported my musical journey and still do to this day. They tolerated band rehearsals in the basement, taking me to gigs, but most importantly, gave me the confidence to be who I am in all of this.
Tim, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Act one: The Beginning.
When I was young, I either had a tape recorder by my side or a camcorder on my shoulder. Being raised in a musical home, I learned the importance of “capturing things.” Capturing recordings of me playing with friends, playing “cops” as the a cam operator in the back seat, or just making goofy recordings by manipulating tapes and various sounds with effects peddles and analog synthesizers. I started rapping at 14, in my first band by the age of 15, DJing by the age of 16, and recorded my first official band demo by the age of 19. I fell in love with electronic music at an early age. Before I understood what it even was. That snare that just sounds so different. Or those claps that make you feel the transients. Bands like The Human League, Pet Shop Boys, Berlin, and Chrumbacher were just a few that caught my attention. At the age of 19 I bought my first drum machine and 4 track analog cassette recorder that started my journey in understanding studio production workflows. After doing multiple shows in and around my city, it was time to choose a career. Following my fathers footsteps, I chose Radio/TV communications. I found it easy and quite cathartic to produce/host college radio shows. My friends and I ran the gamut across the board. Everything from Christian emo/metal to underground vinyl house music.
After graduating, I got married and joined the ministry playing drums, guitar, and leading worship for the church. During this time I was hired by Time Warner Cable as a tech/serviceman. Climbing telephone poles at 3am, crawling under muddy trailers, and getting endlessly rained on wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but there was a goal. Time Warner Cable had a Media Department within the same building I reported to as a cable tech. After making nice with them for two and a half years, I was joyfully cross promoted as a Producer/Director. Throughout those two and a half years, we discussed endless amounts of creative ideas, my experience with linear and non-linear video editing, and dad jokes. At the time, Time Warner Media was responsible for the production of cable television content. We produced television commercials, short/long form cable television content, that later allowed me the time to branch out into starting my own wedding videography side hustle. I spent the next 9 years leading the competition as the 3rd highest Producer/Director/Editor of deliverables in our division.
Even though things seemed alright on the surface, Tim and his then wife, decided to part ways and filed for divorce.
Act two: The Stream Broke the Dream
At this point, you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Hey Tim. Cable Television? Is that still a thing?”
Yes, although its slowly becoming the next bowling alley, it’s still alive and well in some peoples homes.
“But, Tim. What happened to you? Are you still there? Divorce?”
No. Unfortunately, the Cable Television industry was hit by the streaming boom. It was November 2012 when 85 of us were “sent home” with severances. Two to three more phases of layoffs later and it was clear. Cable TV lost its battle with streaming services.
This brought me to where I am today. The beautiful sate of Florida.
During this transition I was knee deep in producing chart topping, underground electronic music projects. Writing originals, creating remixes, and trying to figure out what my next steps were in this crazy world of content creation. I quickly became familiar with the Orlando scene and began DJing deep house and house music at multiple venues. Shortly after setting my feet in Orlando, I fell for a creative arts director at a local church. Her drive, tenacity, and ability to follow through the creative process is what drew us together. We created internal content for the church so much so that they hired me as their Executive Media Director. This put me in charge of the AVL Departments for services and special events, internal and external/social media content creation, as well as worship leader and photographer. Yes, it’s true what they say about ministry. It can be extremely challenging, but just as equally rewarding. Sometimes…..
Throughout all of this, I chose to stop producing music and start producing babies.
Act three: Broken Dreams Are Still Dreams
After a few years in ministry, two more children, and covid-19….everything changed. My then wife and I decided to leave the ministry and part ways. Within this new world of time sharing and co-parenting, I began teaching Digital Film and Video Production at F.I.R.S.T. Institute where I continue to lead, inspire, and educate to this day. One of the best things about working for F.I.R.S.T. is that gives me the opportunity to be active in the arts and entertainment community. So, it was time to pick up the creative pen again. This is where I met Michael Cochran. Michael and I worked together at the institute for a few years before he introduced me to Maria Terranova Sadovnik. Together we formed the underground art collective MüVarts and produced “MüVment 1: La Nuit des Étoiles.” The first in a series of 5 original visual art pieces. https://www.muvarts.com/watch-la-nuit-des-etoiles
My most recent project “Skywire” is a live performance DJ/Producer act that is currently active in the underground electronic dance music scene. With multiple tracks, ep’s, and remixes already on the release schedule for 2024, Skywire is making his buzz again and it’s already beginning to take off.
EPK: https://my.visme.co/view/x4vwejyw-skywire-epk-2
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My mission to to never stop learning. Because learning will lead me, naturally, towards my goals. Goal 1: Play EDC by 2026.
Goal 2: Increase my creative output
Goal 3: gain more followers/subs for my streams
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When Time Warner Media went through their layoff phases, a lot of us didn’t know what to do or even where to go. Some started their own small business. While others went on to marketing agencies or left NY altogether. 11 years with the same corporate entity made it easy to get comfortable so it came to all of us as a surprise. The thing that kept me going was the music, my peers, and staying active within the creative arts community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://my.visme.co/view/x4vwejyw-skywire-epk-2
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmyo.exe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skvwire
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmy-owens/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxr5JdThsHHvPUZWJqTznjw
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/skywiredj
Image Credits
Global House Alliance Records Blinded Records Tim Owens Ali Coleman