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

Alright, TJ thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

At the time of me writing this, I’ve officially survived 2 years of living off of my passion, working within a highly volatile industry: MUSIC. I honestly can’t give you a roadmap or steps to take that can guarantee success in this field because there are many different ways to “get down the road” and arrive at your destination, whatever that may look like for you. As for me, I grew up knowing that I wanted to live a life devoted to creating music, living off of my musical gifts, and being able to bless others through my work. My parents are musically inclined, so I was always surrounded by music from a very young age. My father in particular is the reason why I do what I do, and played a major part in my development. I know I wouldn’t be where I am without him. My parents saw a potential in me that I didn’t see in myself; so my childhood at times seemed unorthodox and hard to understand personally. Now that I’m older though, I’m living the vision that they had for me tenfold.

Even though I’m a Jersey-Boy (born and raised), the most impactful turning point in my career was moving to Nashville, TN. From the moment I touched down, the bar and standard I once knew became a thing of the past. I found myself surrounded by people that operate on a level that I didn’t know before, and it forced me to improve faster than comfort could allow. It was stressful and intimidating at first, but it made me better and continues to put pressure on me to improve my craft. Nashville also forced me to look at what I do like a business, more than just a passion. Nashville is also a place where networks and circles are highly regarded and play a key part to the kind of work that you’ll do. I was blessed to be introduced to the right people very early in Nashville, and I’m eternally grateful for everyone I’ve met and work with because they all played a part in my success in this town. I’ll tell anyone if you live or grew up in a place where your passion or industry isn’t prominent, move to a hub/city where your craft is an eminent force.

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’m a Music Producer and Touring Musician, based out of Nashville, TN. I’m a multi-instrumentalist that’s been blessed to play with many different artists and groups, in different genres of music. Some of the artists I’ve been able to share the stage with include CeCe Winans, Vashawn Mitchell, and Grace Bowers. I’ve been touring professionally since I was 15 years old, being able to see so many different places and countries. So I’m grateful for the different experiences, cultures, and places touring as a musician exposed me to. I don’t plan on being home anytime soon :)

In between my travels, I run my own business where I work with many different artists as a producer, engineer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Depending on the project, I could be working on anything from Country to Christian. Most recently, I signed a publishing deal with EMPIRE; I’m really glad to be apart of their team. We have some great projects under way that I’m really excited about that will only expand my horizons and grow me musically.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I first moved to Nashville, I still had a regular job driving trucks. Even though I worked a regular job with no musical opportunity in sight, I would wake up in the morning, sometimes as early as 3am, just to practice or write music before I’d go to work. Sometimes with my schedule as a truck driver, I would have to work 11-13 hours. So when I’d get back home, I’d have no time to do anything musical because I’d have to go straight to bed to rest up for my next shift/load. Despite my work schedule, I still made time for my craft, even if it was a few hours in the morning. I treated those early morning practice sessions like a job, a non-negotiable obligation to myself that I had to cultivate on a daily base. Moral of the story: you’ll never live out your dreams if you live your life without vision.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Most people in March of 2020 had to create new plans regarding their future and life plans. Up until then, music was the forefront of my life. Unfortunately, COVID made the music industry practically come to complete stop. So I had to pivot and get into something different. So I started working at Home Depot, saved up some money, and went to school to get my CDL. After a few months of schooling, I acquired my CDL and started working as a truck driver shortly after I passed my test. All together, I drove for approximately 3 years. Even though it wasn’t apart of my grand plan musically, it served as a great aid financially and helped set me up for success in life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tjfullerproductions.com
• Instagram: TJFullerProductions

Image Credits

Matt Wiley
Sheriden Williams
William Agnisson