Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Anthony.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Born and raised in St. Louis the youngest of four kids. We had a very middle-class lifestyle as my dad is a self-made man, and my mom a teller at a local bank in Florissant, MO. Music has always been a passion of mine since I was six years old singing songs in the back of the station wagon. The country genre has changed quite a bit in the last 15 years, probably for the worse. As you grow up and pursue your dreams, I thought I was going to be a major league baseball player. I tried out for five major-league teams my senior year in high school as a left-handed pitcher and played all my childhood. However, I didn’t throw hard enough, unfortunately. 175 lbs., six-foot doesn’t get it done.
Throughout elementary school, middle school, and high school participated in athletics and music. I was offered a lead role in ‘The Music Man’, but took a quartet position as bass singer, and also an average dancer role. My musical education came mostly at a young age, with a choir, jazz band, Dixieland band, and lead vocal solos throughout the four-year stint in high school. I really struggled with the decision with where to go to college. I wanted to move to Nashville and possibly go to school for music but knew the road would be hard and could do three things with that as an adult. Teach, perform, or studio work, and hope to make it as a solo singer/songwriter. If 2 of the 3, most likely struggle without a major break.
The first day of orientation at Missouri State University in Springfield Missouri, the young lady asked me what my major was. I said, ‘music’. She said, ‘do you know you have to take four years of marching band’? I said, ‘what? No thanks’. And that changed my direction forever. I already took four years marching band in high school, why would I put myself through torture once again. So, I changed it to computer information systems. Back then, it was the up-and-coming technology and you had to write code which I was horrible at, and end up changing my major to marketing with a minor in CIS.
I graduated from college, married my high school sweetheart, and move to Indianapolis for a sales job in a consumer electronics company as a married man. Always wondering in the back of my head, what did I pass up? As far as the education and non-music career choice. I took the high road and wanted to provide for my new wife and potentially new family in the future. The old two-story house in the suburbs with the white picket fence was something I strived for. My mom and dad struggled all their life and felt to get my education and pursue the business career would be a safer path, than the passion that still sat in me as a young kid and young adult and chooses to take the “safer’ road.
As time does, signs turn up all over you, near you, and by you. People come into the life that makes a difference and possibly get you on a different path. While my business career continued to flourish, I still had a passion to write and sing. So, after three years in Indianapolis, we moved to Texas for a business job offer I couldn’t turn down. Wife was in tow with a pregnancy, and six years later, we had two beautiful daughters born in the state of Texas. Who would of thunk? Not me.
As a dad, husband, and big dreamer, it’s difficult to share your passion with folks that don’t really understand it. I can’t even explain it, It’s somewhat like a drug that music business and creative process. You want to provide for your family, but also stay happy with the passions that you have in life. So, over the course of 7 to 8 more years, dabbled with some cover songs, guitar playing and singing karaoke, but at night I would write as much as I could. Given the big push of all the TV talent shows, I tried out for Nashville Star, The Next CMT SuperStar, and even The Voice three times. To no prevail. It’s amazing how much you get put down in this business. It is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life to make it sustainable, but also profitable and able to pay some bills. As the most national artist, they have multi-million dollar budgets behind them to promote them, rich family members to get them on the radio and to market them and assist the label in that effort. Just like any other brand of any other product that you might buy on the shelf or online, the music product or brand is no different. I would argue it’s even more difficult.
As my gigs increased, I got more excited to find a way to make the music and branding of “Derek Anthony’ more of a focus. Dallas Fort Worth has an amazing amount of talent of musicians. Over the course of eight years, I have gone through many, but have also been able to keep most of the good ones. And when I say good ones, I mean great ones. I am blessed to play with some amazing musicians and now good friends that I will have for a lifetime. Part of this branding is to find people that believe in you, trust in, and have your back. As with any band, bandmates will go on, and I applaud their direction and ambition. Couple folks moved off to Nashville, and a couple folks have gone solo, or have gotten out of the music scene. It’s just part of the process and can’t take it personally.
We have been fortunate to play at a lot of major venues across the state of Texas. The Texas State Fair, Billy Bob’s, Will Rogers Arena, AT&T Stadium, and many more across the five-state area. The invention of social media has been a major game changer in the music business. Yes, it’s a great outlet, but with the digital overload in most people’s lives is overwhelming everyone. How do I get mindshare? It’s still difficult to get folks to come out for a show, by a CD or follow you on any platform. It has become a popularity contest, unfortunately. And not about talent. I’m not the best singer in the world, I’m at the worst singer in the world, but I believe I have a good message and put on a high energy show for people to see and come back for. I’m also a big fan of understanding the lyric when the lead singer is trying to tell you a story. There are several artists out there that you can’t even understand what they’re saying. What is the point!
Nashville’s been a major hub for me, from networking and producing my records. I work with an amazing talent Steve Mandile. Steve has written some hit songs for Tim McGraw and SESAC writer of the year back in the day. He’s amazing person, amazing musician, and producer. He has been very open and honest with me about my projects and appreciates that. I continue to network in Nashville to try to find a way to get to the level that I’m achieving. What is that? Sustainability. Just able to pay your bills to be happy and live a modest life.
I have been blessed to do this for more than 10 years as an independent artist with private funding at the beginning but now sustaining itself. The brand has been growing organically and in the right direction. I could not have done this without the support of my family, extended family, and friends. So, from the bottom, my heart thank you to them and thank you to everyone that shows up to a show by the CD and follows us on social media. It all is recognized and it all is important and it all matters.
As we push forward, being relevant is vital and that means continuing to put out quality content, meaningful stories, and staying active in Nashville, Fort Worth, LA, New York and abroad. Creating is what I do, and hope one day have a chance for millions of fans to come to join the journey. Latest projects include “Cowboy Way”, and “Dreamcatcher I” records including some amazing music videos you can find on YouTube with “Give It To Me Strait” and “If I Don’t” music video releases.
Has it been a smooth road?
The heart guides the mind, but the mind guides the heart. The struggle of being the owner of your own brand and being the artist is the hardest aspect of separating “Church and State’. In addition, managing, creating flyers, running ads on social media, making your own sales calls to get new gigs, etc., take a lot out of you. The mental strength you must embrace in this business must be at the highest levels. Sadly, it’s becoming a money thing and very cliquish. The entire package of an artist is key, and believe we have all the key variables to take our brand nationally. Just trying to find our way, one gig at a time.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
B L U A N T Music Group was formed to make it official and fund most of the start-up costs through family and friends to get off the ground. The 1st EP and 1st full album along with several marketing tools to create. Thank you to all that have assisted, and looking to raise additional capital soon to go to the next level. We also book musicians, sound, pa, lighting, and other bands as well as a secondary source of income for the business.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Texas, in general, is full of talented artists and musicians and most Texans love original content, which is awesome. Given that, it is saturated and difficult because 200 artists will play for less, and get less out of it, just to “look like” they are busy and have a gig. The love of music is awesome in the surrounding area, but the average fan isn’t aware that most artists are living in poverty or have three jobs to make ends meet. Our strategy is to start focusing outside of Texas as needed into California, Colorado, New Mexico, etc. Even Tennessee, Florida, etc. to get out of the scene for a while and drive the brand elsewhere and expand our footprint, and hope to make the math work financially. Time will tell.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.derekanthony.net/
- Email: music@derekanthony.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekanthonymus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekanthonysmusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/derekanthonymus
- Other: http://www.youtube.com/derekanthonymusic
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