We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Buddy Norris a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Buddy, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
I’ve always been told I’m a very “up” person! I remember my mother telling her friends that I always woke up with a smile and ready for a new day. There have been a few occasions over the years where friends have been annoyed with me trying to find a bright side of some circumstances and trying to encourage them in my own way! Haha! Don’t get me wrong – life can be tough and full of difficult seasons for sure. I’ve just always felt a natural optimism and a positivity that I’ve tried to share with others.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Buddy – I”m a Georgia native living in Nashville TN – otherwise known as “Music City USA”! In 2011, after meeting several local singer songwriters in the Nashville area, I started a series of “house concerts” known as “Buddy’s Place” in the living room of my tiny townhome as a way to show support to the songwriter community I had grown to respect so much! Over 120 shows later (in multiple living rooms, special events and venues all over town) we’re still going strong and pride ourselves in bringing the best of the best in to share their stories and songs with the crowds of music lovers who attend our monthly shows! It’s a true labor of love and without a doubt – my happy place!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Buddy’s Place has been one of the biggest surprise blessings of my life! I never dreamed it would turn into what it has since that first show in 2011. I had three unknown songwriters show up with their guitars and twenty four friends paid a cover charge at the door as a way to support these music making friends of mine. That first night was a hit and we went from quarterly shows to bi-monthly to every month now going on thirteen years! First I would say that you have to be passionate about any new adventure you decide to undertake and pursue and be all in 100%. That love and passion for whatever you’re pursuing is going to drive you through the ups and downs you’ll face on the journey! Don’t go into something with too high expectations? I literally had no idea what was happening as more and more people wanted to come to shows at my house or wanted to host our events in their own homes or at special events they were hosting. I’ve always been open to opportunities to get “Buddy’s Place” out there. We’ve had our singer/songwriters be part of multiple food truck festivals, restaurant openings, wine tasting club events, shows at apartment complex and neighborhood clubhouses, other music lover’s homes and even a wax museum, horse rescue ranch and historic theatre! You just never know where the journey can take you – be all in and be adaptable!
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My business partner Ellen has been a huge positive factor in all aspects of Buddy’s Place and the natural expansion over the years. Ellen was coming to the shows at my house as a music lover after we met in Nashville both volunteering at the annual CMA Music Fest! By 2015, I had reached a point with the monthly house concerts where I wanted to try to take things to that next level but had no clue where to start going about something like that. Ellen literally had a dream one night about a music venue called “Buddy’s Place” and approached me about forming a partnership to help elevate these already successful nights of live music. In September 2015, we signed the official papers and an LLC was formed as well as the creation of our official logo, website and merchandise! While we’re both huge music lovers and both on board 100% with the same goal and vision of supporting singer songwriters, Ellen and I are both two different personalities that actually work very well together in keeping things operating smoothly. She’s the behind the scenes “business” side of things while I handle the promotions, bookings and hosting end of Buddy’s Place. Ellen keeps me grounded and real when I get wrapped up and bogged down in details or overthinking something! I think it’s good to have someone with different natural strengths and gifting than you on a journey like this – it’s really worked out great for us in keeping “Buddy’s Place” moving forward and growing! I’m very thankful!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.buddysplacenashville.com
- Instagram: @buddysplacenashville
- Facebook: Buddy’s Place
- Other: We have a Spotify page featuring 10 different playlists featuring only music from our 120+ singer songwriter alumni who have performed at our shows since 2011 – New Music, Duets, Cover Tunes, Christmas, Songwriter cuts by other artists, and more…. Spotify: Buddy’s Place Nashville
Image Credits
tokenbritphotography coopersmithproductions
