We recently had the chance to connect with J Gordon and have shared our conversation below.
J, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Omg I have fallen in love with tennis! I joined a tennis group last year called Club Volley. We meet every Sunday and it is literally the highlight of my week!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is JGordon. I am a singer/songwriter and vocal coach from Dallas, Tx. I started my coaching company called JG Music Education in 2016. It has taken on a life that I never even imagined! I have prepared artists for Broadway debuts as well as their first times in the studio and onstage! What I love most, though, and what sets my brand apart is the community that it’s created. Everything I do is anchored in people feeling seen, loved and valued. As creatives we can often feel invisible and that’s something that I strive to never let a person connected to my community feel. The JGME Family is all about togetherness, accountability, sharing opportunities and information. I want everyone connected to my community to succeed in whatever way success looks for them!
Right now I am currently on tour but on of the biggest things I’ve been working on for the past year is an online coaching course . I wanted to be able to service more artists so I decided to create a more easily accessible platform. I’m super excited to launch it this year!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
It’s so crazy because I am learning so many things at what most would consider late in their life, but who I’ve learned the most about work from are my best friends. I had always struggled with discipline and pushing things past what I call the “98%” I tend to go so hard in the beginning of things when the excitement is high and then burn out at the end right before I fully get it over the finish line. All of my best friends are extremely successful. Watching how they are able to decide what they want and go after it, and stay committed to the work necessary to get it really changed me. It helped me to understand what the REAL cornerstone of success was!
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has honestly taught me much more than winning ever did! I know every detail of my business because of it! There were so many years where the things that I didn’t know how to do I outsourced. Then the means to do that went away and I had to learn how to do things myself and honestly it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I can produce at the rate that I want and I learned that I was creative in more ways than the one that I thought. I honestly learned how resilient I am. I quite literally feel like I can do anything that I decide now! I am so excited for next year because I have so many gigantic goals in mind and there is no doubt in my mind that I can bring them to fruition! Suffering taught me that I am unstoppable and that I am the source of my success. It is in no one’s hands but mine!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie that the music industry tells is that success is all abut talent. The idea that if you sing great or have the best song that someone will see it and it’ll catch fire and then you’re off to the land of success! That is not AT ALL the reality! The truth that hit me like a ton of bricks but that also freed me mentally is that this is a business not a talent show! And that doesn’t mean not to sharpen your gift because you need to have a quality product to bring to market, but make sure that you have a plan, a strategy. What do you want your supporters to know? Who are the people that support you? What are their personalities like? How can you advertise and market yourself in a way that they see themselves in you? It is about marketing and connection just as much as it is about the art!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Honestly, I hope that the story people tell are about my light. About the way I made them feel encouraged and seen and empowered. I want them to tell stories of my heart over my accomplishments, that’s honestly what matters to me most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jgmusiceducation.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jgordonofficial/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julius.gordon.5?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JGordonOfficial
- Other: https://linktr.ee/jgordonofficial
