We recently had the chance to connect with Robert Miller and have shared our conversation below.
Robert, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
My days are a combination of attending to all the myriad tasks associated with my Follow Your Dream Podcast, and at the same time pursuing my music career with Project Grand Slam.
With the podcast I release 4 or more episodes each week, mainly guest interviews. I do a great deal of due diligence and preparation for each, then the interviews, then post-production, final approval, marketing and release.
With my music I am constantly working on writing, recording, editing, refining, and releasing new music.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My back story is that I came of age musically during the 1960s and particularly the British Invasion era. I was a rock ‘n roll bassist who then segued into jazz when I was 19 and took a music course over the summer at a local college and was assigned a teacher who turned out to be Jimmy Garrison, John Coltrane’s bass player.
My dream of becoming a Rock Star went out the window after I graduated from college and was forced to take a “real” job in order to make ends meet. I got back into music when I was in my 40s, recording my first album and performing at clubs and festivals. But it was more like a hobby or avocation because I was still working my day job. When I turned 60 a bell went off in my head telling me that it was now or never to finally pursue my music dream full time. I did not want to regret never having given my dream a real chance. So I quit everything else that I was doing and figurately jumped into the deep end of the pool. It was the best decision that I ever made.
Since then I’ve released 15 acclaimed albums (including a Billboard #1) plus numerous singles, played festivals and concerts in the US and Europe, opened for acts like Edgar Winter and Blues Traveler, written an Amazon #1 Bestseller, and started my podcast.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
I married my college sweetheart, and we just celebrated our 50th anniversary. My wife has always given me the freedom to pursue what was in my heart and my soul. She’s been with me through thick and thin. She’s given me the confidence to follow my dream.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Trying to become a Rock Star at age 60 was just crazy. There’s no one I know who was able to do that. Nearly all of my contemporaries were either retired or contemplating their retirement. Yet there I was actively pursuing a young person’s career. It was pretty daunting as you might expect. It’s one thing to pay your dues when you’re 20, it’s another thing entirely to try to develop a fan base post-60. There were a number of nights when we in essence gave a private concert for the bartender and the waitress. There were many times when I questioned whether I should keep going. But I was finally doing exactly what I always wanted to do. So I just kept on pushing ahead. And eventually the tide turned.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, what you see is what you get. I think that’s because I’m completely satisfied with how I transformed my life. I’m a happy guy, not the tortured artist that people think of. I count my blessings every day.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing?
I followed my dream because I never wanted to look back at any point in my life and regret that I didn’t give my dream a try. I believe that everyone starts out in life with a dream. But few people ever wind up pursuing their dream. Because life to tends to get in the way: marriage, kids, job, obligations. That’s what happened with me too. But to me giving my dream a shot was the most important thing and what changed my life. My only regret would have been if I did not give my dream a try.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.followyourdreampodcast.com; www.projectgrandslam.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Projectgrandslam
- Other: www.projectgrandslam.hearnow.com
Image Credits
None
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
