Creative Evolution

Josi J
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Welcome to Creative Evolution, the podcast that gives artists of all disciplines a real plan for a long-term career. Hosted by touring artist and creative professional Josi J, we interview industry veterans to bring you actionable business strategies for lasting success in the arts. Tune in each week to learn how to: Master the business side of the creative industries. Navigate the digital era. Turn career stress into creative stability. Lead with professional humility and advocate for yourself. Success as an artist isn't magic - it's a strategy. Drop your ego, tune in, and let's start the evolution! Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 18: Powerfully Motivated and Still Playing with Mike Hamer (Full Broadcast)

    In Episode 18 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with Mike Hamer, the bassist for Josi J and Dessert, US Army veteran, church musician, and one of the most grounded and hilarious humans to ever step into the Creative Evolution Hot Seat. With over fifty years of bass guitar behind him, Mike has spent a lifetime serving something bigger than himself. In the military, in the church, and on the stage. Today he tells us exactly what all of that has taught him. In this episode we dig into how Mike went from drag racing cars in New York City to falling obsessively in love with bass guitar at fifteen years old. How five and a half years in the US Army taught him to put up with a lot of stuff, deal with wildly different personalities, and understand that it ain't always about you. What playing in a mega church with an auditorium the size of the Coliseum taught him about discipline, preparation, and worshipping through his instrument. Why bass is the bridge between harmony and rhythm and why he never plays a song the same way twice. What happened when he walked into Gerald Veasley's Bass Boot Camp thinking he had it like that and walked out humbled for life. Why the music business is hell and thank God for performance because performing is the total redeeming quality of all the crap we put up with. And his final gift to every independent artist listening that nobody saw coming. This full broadcast includes our signature local music sweeps featuring tracks from East Tennessee's finest independent artists. Talent gets you the gig but professionalism keeps it. Questions always lead to answers. Keep asking. ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ ๐ŸŽธ Featured artists:J Bush: https://www.facebook.com/JBUSH865Lettuce: lettucefunk.comSarrenna: https://www.facebook.com/sarrennamusic ๐ŸŽฌ Connect with Mike Hamer:Michael Hamer on FacebookMike Hamer Bass Guitarist on Facebook ๐ŸŒ Learn more at:https://www.josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionhttps://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast Credits:Guest: Mike HamerEditors: William Johnson and Josie "Josi J" JonesHost, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Episode 18: Powerfully Motivated and Still Playing with Mike Hamer (Full Broadcast)

  2. 6d ago

    Episode 18: Powerfully Motivated and Still Playing with Mike Hamer (Interview Only)

    In Episode 18 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with Mike Hamer, the bassist for Josi J and Dessert, US Army veteran, church musician, and one of the most grounded and hilarious humans to ever step into the Creative Evolution Hot Seat. With over fifty years of bass guitar behind him, Mike has spent a lifetime serving something bigger than himself. In the military, in the church, and on the stage. Today he tells us exactly what all of that has taught him. In this episode we dig into how Mike went from drag racing cars in New York City to falling obsessively in love with bass guitar at fifteen years old. How five and a half years in the US Army taught him to put up with a lot of stuff, deal with wildly different personalities, and understand that it ain't always about you. What playing in a mega church with an auditorium the size of the Coliseum taught him about discipline, preparation, and worshipping through his instrument. Why bass is the bridge between harmony and rhythm and why he never plays a song the same way twice. What happened when he walked into Gerald Veasley's Bass Boot Camp thinking he had it like that and walked out humbled for life. Why the music business is hell and thank God for performance because performing is the total redeeming quality of all the crap we put up with. And his final gift to every independent artist listening that nobody saw coming. This is the pure conversation start to finish. No music sweeps no breaks. Just you Mike and fifty years worth of bass wisdom delivered with equal parts humor heart and faith. ๐ŸŽฌ Connect with Mike Hamer:Michael Hamer on FacebookMike Hamer Bass Guitarist on Facebook ๐ŸŒ Learn more at:https://www.josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionhttps://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast Credits:Guest: Mike HamerEditors: William Johnson and Josie "Josi J" JonesHost, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Episode 18: Powerfully Motivated and Still Playing with Mike Hamer (Interview Only)

  3. Jul 1

    Episode 17: Dispatch No. 4 (Full Broadcast)

