The Music Executive

The Power of Hobbies: Enhancing Creativity and Well-Being for Musicians

In this episode of The Music Executive Podcast, host Cinnamon Denise discusses the challenges of small talk and how delving into non-music related hobbies transformed her music career. 

By engaging in jewelry making, exploring the world of tea, and embracing fitness, Cinnamon enhanced her creativity, decreased anxiety, and discovered new skill...

In this episode of the Music Executive Podcast, hosted by Cinnamon Denise, the focus is on making rehearsals efficient and productive. 

Cinnamon shares five critical steps to improve rehearsal experiences: making an agenda, being prompt, leaving time for fun, following up with participants, and recording the rehearsal for future review. The episode also emphasizes the importance of camaraderie, punctuality, and continuous improvemen...

In this episode of The Music Executive, host Cinnamon Denise explores the innovative idea of using mood boards to enhance the music production process. 

Inspired by a YouTube series from a fashion designer, Cinnamon decided to implement mood boards to visually represent song concepts, aiding in decision-making and creativity. The episode details steps for creating and utilizing a mood board, aligning musical elements to it, and main...

In this episode of The Music Executive, host Cinnamon Denise addresses the frustration of creating numerous incomplete projects and offers a strategic approach to overcome this cycle. 

By identifying three key skills and focusing on them exclusively for two to three months, artists can build confidence and see tangible progress. 

Cinnamon shares her personal journey, outlining how this method revitalized her music production and pers...

In this episode of The Music Executive, host Cinnamon Denise explores the concept of ethical collaborations in the music industry, emphasizing the importance of equitable efforts and mutual benefits. Cinnamon outlines three key principles for fostering ethical collabs: being forthcoming and honest, mindful, and nurturing relationships. 

The episode provides practical advice for musicians at any career stage on how to communicate eff...

In this episode of the Music Executive Podcast, host Cinnamon Denise provides an in-depth guide on how to prepare for an open mic performance, drawing from her extensive experience as a live sound engineer, host, and musician. 

Cinnamon offers practical advice on understanding different types of open mics, adhering to venue rules and cultural norms, and being prepared with the right equipment and memorized music. Listeners will also...

In this episode of the Music Executive Podcast, host Cinnamon Denise shares insights into building a sustainable music career by exploring alternative career paths within the industry. 

Drawing from personal experiences and extensive research, the episode details four unique music-related career options: neuroscientist specializing in music cognition, ethnomusicologist, archivist, and interactive media/music specialist. Cinnamon Den...

In this episode of the Music Executive Podcast, host Cinnamon Denise addresses the contentious issue of accepting unpaid gigs in the music industry. She discusses the fine line between valuable exposure and blatant exploitation, providing listeners with practical advice on how to vet opportunities and determine if they are worth taking. 

Key topics include:

• researching the gig, 
• assessing personal and professional worth, 
• setting b...

In this episode of The Music Executive Podcast, host Cinnamon Denise reflects on the past year and shares insights into thriving in the music industry. She discusses the importance of making the 'next best decision' and drawing inspiration from the resilience and adaptability of salmon. 

Through personal anecdotes and lessons learned, Sentimental emphasizes the significance of intentional decision-making and embracing chal...

In this episode of the Music Executive podcast, host Cinnamon Denise explores how musicians, producers, songwriters, and other creatives in the music industry can avoid burnout. 

Drawing from personal experience working as a live sound engineer and musician, she breaks down the four identified levels of burnout—pre-burnout, early stage burnout, burnout, and full wildfire burnout—and shares strategies to prevent reaching the severe s...

In this episode of The Music Executive, host Cinnamon Denise sits down with incredible pianist Phil Adair. 

Phil shares his musical journey, starting with early piano lessons, his love for classical and jazz, and his professional growth through jam sessions and music education. 

The conversation covers Phil's experiences touring and working on various music projects, his approach to selecting the right opportunities, and the imp...

In this episode of The Music Executive, hosted by Cinnamon Denise, listeners are introduced to Nakia Peck, an anointed musician from New Orleans, Louisiana. Nakia shares his journey from growing up in a challenging environment to becoming a skilled multi-genre musician. 

He reveals the impact of his mentor on his life, the importance of accountability groups, and his strategies for consistently posting quality content. 

The discussio...

In this episode of 'The Music Executive', host Cinnamon Denise welcomes Isaiah Hill, a self-taught piano player and successful music composer based in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Isaiah has played for notable artists like Keith Sweat, Monica, and Tamar Braxton. He shares insights about his journey, from learning piano as a child to earning a full tuition scholarship at the prestigious Berkelee College of Music. Isaiah discusses his...

In this episode of 'The Music Executive,' host Cinnamon Denise welcomes Tangela, an Austin-based audio engineer with an impressive portfolio, including work on productions like Hamilton and Little Mermaid. 

Tangela shares her journey from church audio setups to college and professional sound engineering, emphasizing the importance of persistence and finding mentors. 

The discussion covers pet peeves in live sound, the signi...

In this special episode of The Music Executive, host Cinnamon Denise interviews Infinitus, a critically acclaimed beatboxing string trio known for their unique fusion of classical, hip hop, jazz, and Latin music. 

The trio, consisting of John, Anthony, and Alex, share their journey from university friends to an innovative musical ensemble. 

They discuss the challenges they faced in creating their sound, their transition from senior o...

In this episode of The Music Executive, host Cinnamon Denise welcomes Dustin Fichter, an Atlanta-based musician known for his guitar skills and diverse collaborations. 

Raised with a strong jazz background and influenced by his aunt, a violinist for the Atlanta Symphony, Dustin shares his journey into music and the importance of sight reading. 

The discussion covers effective practice strategies, particularly for those with limited t...

In this episode of 'The Music Executive,' host Cinnamon Denise welcomes guest J'na Jefferson, a New York-based content creator and producer with extensive experience in both print and digital editorial work. J'na shares insights from her journey in journalism, detailing her transition into audio production. 

She describes her work with Universal Music Group on creating talk playlists that bring historical music n...

In this episode of 'The Music Executive,' host Cinnamon Denise interviews Jeff Ralston, a talented guitarist and friend. 

Jeff shares his experiences of moving to Atlanta, transitioning his music career, and how he prepared to succeed in a new city. 

The discussion covers critical aspects of 

• laying a solid foundation, 
• doing the footwork, 
• and crushing the real work to establish oneself as a professional musician. 

Je...

In this episode, Cinnamon interviews Emmanuel Chops Smith, an accomplished pianist, singer, producer, arranger, and band leader. 

Emmanuel shares his musical journey from playing in church as a child to leading bands and performing across various genres. The discussion delves into the importance of camaraderie, good pay, and quality music in bands, along with key takeaways from Emmanuel's experience as both a successful band me...