Conversations with Grant Braudrick

Hi Grant, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Dallas, TX. I graduated from Plano west and then attended college at Ft. Lewis in Durango, CO. After college I jumped into the corporate world selling insurance all the while playing music and gigging around town. In 2008 I was honored to perform a month-long Armed Forces Entertainment tour to Iraq/Kuwait for our US Troops. I made the decision to leave the corporate world in 2011 to pursue music full-time. In 2012 I was invited to another Armed Forces Entertainment tour performing for our US Troops in Japan, S Korea, Guam, Hawaii, and Alaska. Upon return, I continued playing music and carving out a name in the local scene. In my free time, I found myself fishing as much as possible in the beautiful waterways we have here in Texas. After a number of years aligning with the right companies through fishing, I became a sales rep for Rainy’s Flies in 2016. In 2019 I joined forces with Temple Fork Outfitters as a fly-fishing sales rep. All the while still playing music. At this current time, I’m still a working musician, independent sales rep, fishing guide and do my best to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not! Financial struggles, learning business development, coordinating gigs, learning to become a booking agent/promoter/producer/salesman and growing a fan base as a musician. As a sales rep my focus is growing my relationships with my accounts all while growing the sport of fly fishing through the companies in which I represent! 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a musician, I am a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist. I specialize mainly in stringed instruments. Acoustic guitars, slide guitars, and ukuleles. I consider myself a roots rock reggae artist. I am known for playing an acoustic lap steel guitar(Weissenborn). I have played both with a band and solo for many years. I also perform live loop sets, create soundtracks for films and fulfill media requests with my music. Familiar sounds would be Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Bob Marley and Donovan Frankenreiter.

As a sales rep, my focus is on forging relationships in my territory with both retailers and customers. As an avid saltwater and freshwater angler, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion for the outdoors with anglers of all ages and skill levels. I routinely visits my dealers for demo days and to expand product knowledge for the companies I represent.

What makes you happy?
Playing music, helping others, spending time in nature, being with friends and family, being around animals but especially dogs, laughing as much as possible, using my talents for good causes, giving back to charitable causes, and channeling good energy!