    What do a veteran frontman with over two thousand shows, the Siren of Soul who reinvented herself through karaoke bars, and a guitarist who kept punk rock CDs hidden under country music labels all have in common? They all figured out how to protect their peace, reframe their marketing, and take care of the people who hold them up. In Episode 17 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J is joined by guest co-host Frank Sheadrick Jr, Full Sail alumnus, producer, music director and drummer for Josi J and Dessert, and the master of professional humility. In this episode we revisit: Episode 14 with Evan Thor of Thor and The Reigns. Over two thousand shows. US Air Force veteran. The man behind the golden rule of this season: self advocacy over self promotion, play for yourself first, and talent gets you the gig but professionalism keeps it. Episode 15 with Jeanine Fuller, the Siren of Soul. Brooklyn born. Knoxville rooted. International Vocalist of the Year. Why she named her EP Endurance, why women must legally structure their business and demand respect, and how to create firm boundaries so the industry does not consume you. Episode 16 with Mandy Wilson of Summoner's Circle. Music was not his first love but his first mistress. His father's most powerful piece of wisdom, why he keeps Narcan in his guitar case, and why the most important thing any artist can do is water the plants. Plus Frank adds his own hard won wisdom and reminds us that enjoying every moment given to you is not just advice for musicians. It is advice for life. ๐ŸŽธ Featured artists:Evan Thor: https://www.facebook.com/evanthorreignsSkyway 61: skyway61.comBelfast 6 Pack: https://www.facebook.com/Belfast6PackJeanine Fuller: jeaninefuller.comHiDaze: https://www.hidazeband.com/homeFeral Kitty: feralkittymusic.comSummoner's Circle: summonerscircle.comThe Virgin Mandy: https://www.facebook.com/thevirginmandyThor and The Reigns: https://www.facebook.com/evanthorreignsKings Reign: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kings-Reign-61573410607825 ๐ŸŽฌ Connect with Frank Sheadrick Jr:https://www.facebook.com/frank.sheadrick ๐ŸŒ Learn more at:https://www.josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionhttps://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast Credits:Co-host: Frank Sheadrick JrHost, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Episode 17: Dispatch No. 4 (Full Broadcast)

  4. Jun 17

    Episode 16: Study the Rat and Water the Plants with Mandy Wilson (Full Broadcast)

    What does it look like to spend twenty years doing the thing nobody could make you stop doing? In Episode 16 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J welcomes back her dear friend and guitarist Mandy Wilson, aka The Virgin Mandy, for one of the most honest, funny, and genuinely moving conversations of the entire season. Mandy is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and guitarist for Knoxville metal band Summoner's Circle who has spent twenty years playing across genres, bands, and stages of every size. He started playing guitar at thirteen in secret under headphones because in his household music was not just something he loved. It was something forbidden. And the more they tried to skip past it the more he had to have it. In this conversation we dig into what it really means to build a long term creative career when the only thing keeping you going is the love of the thing itself. In this episode we dig into how Mandy cultivated his entire musical identity in secret under headphones and why music was not his first love but his first mistress. The benefit concert that changed everything and showed him for the first time that music could create tangible measurable good in another person's life. Why true talent means doing whatever is in service of the music and not in service of yourself. His dad's most powerful piece of advice: if you want to catch an owl you study the rat. How he learned to put on incredible shows for two or three people at a time and why that humility became the foundation of everything. What it is actually like to tour in an Econoline van with seven people, two generators, and Planet Fitness memberships as your shower strategy. Why he keeps a thing of Narcan in his guitar case and what that says about who he is as a human being. And his final gift to every independent artist listening: remember to water the plants and take care of the people who make all of this possible. This full broadcast includes our signature local music sweeps featuring Summoner's Circle, live cover performances by Josi J and Mandy Wilson, and a special three way cover featuring Josi J, Mandy Wilson, and Evan Thor of Thor and the Reigns. ๐ŸŽธ Featured artists:Summoner's Circle: summonerscircle.comThe Virgin Mandy: facebook.com/thevirginmandyKings Reign: facebook.com/p/Kings-Reign-61573410607825Thor and the Reigns: facebook.com/evanthorreigns ๐ŸŽฌ Connect with Mandy Wilson:summonerscircle.comfacebook.com/thevirginmandy ๐ŸŒ Learn more at:josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionlinktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast Credits:Guest: Mandy Wilson aka The Virgin MandyHost, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director, Editor and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Episode 16: Study the Rat and Water the Plants with Mandy Wilson (Full Broadcast)

