Creative Evolution

Josi J

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. 1h ago

    Episode 20: The Affliction, the Grind, and the Rising Tide with Tommie John (Full Broadcast)

    Some people call it the gift. Tommie John calls it the affliction. He has to make music. He has to collaborate. It is just what he is meant to do. And for over thirty years that affliction has taken him from babysitting BB King's grandson at the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival to touring the entire eastern seaboard to sitting on a dock on a lake in East Tennessee talking about why a rising tide lifts all ships. In Episode 20 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with Tommie John, Knoxville Tennessee based guitarist, bandleader, sideman, session player, sound engineer, actor, music mentor, and community builder. This full broadcast includes our signature local music sweeps featuring tracks from East Tennessee's finest independent artists. ๐ŸŽธ Featured artists:Elijah Wyatt: https://www.instagram.com/elijahwyattmusic/Cherokee Hope: https://www.facebook.com/p/Cherokee-Hope-Music-100063546558667/Brady Turner: https://www.facebook.com/BradyHTurnerMusic/ ๐ŸŒ Learn more at:https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionhttps://smartlink.ausha.co/creativeevolution Credits:Guest: Tommie JohnHost, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director and Designer: Josie "Josi J" JonesEditors: William Johnson and Josie "Josi J" Jones Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Episode 20: The Affliction, the Grind, and the Rising Tide with Tommie John (Full Broadcast)

  2. 1h ago

    Episode 20: The Affliction, the Grind, and the Rising Tide with Tommie John (Interview Only)

    ome people call it the gift. Tommie John calls it the affliction. He has to make music. He has to collaborate. It is just what he is meant to do. And for over thirty years that affliction has taken him from babysitting BB King's grandson at the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival to touring the entire eastern seaboard to sitting on a dock on a lake in East Tennessee talking about why a rising tide lifts all ships. In Episode 20 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with Tommie John, Knoxville Tennessee based guitarist, bandleader, sideman, session player, sound engineer, actor, music mentor, and community builder. This is the pure conversation start to finish. No music sweeps, no breaks. Just Josi, Tommie, and thirty years of affliction, grind, and rising tide. ๐ŸŽธ Featured artists:Elijah Wyatt: https://www.instagram.com/elijahwyattmusic/Cherokee Hope: https://www.facebook.com/p/Cherokee-Hope-Music-100063546558667/Brady Turner: https://www.facebook.com/BradyHTurnerMusic/ ๐ŸŒ Learn more at:https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionhttps://smartlink.ausha.co/creativeevolution Credits:Guest: Tommie JohnHost, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director and Designer: Josie "Josi J" JonesEditors: William Johnson and Josie "Josi J" Jones Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Episode 20: The Affliction, the Grind, and the Rising Tide with Tommie John (Interview Only)

  3. Jul 15

    Episode 19: Losing, Loving, and a Better Me with Alicia Harvey (Full Broadcast)

    In Episode 19 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with Alicia Harvey, Nashville born and Knoxville made independent country artist, songwriter, CMA member, BMI songwriter, and six time Josie Music Awards nominee. Alicia has played over five hundred shows, crowdfunded her own debut EP entirely on her own terms, and won Song of the Year at the 2024 Josie Music Awards on the Grand Ole Opry stage. In this episode we dig into the little girl at her grandmother's jukebox who fell in love with George Strait and Randy Travis before she could even read. How Alan Jackson lit a fire in her at nine years old that never went out. Why Knoxville made her the musician Nashville never could have. This full broadcast includes our signature local music sweeps featuring tracks from East Tennessee's finest independent artists. ๐ŸŽธ Featured artists:Alicia Harvey: https://www.aharveymusic.comJD Shelburne: https://jdshelburne.comAlison Danielle: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2fI8p0AO9l1DnPNiWhreVu?si=UPsb-Mp2TPCOoM044dkKdQ ๐ŸŒ Learn more at:https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionhttps://smartlink.ausha.co/creativeevolution Credits:Guest: Alicia HarveyEditors: William Johnson and Josie "Josi J" Jones Host, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    Episode 19: Losing, Loving, and a Better Me with Alicia Harvey (Full Broadcast)

  4. Jul 15

    Episode 19: Losing, Loving, and a Better Me with Alicia Harvey (Interview Only)

    In Episode 19 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with Alicia Harvey, Nashville born and Knoxville made independent country artist, songwriter, CMA member, BMI songwriter, and six time Josie Music Awards nominee. Alicia has played over five hundred shows, crowdfunded her own debut EP entirely on her own terms, and won Song of the Year at the 2024 Josie Music Awards on the Grand Ole Opry stage. In this episode we dig into the little girl at her grandmother's jukebox who fell in love with George Strait and Randy Travis before she could even read. How Alan Jackson lit a fire in her at nine years old that never went out. Why Knoxville made her the musician Nashville never could have. This is the pure conversation start to finish. No music sweeps, no breaks. Just Josi, Alicia, and a lifetime of miles on the soul. ๐ŸŽธ Featured artists:Alicia Harvey: https://www.aharveymusic.comJD Shelburne: https://jdshelburne.comAlison Danielle: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2fI8p0AO9l1DnPNiWhreVu?si=UPsb-Mp2TPCOoM044dkKdQ ๐ŸŒ Learn more at:https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionhttps://smartlink.ausha.co/creativeevolution Credits:Guest: Alicia HarveyEditors: 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 19: Losing, Loving, and a Better Me with Alicia Harvey (Interview Only)

  5. Jul 8

    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)

  6. Jul 8

    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)

  7. 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)

  8. 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)
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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
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    ยฉ Josie Jones
  • Show Website
    Creative Evolution