Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny-Ray Hubbard.
Johnny-Ray, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started playing guitar in my bedroom at about 12 years old and stuck with it all through high school and most of my life. I played in bands but was always half-focused on other things like school, working to pay bills, etc. I was even homeless for a little while after high school, mostly couch-surfing but not always able to find a place. In those days, I’d often play (and sing) at parties to get a place to stay and something to eat. Eventually, through help from some friends and a mentor, I was able to work myself out of that situation and into a more stable life. I then went back to school because at the time I wanted to be a writer. The music thing still seemed like a silly dream, but after school I became much more focused on it. I taught myself business, read tons of books on making a music career happen, learned a bunch of instruments, began taking students, and started taking my songwriting more seriously. Now I’m married and constantly working to expand my repertoire, my business, and my session work. My twenties were a tumultuous affair, to say the least, but now that I’m doing what I love, things are much better and easier.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Well, as I wrote before, shortly after I moved out of the house as a teenager I fell on hard times and was too stubborn to drag myself back home. Poverty and hunger were consistent companions for me in my late teens/early twenties. But aside from that, the real struggles, I think, have been mental. You know, the daily grind of getting up, making a decision and sticking with it. Staying focused on long term goals without losing sight of the forest for the trees. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to do, though through a lot of self-training, help from friends and especially my wife have been instrumental in keeping the ship righted. Life can be a difficult thing, but you just have to grit your teeth sometimes and move forward and stay curious and hungry for opportunities.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am something between a business owner and a freelancer, really. I’ve been called a ‘renaissance man’ a few times, which is really more flattering than I deserve! But it is true I do lots of different things and always try to incorporate new stuff, which I suppose makes me somewhat unique. I play several instruments and sing, sometimes I do session work for people when they need tracks recorded and either can’t do it themselves or can’t do it efficiently (studio time is expensive). I also release music as Johnny-Ray Hubbard. I have a new record coming out this Summer, “KNOCK”. The first single will be out very soon on all the platforms and streaming services. I also stream live solo shows on NEXT Music, which is a gaming app you sort of compete for attention on, and people can tip you and so forth. It’s pretty fun! I also paint and draw and sell various pieces from time to time. A good friend and I have a 3-d printing business called M3is3D. You can find our stuff on Etsy and eBay.
My main source of work/income, though, is taking on music students, I teach students from five years and up, and build the curriculum based on the specific needs of the student. With young kids, it’s largely a matter of introducing them to music as a subject. We play games and learn what different instruments sound like, and learn a bit of theory at the piano or with the ukulele. With older students the curriculum is more focused, usually around a specific instrument/instruments. I have quite a few guitar players, but also vocalists, a ukulele student, and even a harmonica student! I think I’m most proud of being able to incorporate the students’ goals into the fundamentals. Being able to teach directly to one student (sometimes two, if they have a small child I teach the parents too, so they can reinforce lessons and ideas at home) makes me both very flexible yet focused on the next goal. I try to help people see that fun and discipline often go together and are not nearly as at odds as people often think!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
When I was going through my bout of homelessness, I had several people who helped me out, too many to name here. But one person who I’d like to mention by name is Dewitt Weaver, who gave me a place to stay, lots of advice, and helped restore my sense of self-worth and self-discipline. If he had not done that, there’s no telling where I’d be right now. I also have to mention my wife, Jenny, who has been very supportive of my crazy dreams and ideas and having to hear me practicing all hours of the day. The metronome is a musician’s best friend, but probably not hers! She also does a lot of graphic design work for me, as that is her day job. It’s great being married to an artist who also understands the various difficulties and aspects of living that sort of life. I owe her everything. I also want to give a shout-out to my good buddy and song swap partner, Chris Edwards. Go check his music out and come see us play when we come through. We’re a good time!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 936-212-7522
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Johnnyraymusiccoaching/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/johnnyrayhubbardmusic/
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