I had the privilege of sitting down with the incredibly talented Willie Shaw, a Nashville-based singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and former Maroon 5 team manager. Willie opened up about his journey from Division 1 student-athlete to successful musician, emphasizing the importance of mastering his craft and the caution that comes with pursuing mentors. He also shared how embracing love, grace, and open-mindedness helped him when his plans didn’t seem to align with God’s.
During our very real conversation, Willie revealed how he found success in the music industry by seeking out mentorship and being brutally honest with his community. This approach allowed him to build relationships and find support, which ultimately led to opportunities to open for acts like Sammy Hagar, Old Dominion, and Brantley Gilbert. We also dug into Willie’s struggles with performance-based identity, relationships, and anger, and how his faith played a significant role in overcoming these challenges.
To top it all off, we explored Willie’s upcoming album, which captures the spirit of the American Southwest with influences from Laurel Canyon and the Eagles. If you’re a fan of that era of music and songwriting, you won’t want to miss this episode. So, tune in and let Willie help you learn valuable life lessons from his inspiring journey.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Experiencing Love, Grace, and Open-Mindedness
- Embarrassing Singing Moment
- From D1 to Street Performer
- Overcoming Immaturity and Rage
- Finding Success Through Community and Mentorship
KEY QUOTES
“No master of their craft or genius gets there without rage” – Willie Shaw
“You can’t be satisfied until you realize your gifts are not for you” – Willie Shaw
“Just because someone’s older than you doesn’t mean they should be your mentor. Wisdom doesn’t always follow age.” – Willie Shaw
“Not everyone is worth being your mentor.” – Willie Shaw
RESOURCES
CONNECT WITH WILLIE
- Twitter: @willieshawmusic
- Instagram: @willieshawmusic
- Facebook: @willieshawmusic
- YouTube: @willieshawmusic
- TikTok: @willieshawmusic
CONNECT WITH J.R.
- Facebook: @jamesJRreid
- Instagram: @jamesjrreid
- LinkedIn: in/jamesjrreid/
- Twitter: @jamesJRreid
- Website: jamesreid.com
- Check out The Clutch Club™️: jamesreid.com/club (For Men Only)
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EPISODE CREDITS
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you’re listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com and let them know we sent you.
