Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Waldrup.
Hi Karen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started out singing as a very young child- like 5 or so. Never could sing enough just always loved it to the point I think it was probably annoying for my sisters and Mom & Dad. But then I went on to sing for church and then continued singing in church from 8th grade until High School graduation. Then I went to University of Southern Mississippi to study and that’s really where it got crazy because I wanted to play in every bar or club in town and they wanted me so I was literally playing 5 nights a week! It was the time of my life, but then when I graduated College, I wanted to go somewhere to take music to the next level and when I visited Nashville, I met Taylor Swift my first night here and had such a fabulous time in Nashville it just felt like home. Then I got here, didn’t know anyone or have any clue what I was doing, but I believed in myself and I wanted to be an artist, so I just got up and sang at writers rounds, went to events, met people and took chances. Then I ended up recording several albums, forming a band, hitting the road and we built over 1 Million Followers online by doing regular video content. I kinda built it one day at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? No, I wouldn’t call it smooth lol. It’s like a roller coaster ride that you’re up and down all the time and the most important time is when you’re going up. That’s the time to be creative, the time to write, record, try new sounds, go to meetings. Because when the coaster starts going full speed, ya gatta hold on b/c it’s fast and it’s fun. But, the secret is not getting disheartened when the coaster is gaining speed again. It’s a process, a journey and it’s fun if you don’t take it too dang serious.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I sing. I write. I perform. I LOVE PEOPLE! I think what sets me apart is that I live my life ethically and I try to do the right thing, do what I say I’m going to do and treat people with respect and integrity. In a business of insanity, I have always been able to keep my head on my shoulders and not get down when hearing the word “no”. That’s because I don’t hear it at all, I just hear “not now”. There have been so many times in my career that someone I met later became a friend, cowriter, producer because I just didn’t take the “no” as a “no” and continued to send them music. I am most proud of the music that I write that touches people’s hearts and makes them feel something. I love creating music that makes someone have a great night out, dance, cry, smile or experience reflection and think about the past or the future. I just love how music takes us into a place of peace, calmness, joy. It’s magical and i think what sets me apart is that I’m honest. Honest about who I am, where I came from and what I am there to do. Just be me!
How do you define success?
Success to me is being happy with what you’re doing. At the end of the day, laying down for bed and enjoying your life. That’s success to me! Being proud of your growth and doing better each day than the day before to grow your reach, brand & impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: Karenwaldrup.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/karenwaldrupmusic
- Facebook: Facebook.com/karenwaldrup
- Twitter: Twitter,com/karenwaldrup
- Youtube: YouTube.com/karenwaldrupmusic
