PM: Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to be a tiny part of your success. Thank you for joining the featured artists program at Prolix Music. Have you always known you’d be a rising independent artist – or did you just fall into it?

JM: When I was a little girl, I fell in love with the arts. Watching men and women perform on stage was beyond magical. I loved watching dancers glide across the stage in the bright lights, and I loved watching singers sing their hearts out to the crowds. Looking up to those artists, I knew at a very young age exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a performer. When I was about 8 years old, I began my journey as a singer and dancer. I competed in dance and singing competitions throughout my adolescent life. I fell in love with the feeling I had sharing music through movement as a dancer, and creating music from my heart through singing. I have been in the arts ever since I can remember, and it will always be a part of me. 

PM: So, when did you get into making your own Music?

JM: After high school, I worked at several excellent dance studios. At one point, I was teaching at three studios, and I was also part of a singing group. Our group had 4 women including myself and we would perform and entertain throughout the state of Indiana. Then one day, we were offered an incredible opportunity to come down to Nashville, Tennessee to perform on a local TV Show called “Nashville Spotlight”. We were ecstatic! While we were there, we met a producer and that’s when a new chapter in my life began. I have been recording and performing music professionally for about four years now. 

PM: Only four years and you’ve got a cabinet full of awards! Apart from all the accolades what do you love most about being an upcoming future indie star?

JM: Being an Indie artist is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I have met so many amazing people and I have learned many life lessons. I decided to pick up guitar a couple of years ago, and it has become a passion of mine. Being able to create my music not only with words, but also composing my own songs has truly made me a better songwriter. I love the feeling of sitting down and composing with guitar in hand.

One of the things I love about being an Indie Artist is the community of performers that support one another. I have been so blessed to have met artists from all over the world, through our shared passion for music. As Indie artists, we support one another, and cheer each other on through our good days and bad. I am so lucky to have a tight knit team that genuinely has my best interest at heart. Without my team, I don’t know where I would be. I am so thankful for my producer, manager, promoter, family, friends and fans for supporting me and cheering me on through my musical journey. Sometimes singing a song that’s near and dear to your heart can be intimidating, but with the help of such a team, I have the courage to really perform and hopefully move people.

PM: You certainly move people with your energy and your joy of life – not to mention your soulful voice – but surely your success can’t have been just roses and soft pillows for you?

JM: The thing I find most challenging about the industry is the business side. Being an outsider looking in, it’s hard to understand the complexity of the music industry. The music business is forever changing, and there is definitely a learning curve. But it does help to have friends and mentors to help you along the way. One thing I would suggest to anyone one that wants to become an Indie artist, is to never lose sight of your true self.  Sometimes it’s easy to want to replicate somebody else’s style, but don’t. Just be you! People love you for being genuine.

PM: We certainly do. It’s a huge thumbs up from us! Sorry to get topical, but how has the Covid-19 affected you – we know it’s hit the enetertainment industry hard, but what is it like at a personal level?

JM: 2020 has been an interesting year; I don’t think anyone expected what has unfolded in the last few months. With Covid-19, the music industry has seen unprecedented times. Many of my plans for the year including traveling around the mid-west were postponed, and performances were cancelled due to the pandemic. In Nashville, the famous Broadway looked like a ghost town. Throughout America, bars and restaurants were closed indefinitely. This has truly changed the music industry and how we Indie Artists keep our careers alive. Most of us turned to online entertaining. I have been blessed to have been able to perform live from the comfort of my home. Thanks to my family and fans we have been able to keep the power of music alive. Hopefully the second half of this year we will be able to perform live on stage and to crowds of thousands, but until then we will sing from home and learn a few new things about ourselves along the way.

Although we have all stayed home, it doesn’t mean our music has stopped! As I said earlier, I have been performing live online, but I have also been doing “Radio Takeovers”. I love performing for people so being able to perform on our social platforms has been great! I have also been writing new music and composing originals. I’m looking forward to finally travelling to Nashville to record again in a few weeks.

PM: Nashville – what’s next the world stage?

JM: In the near future, I hope to be back to performing Live! It’s going to be so amazing to see my fans and friends again in person. I can’t wait to give each of you a giant hug! Through the down time brought about by the pandemic, I’ve had time to do some reflecting on my music career. I’ve been dreaming up new plans and music and can’t wait to make it all a reality. In the distant future, I hope that one day I can travel the world performing. To be able to travel the world, and meet friends and fans from so many new places has always been a dream of mine.

I hope one day to start a family, and have them with me while performing to crowds of thousands. If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. So to be able to spread love and positivity to everyone through my music would be incredible. I love touching lives through the songs I sing. Whether we are struggling through hard times or having the best time of their lives, somehow we all seem to associate our favorite music with those times. I know that music has truly shaped me into the person that I am today, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I know my musical journey is just getting started. With the love of God, my family, fans and friends I know that when I look back on all of this 30 years from now I’m going to be thrilled that I did it.

PM: 30 years from now you’ll still have us as fans. We love your talent, we love your music, we love your energy, your kindness and everything you do for charity, but most of all we love your voice! 

Read the full story about Jennifer here!