Does everyday life inspire you with stories ready to be sung? Do you wake up in the night with music and lyrics swirling around in your head? Are you willing to take a chance on your talent to see how far it will take you? Then it’s time to pack up your song books and head to Nashville, Tennessee, for a VocationVacations® holiday with songwriter and music publisher Jerry Vandiver. “I really didn’t get into music only for the girls,” laughs Jerry. But at 15, while attending a co-ed church camp, he discovered girls sure started noticing him when he began playing the guitar. Jerry’s music grew to be a big part of his life and became for him what sports and hot cars were to his buddies. “I would play anywhere someone would listen to me,” remembers Jerry. After high school, Jerry went on to earn a degree in biology from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. However, his degree was not put to use for a while. Instead, Jerry decided to take a detour and pursue a career in music. “I had to answer the ‘what if?’ question and see where my musical talents might take me,” explains Jerry. Jerry went on the road touring the Midwest as a professional performer. “I sang Mr. BoJangles in more bars that I want to remember,” he says. Although music was his passion, after six years, Jerry decided to take a break and find a job that was more stable. He quit touring and began teaching seventh grade science. However, one spring break during his seven-year tenure in the classroom, he took a trip to Nashville. When he returned, one of his fellow teachers looked at him and said, “You’re going to do it aren’t you?” To which Jerry replied, “Oh, yea.” Jerry left the textbooks behind, packed up his guitar and his songs and headed to Nashville. Jerry arrived in Nashville with a lot to learn about songwriting and music publishing. He took temporary jobs to support himself and began knocking on doors, networking, and attending seminars and workshops. Five years later, he got his first major label cut, “Don’t Waste It On The Blues,” recorded by Gene Watson. The song reached #5 on the country charts, winning him an esteemed American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCP) award. That was just the beginning. Jerry has had songs recorded by a wide range of major label artists including Gene Watson, Barbara Mandrell, Lee Greenwood, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dusty Drake, Phil Vassar, two by Tim McGraw ("It Doesn't Get Any Countrier Than This" and "For A Little While") and most recently, "Always In The Band" by Lonestar. Thanks to these recording artists, Jerry has songs on over 14 million records, including four Greatest Hits CDs and performances of his songs on the David Letterman show. The road to Jerry’s success has had its twists and turns. “You have to be persistent and learn to take rejection because the competition is tough,” explains Jerry. “There are between 20,000 – 40,000 hopeful songwriters in Nashville at any given time. But you have to remember somebody’s going to make it, and the odds are better than the lottery,” laughs Jerry. According to Jerry, the general consensus in the industry is 10% talent and 90% persistence adds up to success. So what particular talent should a good songwriter have? “It is important you have the ability to observe life around you and be able to communicate what you see through your songs,” explains Jerry. “My biggest reward is when someone tells me they were touched by what they heard.” Jerry enjoys performing his own songs at Writers Night at the Bluebird in Nashville where he is able to share with the audience the inspirations for his songs. “It is important to be passionate about what you write.” Jerry has been a great mentor to other songwriters and music publishers over the years. He co-authored a songwriting workbook with Gracie Hollombe entitled, “Your First Cut – A Step-By-Step Guide to Getting There.” It is his way of giving back for all the guidance and support offered him when he was getting started. Ironically, “mentor” seems to be a reoccurring influence in Jerry’s life. He was recently asked to co-write with Mentor Williams, the songwriter of the long-time smash hit “Drift Away.” “There is no guarantee of a steady job or a steady paycheck in this business, and most songwriters agree you are only as big as your last hit,” says Jerry. But for him, all the challenges and uncertainties are worth the joy he experiences everyday when he picks up his pad and pencil and sets a story to music. And about that “girl thing” that played a small role in bringing Jerry into the business? Well, there is evidence that it worked. The woman who partnered with him in writing his workbook is now his wife. While on your songwriter and music publisher VocationVacations® dream job holiday with Jerry Vandiver, activities will include some or all of the following:
Available: Based on Mentor’s weekend availability: Friday, late afternoon through late evening, and Saturday and Sunday. Book This Career Mentorship
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Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations® adventure: Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions: |
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