Today we’d like to introduce you to Helene Cronin.
Hi Helene, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I grew up in a musical and artistic family, playing piano first, then teaching myself to play guitar in 9th grade. I wrote my first real song in college. That launched a lifelong interest in songwriting because I discovered the power of joining music and words in a way that would impact people and stir emotion. For a quiet kid with a shy personality, I found out that I had a lot to say. Songwriting has been a constant in my life, through my years of having other jobs and careers, raising a family, and then coming back to do it full time. Since about 2004, I’ve been traveling regularly to Nashville, honing my craft in that legendary songwriting community. Since 2013, I’ve been there every month, writing, recording, playing shows, and diving full force into the world of not only writing for the commercial country market, but also developing my own artistry. I put out 3 contemporary Christian albums when I was raising kids, but for the last 20 years have focused on what I call my genre: “story-singing”, telling stories through the songs I write. According to the industry my genre is more accurately labeled Americana or the catch-all “singer/songwriter”. I recorded 2 EPs in 2014 & 2015, then released a full-length record, “Old Ghosts and Lost Causes” in 2019, which received rave reviews. I am currently in the middle of working on a new album, “Landmarks” for release in 2022.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Considering that I am in this as a “lifer”, and there’s no turning back, there have been struggles because this has been a long journey. The music industry is broken, so it’s very difficult for career songwriters to make a living at it. I have to write songs because I love it, because I have no choice, not because I expect a certain result or a certain measure of success. My ideas of “success” have changed through experience, disappointments, and constant work to get better at my craft, even if no one is aware of me! I’ve experienced both the crushing rejection of publishers and the beautiful acceptance of the right publisher who gets me and loves what I do. I’ve been on stage when the room is full of empty chairs, or people who talk over the whole performance. But I’ve also known nights when the audience hangs on every word, and people wait to talk to me about what a song meant to them. This is my new definition of success – connecting with people, getting the feedback that what I do makes a difference to someone! I’ve been told things like, “Your songs changed my thinking.” Or “your songs changed my life.” There is no better feeling!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We do a lot of co-writing in Nashville, and when I’m in the writing room, I’m known as a strong, inventive lyricist. I want to make sure that the lyric is tight, that everything we say points to our hook or title, and that our song develops in a logical way. Some people tell me they love my melodies. Some compliment my guitar playing. Lately, a lot of people mention that they love my voice. But at the end of the day, it’s a strong lyric or emotional story in a song that keeps me on fire about what I do!
What sets me apart is that I don’t fit anyone in the industry’s definition of what they are looking for! I’m not 20 years old pursuing a brand-new artist career. I’m female in a time when it’s difficult to get female artists on the radio in Country music, therefore there are less opportunities for female writers. The difficulty at radio trickles down to affect the entire chain of musical opportunity for women. While I’ve been a songwriter since my teens, I’ve had to step away to do other things, earn a living, raise kids, help aging parents. So, my path has been crooked, winding, and mostly uphill. But in spite of that, if there’s anything I’m proud of its simply that I’ve never given up. I keep showing up to jump up on the next stage, play the next show, write the next song, meet a new co-writer, think of the next idea! It never gets old. There is a huge payoff in the respect I feel from my circle of co-writers and artist friends. The other payoff is hearing from many of them, especially the young women I work and hang out with, that I’m an inspiration to them.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’m excited about my new 12-song record “Landmarks” slated for later this year! Please look for my music on Spotify, Apple Music, anywhere you stream or buy. I make fans one or two at a time, but the interest of each person matters. Independent artists need our supporters like never before to help spread the word! Tell a friend, buy a t-shirt or CD, come to a show, download a record, join an email list, follow on socials, host a house concert, check out a website! Mine is www.helenecronin.com. Thank you so much for letting me tell a little bit about my story and how I’ve been able to turn my life into art, songs, and deeper connection with people.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.helenecronin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenecroninmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helenecroninmusic
Image Credits
Followwell Photography
Katie Kessel
Chrissy Nix
