How To Get Started In Nashville - Advice If You're New To Town

[@mylesbrandonguitar]

Moving to Nashville on December 28th, this video came right on time💪🏾

[@TimAvenMusic]

Good luck, you got it!!!!

[@lynnglidewell7367]

Very good video Tim. You have to build a network before anything else. A network isn't just musicians it's the bartenders, waiters, restaurants, vendors, barbers, hairdressers, shop owners, people who know people. You never know where a good piece of information will come your way from so you gotta get out there and make contact. Approach it like that's your job. You gotta hustle. Do it in a good way. Be engaging with people. Be interested in them not just what they can do for you. People can pick up on when your just using them. Build that friend network and they'll pass things along to you when they hear about something that's a benefit to you. I agree with all you're saying. Back in the late 70s and early 80s I was new to Nashville and playing gigs on Broadway and around town. Never regretted it even though I moved on to other things.

[@randallbargar348]

Exactly. Never ask to just sit in. Disrupts most groups organization and karma. Your advice is well taken Tim.

[@TimAvenMusic]

I get some people might be eager but you're right, got to wait your turn!

[@CJStahlberg]

Had a chance in the early 1990's to go to Nashville playing bass and didn't do it. I took the "safe" career route and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't regret the choice. If you are on the fence about going to Nashville....."TAKE THE CHANCE" Don't end up regretting your decision 20+ years later!

[@TimAvenMusic]

Some great advice for the newer people! Thank you!

[@jameswhite5806]

Well done Tim. I have been playing in cover bands for 50+ years. Just spent a week in downtown Nashville and was amazed at the level of musicianship on lower Broadway. I think this video should be required viewing for young musicians considering a move to Nashville.

[@TimAvenMusic]

Thanks James! I'm glad you think it would be helpful for the newer people, its all about meeting others!

[@GtrsaLot-wz2ez]

Thanks Tim! Just got back from week on broadway. Did exactly what you said. Waited till end of set, compliments on gig, followed by questions n made friends 1st!!!

[@TimAvenMusic]

Seriously awesome to hear! Thats what it takes, I wish you the best of luck!!

[@ThisIsJoeRice]

Tim what a great video man. Great perspective and advice. I'm, unfortunately, the one who moved to Nashville in 2013, got discouraged in the beginning, gave up, continued with my day job and got married to my wife about a year or so later. Not all bad! but gave up on the dream pretty early and never gave it a real shot. victim of imposter syndrome, introverted and shy. Great advice though! You have to break out of your shell and just talk to people and musicians, make friends first. I was way to scared and i was 28 when i moved there! Nashville RIP 2013-2018

[@boomtap7554]

Great advice for anywhere! Thanks Tim.

[@TimAvenMusic]

Thanks for watching!!

[@This_is_fine2024]

Great advice, I'm not heading to Nashville anytime soon. I love the road and won't be giving it up. There are plenty of honky tonks in this country and I just go visit friends and family along the way

[@curtisb.8354]

Tim, that's some solid advice for any city that has a music scene. Also, some of it is good for folks who are between bands.

[@AshtonTuckerMusic]

Thanks Tim, i'm a session guitarist and songwriter coming to Nashville from the UK end of Feb for two weeks. If you're around and available, i'd love to grab you a coffee and get your advice. Appreciate all you've done with these videos, thanks again Ash

[@TimAvenMusic]

Hey Ashton, best of luck coming down here. Thanks for watching and dropping a comment, if you're in town and want to reach out just shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@janbay4119]

Good advice for anyone headed to Nashville regardless of the instrument they play. It's hard for some guitar players etc. from small towns where they are a big fish in a small pond to take rejection that they may have to deal with in Nashville. But I do know a few that put their ego aside and did very well there.

[@scottfromsouthcarolina3185]

Thanks for the advice Tim. I have a great day job but thought I could help co-write lyrics and develop melodies.

[@TimAvenMusic]

Thanks for watching Scott! You can do it!

[@donaven283]

Love the t-shirt! Great advice also.

[@CJasonThwaites]

Dang, that's a good sounding tele Tim. If it had a rosewood board id come steal it... jus sayin

[@chefsdaddy]

Thanks!

[@ZestyDrums38]

Any advice for new drummers in town? I’ve been contemplating moving down for about a year, plan to visit soon and then make the move if I fall in love with the scene, I wish there was more sources for Drummers in the area as I feel like we might experience it differently than a guitarist, for better or for worse. Love the videos!

[@thechrisremyproject831]

Hi Tim, my wife and I are flying in on Saturday, what places would you recommend for blues and r&b. I enjoy these videos, keep up the great work!

[@livingadreamlife1428]

Not Tim, but any of the bars on Broadway won’t disappoint. There are some good websites that list artists playing around town at bars and restaurants as well.

[@thechrisremyproject831]

@@livingadreamlife1428Thanks for the reply. We’ve checked out a couple of places on Broadway, all of the bands are excellent.

[@MurrayWilliams]

Be a solved problem. When people ask you to play, be there early and ready to play. Be the player who, when asked to play, is always there and trustworthy. Don’t get drunk during the show. You will make mistakes … make mistakes by trying to make the music better. Don’t miss parts because you’re scared of making mistakes. Lay out if you need to but tentative playing sucks. Guitarists: Find a part and play it. Don’t just strum as hard as you can. Always listen to what the other players are doing. A lot of musicians are flakes… be the opposite. Be fun to hang out with.

[@kenwilson6850]

Meh, I'll just start my own band.