Nashville Music Guide recently had the opportunity to do a Q&A with JD about his musical journey, career and some advice for other artists:
1. What was the first song you ever performed?
Long as I Live – John Michael Montgomery
2. Did you come from a musical background?
Not actually. My mom sang in church, and I had cousin who had a couple hits in the 70’s. My grandmother passed while I was in college and I found a guitar weeks later in her house after her death. Taught myself to play and sing shortly after that. The rest is history.
3. What are your musical influences?
Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Steve Wariner to Keith Urban.
4. What is a typical day/week like for you?
Music 24-7. I have shows every single weekend, and sometimes during the week. I play over 200 shows per year! I never stop booking or looking!
5. What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career?
Create a website first, upload some videos, and start finding ways to get shows. Exactly what I did. Each year I got a little father along. The more you play out live, the more opportunities will arise. Hard work pays off.
6. What would be your advice to artists that are new to the touring circuit?
Take every single opportunity that you can even if it’s multiple shows in one day. Never settle for anyone in your band or on your team that doesn’t work as hard as you do.
7. What are 3 things that you have to have with you at all times/never leave home without?
My iPhone, my wallet, and thermos of cold water.
8. What made you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?
I taught myself guitar and how to sing in college. I was making money doing something I loved. A light bulb went off. I could make just as much money playing shows versus working 40 hours a week at a job I was miserable at.
9. If you had to describe your music in three or four words, what would you call it?
Small-town. Raw. Real.
10. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
I write songs about my life, and things I live. I grew up in Kentucky on a tobacco farm. Endless stories.
11. What has been the most bizarre thing thrown on the stage with you? How did you react?
Several years back while I was performing at a state fair show, a thimble was thrown on stage at me from an older lady. She must have been “quilting” before the show. She winked at me all night! Ha!
12. If you could perform with anyone in the world – either dead, alive, or broke up – who would it be? Why?
Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks and Kenny Chesney. All three shaped me in music and I consider them part of my artistic influence.
13. As an artists, how would you define SUCCESS?
Success is following your dreams, doing something you love, working at that dream so hard that you establish yourself financially to live a great life and owe no one in the industry money…in the end.
For more information on JD Shelburne visit:
www.jdshelburne.com and on socials @JDSheldurne on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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