  5. Jun 17

    Episode 16: Study the Rat and Water the Plants with Mandy Wilson (Interview Only)

    What does it look like to spend twenty years doing the thing nobody could make you stop doing? In Episode 16 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J welcomes back her dear friend and guitarist Mandy Wilson, aka The Virgin Mandy, for one of the most honest, funny, and genuinely moving conversations of the entire season. Mandy is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and guitarist for Knoxville metal band Summoner's Circle who has spent twenty years playing across genres, bands, and stages of every size. He started playing guitar at thirteen in secret under headphones because in his household music was not just something he loved. It was something forbidden. And the more they tried to skip past it the more he had to have it. In this conversation we dig into what it really means to build a long term creative career when the only thing keeping you going is the love of the thing itself. In this episode we dig into how Mandy cultivated his entire musical identity in secret under headphones and why music was not his first love but his first mistress. The benefit concert that changed everything and showed him for the first time that music could create tangible measurable good in another person's life. Why true talent means doing whatever is in service of the music and not in service of yourself. His dad's most powerful piece of advice: if you want to catch an owl you study the rat. How he learned to put on incredible shows for two or three people at a time and why that humility became the foundation of everything. What it is actually like to tour in an Econoline van with seven people, two generators, and Planet Fitness memberships as your shower strategy. Why he keeps a thing of Narcan in his guitar case and what that says about who he is as a human being. And his final gift to every independent artist listening: remember to water the plants and take care of the people who make all of this possible. This is the pure conversation, start to finish. No music sweeps, no breaks. Just you, Mandy, and twenty years worth of hard won wisdom delivered with equal parts humor and heart. Talent gets you the gig but professionalism keeps it. Questions always lead to answers. Keep asking. ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ ๐ŸŽฌ Connect with Mandy Wilson:summonerscircle.comfacebook.com/thevirginmandy ๐ŸŒ Learn more at:josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionlinktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast Credits:Guest: Mandy Wilson aka The Virgin MandyHost, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director, Editor, and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Episode 16: Study the Rat and Water the Plants with Mandy Wilson (Interview Only)

  6. Jun 12

    Episode 15: Reinvention, Resilience, and the Queendom with Jeanine Fuller (Full Broadcast)

    In Episode 15 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J sits down with Jeanine Fuller, the Siren of Soul, at her kitchen table in Knoxville Tennessee. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Jeanine is a powerhouse vocalist, bandleader of the True Funk SOULdiers, CEO of J9 Queendom Entertainment LLC, and one of the most resilient independent artists in East Tennessee. She won a national music competition as a teenager, earned a scholarship to UNC School of the Arts, studied at Manhattan School of Music, auditioned for Juilliard and got in but could not afford to go, left school to go on tour, stepped away from music for nearly two decades, and came back through East Tennessee karaoke bars. In this conversation we dig into what it really means to reinvent yourself, protect your creative energy, and build a career that lasts on your own terms. In this episode we dig into how Jeanine reinvented her entire musical career in Knoxville after stepping away for years and why she says music does not find her, she finds music. How winning a regional blues competition led her to compete at the International Blues Challenge finals in Memphis with just two months to prepare and a scaled down band. Why she officially structured her art into J9 Queendom Entertainment LLC and why women especially need to own their business and demand respect in this industry. How she protects her creative energy as a mother, bandleader, solo artist, and business owner simultaneously by creating firm boundaries and finding peace in the middle of chaos. Why she features local talent in her shows and builds community over competition. And her powerful final gift to every independent artist listening. This full broadcast includes our signature local music sweeps featuring tracks from East ๐ŸŽธ Featured artists:HiDaze: hidazeband.com/homeFeral Kitty: feralkittymusic.com ๐ŸŽฌ Connect with Jeanine Fuller:jeaninefuller.comfacebook.com/JeanineFullerMusicPageinstagram.com/jeaninedfullerBooking: jfullerisawinner72@gmail.com ๐ŸŒ Learn more at:josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionlinktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast Credits:Guest: Jeanine FullerHost, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director, Editor, and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Episode 15: Reinvention, Resilience, and the Queendom with Jeanine Fuller (Full Broadcast)

  7. Jun 12

    Episode 15: Reinvention, Resilience, and the Queendom with Jeanine Fuller (Interview Only)

