Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenn Bostic. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jenn, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I think I’ll always be discovering new pieces of my purpose, but my faith has revealed what I’ve come to know about it thus far. My brother and I grew up in a home that valued making music accessible. Our parents were constantly putting instruments in our hands, signing us up for lessons, bringing us to concerts, and helping us find joy in performing and creating together. At ten years old, my father was killed in a car accident, and it was the love of music that he and my mother instilled in me, that quickly became the therapy that got me through. Somehow the words I couldn’t find in conversation came flooding out of me in the form of lyric and melody. I found an outlet through songwriting, that gave me strength and helped me to feel seen and heard. It wasn’t until years later, that I sat down with two friends and songwriters, Jimmy Fortune and Zach Runquist, and truly said everything I needed to say about my dad’s accident in a song called “Jealous of the Angels.” The moment we finished this song, I felt as if a weight I didn’t even realize I’d be carrying lifted from my shoulders. I never intended to perform the song live, thinking it was too personal and vulnerable. A few months later, I was performing in a songwriter circle at The Bluebird Cafe, and everything in my heart said “Play that song about your dad.” Fighting back tears, I barely made it through the song, but after the performance a woman came up to me and said, “I lost my dad two days ago and I know you played that song for me tonight.” In that moment, something shifted in my heart. If God could use the worst experience of my life to bring a song into this world that might bring even one person comfort or help them know they aren’t alone in their grief, I had a responsibility to share that song. Shortly after this realization, I recorded the song and filmed a music video for it in my hometown of Waconia, Minnesota. About six months after its release, a radio station in England called Smooth Radio got a hold of the song and starting spinning it. It quickly became one of the top requested songs, BBC Radio 2 playlisted it, and next thing I know I’m on an airplane flying to England to perform on BBC Breakfast Television and the song went #1 on the iTunes Songwriter Chart that day. The icing on the cake was being invited to debut at the Grand Ole Opry when I returned to the states. So many dreams came true in a matter of weeks. However, what spoke to my heart the most were the stories. People vulnerably began sharing how the song was speaking to them, and to this day, I still receive several messages a week from people who are finding and connecting with it. The impact I’ve seen this song have is so much bigger than anything I could ever take credit for. By sharing such an intimate song night after night, I have also had the opportunity to heal in so many ways. I’ve learned that songwriting is the vehicle I use to share my heart, and when I’m really honest in doing so, the song might just help somebody else who feels like they’re the only one fighting a similar battle.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I feel incredibly blessed to have had so many opportunities to write and record music, and travel around the world performing it. This year looks a little different as my husband of twelve years and I welcomed a sweet baby boy into the world, but this new little bundle of joy is the perfect reason to take a little time off the road, as well as inspiring brand new songs for the next album. I am continuing to promote my latest release, “You Find a Way,” an album in collaboration with my dear friend and Grammy nominated producer and hit songwriter, Lauren Christy, with performances across the United States, and am beginning to plan for a future European Tour. I have recorded music in the genres of Country, Pop, Americana, Gospel and Contemporary Christian, with new music and special collaborations continuing to be released through the end of this year.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Drive/Determination. I’ve always been very hands on. I didn’t wait for a publishing deal to write songs everyday, I didn’t wait for a record deal to record an album, and I didn’t wait for a booking agent to book a tour. These dreams were in my heart, so I wrote the songs, found a way to fund and organize recording an album, and then picked up the phone and wrote the emails to book my first ever tour. This has led to an independent artist career that I truly love. I do believe in the value of a team, and I’m grateful for the people I do have helping me out at this stage in my journey, but I would encourage someone just starting out to get their hands dirty.
2. Authenticity/Vulnerability. “Write what you know.” Some of the best advice I’ve been given. Early in my career, I was so focused on trying to write a song that the radio might want to hear instead of what was truly in my heart. I had a few meetings with various record labels in Nashville and New York after the release of my first album, and it was their lack of interest that forced me to remember why I started writing songs in the first place. Shortly after this epiphany, I wrote “Jealous of the Angels,” which changed everything.
3. “Look in the mirror, that’s your competition.” There is room for everyone, and everyone has a unique and special gift to bring to the table. When I started out, I was so green, and I would say things like, “I want to be the next Carrie Underwood.” Guess what? There’s already one of her.
“Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.”– Judy Garland. I love that quote so much it’s the opening lyric to my song change. We should be helping each other up, rising together. As tempting as it may be at times, use all the energy that might be spent on comparison and/or jealousy, and use it to be creative!
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
I’m a new mom! It’s the greatest thing in the whole world and has already helped me to prioritize my life for the better. However, as I navigate these new waters of “mom” and “touring artist,” my heart can be torn. I want to spend every moment with my sweet baby boy, but I also have a desire and passion for creating and performing music. I want to encourage my son to chase his dreams and pursue his passions, so I need to model that, while also being as present as possible. Praying about this daily, and becoming even more efficient during nap times! My husband is also incredibly supportive in helping me walk this out.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jennbostic.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jennbostic
- Facebook: facebook.com/jennbostic
- Youtube: youtube.com/jennbostic
