Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Nashville, Tennessee for six days with a handful of talented singer-songwriters from OC Hit Studio. OC Hit is a full-service studio in Costa Mesa that works with young artists, providing the highest quality services including recording, mixing, mastering, music education, vocal coaching, songwriting development, PR, and management.
As a priority artist at OC Hit, I was selected, along with fifteen other artists, to travel to Nashville to song-write with music legends, network with industry professionals, and perform at top-tier venues. Allow me to share some of the highlights of my trip and give you an insider’s view of what it’s like to be a young musician in the music world.
Monday March 18 – Day I
To kick off the trip, everyone met at LAX bright and early on Monday morning, 5:00 a.m. to be exact. Security was delighted to help check 10 guitars, at least 12 suitcases, and wrangle our group of over 20 people through TSA. Thanks to Delta Airlines’ unmatched service, our flight took off promptly at 7:00 a.m. and we were headed to Nashville!
Upon our arrival at BNA airport, we picked up our luggage and squished into rental cars to set out on our hour-long drive to Lobelville, a town right outside of Nashville. In Lobelville we arrived at the Buffalo River Resort: a beautiful cabin set in the sticks of Tennessee with acres and acres of untouched land expanding in every direction. We bunked with one another in the various rooms, explored the cabin, shared a meal, and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
Tuesday March 19 – Day II
At 11:00 a.m. we began our first session with Adrienne and Keith Follese, a couple who have conquered the songwriting realm of the music industry. They have worked with countless big name artists including Katy Perry, Tim McGraw, Stevie Nicks, etc. They spoke to their experiences as musicians and songwriters, and even shared some of their songs with us. The rest of the day we spent songwriting and collaborating with one another, creating dozens of original songs in the comfort of the cabin.
Wednesday March 20 – Day III
On Wednesday, we began once more at 11:00 a.m. and heard from a handful of other industry professionals who gave insight into the endless careers that can be found within the music industry. We passed the day writing more songs and enjoying the carefreeness of cabin life. At 7:00 p.m. we invited local residents to join us at Buffalo River Resort and serve as our audience as we ran through our setlists for the upcoming Nashville shows. We got to showcase the songs we had prepared in a live setting, and I warmed up my original and cover songs as practice for Thursday’s shows. It was sweet to perform for the locals and get the chance to share our talent with one another. That last night in the cabin we stayed up late, talking, singing, and enjoying each other’s company.
Thursday March 21 – Day IV
On Thursday morning, the cabin was a bustle as everyone packed their things and piled back into cars to start the journey to Nashville. We waved goodbye to Buffalo River Resort and began the drive to Music City around 11:00 a.m. By 12:30 p.m. we arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Nashville and got situated in our rooms. As the rest of the group relaxed and enjoyed the comfort of their hotel beds, I quickly got ready and was picked up by my cousin to go tour Belmont University. We walked around the school and took in the pristine campus, adorned with blossoming cherry trees, beautiful architecture, and a sprawling quad centered around an impeccably trimmed lawn and picturesque fountain. After exploring Belmont, my cousin and I headed back to the hotel just in time for me to reunite with the group and head out once more, for our very first show!
Live Oak, a bar located at the heart of Music Row and known for its live music, was the first venue that we performed at. The gig began at 4:30 p.m. and lasted until about 6:30 p.m. Each artist sang one song of their choosing, an original or cover song they had prepared, and we were accompanied by two of OC Hit’s world-class musicians. I covered “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, and the crowd was super high spirited and engaged which was a bonus. From Live Oak, we caravanned to our second show of the night at 7:00 p.m. at the Vinyl Lounge. The Vinyl Lounge is connected to the vinyl lab, a record pressing plant, and also contains a bar and rooftop scape. Here each artist got to perform two songs in which I sang an original song called “Cheers to It,” and a cover of Miley Cyrus’ Grammy-winner: “Flowers.” We wrapped up around 11:00 p.m. and celebrated the conclusion of our first, extremely successful night in Nashville. Upon returning to the hotel, we hit the hay and rested up for the big day we had coming.
Friday March 22 – Day V
Friday morning we were all buzzing because that day we would be playing at the famous Bluebird Cafe. Bluebird, a tiny hole-in-the-wall cafe, is known for having sold-out, intimate shows that showcase singer-songwriters. Music legends like Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, and Keith Urban all got their start at Bluebird Cafe. At 11:30 a.m. we arrived at Bluebird and took in the intimate, humble venue with great awe and excitement. Around 12:00 p.m. the exclusive guests were allowed to enter, and music industry professionals poured in through the doors of Bluebird to get a glimpse of the talent OC Hit had to offer. I sang an original called “Looking Up,” a song dedicated to my two older siblings, Isaiah (20) and Sonoma (17). After the show, we had the chance to network with many of the guests who came to see us and receive feedback from professionals. Bluebird was the perfect venue for our last show in Nashville, and we were all so grateful for the opportunity to share our love for music with the world.
At 4:00 p.m. the group headed back to our hotel and we got ready for a night of festivities. We had a final dinner together as a group and recapped the trip with one another, filled with pride and happiness at what we all had accomplished. To finish off the night we walked through the city of Nashville and enjoyed live music and dancing at Justin Timberlake’s bar and restaurant, Twelve-Thirty.
Saturday March 23 – Day VI
Our final morning in Nashville was bittersweet as we packed and drove to the airport to catch our 3:00 p.m. flight. We waved goodbye to Music City, and found comfort in returning home to see our family and friends. We landed at LAX around 6:00 p.m. and I said farewell to my OC Hit family, and hello to my mom and sister who were eager to hear every detail of my trip. Then it was over, my trip to Nashville came to a close, and I was home before I knew it.
Never in a million years did I expect to gain such an incredible opportunity to share my music with the world, in the heart of Nashville, and it is all thanks to the people at OC Hit, and the fellow artists at the studio who have pushed me to get better and gain confidence in my craft. The trip was loads of fun, and I grew so much as an artist, a singer, a songwriter, and as an individual, navigating the music industry. It was such a privilege to play venues in Nashville and experience the love and support of my OC Hit family. I can’t wait to get back in the studio this week and perfect my songs and gear up to release my originals in the upcoming months.
As an artist at OC Hit, it only feels right to shout out the rest of the studio musicians and people who joined me in Nashville, and made the trip possible.
Thomas Barsoe – Owner of OC Hit
Lincoln – Videographer/Photographer
Robbie Dean – Artist/Producer (Check out his latest single “California” on all streaming platforms)
Nicholas Stone – Artist/Producer (Check out his latest single with Undecided Future “DUSSE” on all streaming platforms)
Aubrey King – Artist (Check out her latest single “Selfish” on all streaming platforms)
Arlina – Artist (Check out her latest single “Arizonas” on all streaming platforms)
Owen Waidley – Artist (Check out his latest single “Crash & Burn” on all streaming platforms)
Bailee D. White – Artist(Check out her latest single “Forever & Again” on all streaming platforms)
Gracie Rey – Artist (Check out her latest single “Life After 18” on all streaming platforms)
Tay Leake – Artist
Samantha Uribe – Artist (Check out her latest single “Sing Me A Song” on all streaming platforms)
Anika Tantradi – Artist
Lei Raelle – Artist
AJ Bass – Artist
JJ Barton – Artist
Hannah Roby – Artist (Check out her latest EP “What I’m Made Of” on all streaming platforms)
Give their music a listen on all streaming platforms, find them on social media, and keep an eye out for new music releases coming soon! Any and all support given to their music and its creations is greatly appreciated!