    In Episode 15 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J sits down with Jeanine Fuller, the Siren of Soul, at her kitchen table in Knoxville Tennessee. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Jeanine is a powerhouse vocalist, bandleader of the True Funk SOULdiers, CEO of J9 Queendom Entertainment LLC, and one of the most resilient independent artists in East Tennessee. She won a national music competition as a teenager, earned a scholarship to UNC School of the Arts, studied at Manhattan School of Music, auditioned for Juilliard and got in but could not afford to go, left school to go on tour, stepped away from music for nearly two decades, and came back through East Tennessee karaoke bars. In this conversation we dig into what it really means to reinvent yourself, protect your creative energy, and build a career that lasts on your own terms. In this episode we dig into how Jeanine reinvented her entire musical career in Knoxville after stepping away for years and why she says music does not find her, she finds music. How winning a regional blues competition led her to compete at the International Blues Challenge finals in Memphis with just two months to prepare and a scaled down band. Why she officially structured her art into J9 Queendom Entertainment LLC and why women especially need to own their business and demand respect in this industry. How she protects her creative energy as a mother, bandleader, solo artist, and business owner simultaneously by creating firm boundaries and finding peace in the middle of chaos. Why she features local talent in her shows and builds community over competition. And her powerful final gift to every independent artist listening. This is the pure conversation, start to finish. No music sweeps, no breaks. Just you, Jeanine, and a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and owning your worth. ๐ŸŽฌ Connect with Jeanine Fuller:jeaninefuller.comhttps://facebook.com/JeanineFullerMusicPagehttps://instagram.com/jeaninedfullerBooking: jfullerisawinner72@gmail.com ๐ŸŒ Learn more at:https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolution https://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast Credits:Guest: Jeanine FullerHost, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director, Editor, and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Episode 15: Reinvention, Resilience, and the Queendom with Jeanine Fuller (Interview Only)

  8. Jun 3

    Episode 14: Show Up and Stand Out: Evan Thor on Building a 20-Year Music Career (Full Broadcast)

    In Episode 14 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with veteran frontman Evan Thor of Thor and the Rains, a power trio out of Knoxville, Tennessee that has been delivering wildly eclectic live performances for over 20 years. Evan Thor is not your typical musician. A US Air Force veteran, self-taught guitarist, and Doctor of Business Administration, Thor picked up the guitar at 20, was selected twice to audition for the Air Force's prestigious Tops in Blue touring band, and built a 2,000+ show career entirely on his own terms. In this conversation, he breaks down exactly what it takes to build a long term independent music career from the ground up. We cover: The discipline the military instilled in him and how he applies it to every single show. Why the golden rule of longevity is simple: talent gets you the gig, but professionalism keeps it. How shifting your mindset from self-promotion to self-advocacy changes everything about how you market your music. Why playing for yourself first is the key to staying connected to your art through thousands of performances. How to build a loyal local fan base and why the local music scene offers better talent than any arena concert, for free. What 8 years of writer's block taught him about creativity, burnout, and coming back stronger. Why eclectic is a superpower, not a liability. Whether you are just starting out or years into your career, Thor's story is proof that authenticity, professionalism, and a refusal to give up are the only blueprint you need. As Thor says, talent gets you the gig. Now go find out what keeps it. Your time to evolve starts right now. ๐ŸŽถ Featured Independent Artists: Thor and The Reigns: https://www.facebook.com/evanthorreigns/ Thor and The Reigns, White Girl (Official Music Video): https://youtu.be/rx3YF1UQ8yM?si=neFdatQmPmik7NqV Skyway 61: https://skyway61.com Belfast 6 Pack: https://www.facebook.com/Belfast6Pack/ ๐ŸŒ Connect with Creative Evolution: https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionhttps://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast ๐ŸŽฌ Credits: Guest: Evan Thor Host, Editor, Producer, Copywriter, Art Director and Designer: Josie Jones Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Episode 14: Show Up and Stand Out: Evan Thor on Building a 20-Year Music Career (Full Broadcast)
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About

Welcome to Creative Evolution, the podcast that gives artists of all disciplines a real plan for a long-term career. Hosted by touring artist and creative professional Josi J, we interview industry veterans to bring you actionable business strategies for lasting success in the arts. Tune in each week to learn how to: Master the business side of the creative industries. Navigate the digital era. Turn career stress into creative stability. Lead with professional humility and advocate for yourself. Success as an artist isn't magic - it's a strategy. Drop your ego, tune in, and let's start the evolution! Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Josi J
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    ยฉ Josie Jones
  • Show Website
    Creative Evolution