We were lucky to catch up with Jason & Skylar Ferris recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jason & Skylar, 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.
For us, “finding our purpose” hasn’t been a one-time revelation — it’s been more like following a compass that was built into us from day one. Both of us were drawn to music long before we had the skill or language for it. I (Skylar) was writing songs before I could even write words on paper; Jason was climbing onto his dad’s drum kit at age four and keeping time like he’d been here before. Music was the thread that pulled us into becoming musicians, into live production, and eventually into each other’s lives.
Over the years, that compass kept nudging us forward. I shifted from being a singer-songwriter into becoming an audio engineer. Jason stepped deeper into production, live shows and later some music direction, tour managing and remote show advancing. Every “yes” we said along the way — even the unexpected ones — became a stepping stone that led us straight into Purpose Live.
Purpose Live is where everything we’ve done finally clicked into place. We work with artists, bands, and even worship teams to craft impactful live performances. But underneath the arrangements, the setlist flow, and the on-stage coaching, there’s a deeper mission: helping artists rediscover why they started in the first place.
We’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for passion to get buried under the weight of rent, touring costs, and the never-ending pressure to “make it.” Nashville is full of wildly talented people who go there burning with purpose, only to wake up one day realizing they’re just trying to survive. That loss of purpose affects everything — including their live show.
All that to say, we’re still discovering our purpose as we go. But we’ve also learned that purpose isn’t usually found by sitting still and waiting for clarity. It’s found by following the things that keep lighting up your spirit and staying willing to evolve when the path shifts.
Purpose Live exists because we followed that path — and now we get to help artists follow theirs again, with confidence, connection, and a whole lot more joy than they walked in with.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
We’re Jason and Skylar Ferris, founders of Purpose Live — a live performance producing and coaching brand built to help performers create shows that actually connect. Between the two of us, we’ve spent years in just about every corner of the live music world: drumming, tour managing, advancing shows, engineering audio, and walking artists through the messy, beautiful process of getting their music from the studio to the stage.
Purpose Live exists because we saw a major gap in the industry. Artists pour their heart and budget into recording, but when it’s time to perform, many feel underprepared, overwhelmed, or unsure how to translate their music into a something memorable and impactful. That’s where we come in. We help artists build unforgettable shows — everything from setlist flow and arrangement decisions to stage presence, movement, communication, and practical tour logistics.
This year we released our book, Crafting the Perfect Setlist, a resource designed to help artists shape shows that feel purposeful and cohesive from the very first song. Jason continues touring professionally on drums and percussion and advances live shows for artists across the country, while I (Skylar) recently transitioned off the road and now run sound at a growing church while coaching artists full-time through Purpose Live.
What excites us most is the transformation we get to witness when an artist finally feels at home on stage — when they stop performing at people and start connecting with them. That confidence changes everything: the show, the fans, and their relationship with their own art.
Purpose Live is ultimately about helping artists step into the thing they were created to do with more clarity, confidence, and joy. And we’re continuing to grow in ways that let us support artists on and off the road — from resources like our book to long-term projects in the works that focus on rehearsal, rest, and whole-body support for touring artists.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Curiosity over certainty.
Everything we’ve built — from touring to producing shows to launching Purpose Live — started with curiosity. We didn’t assume we already knew what we were doing; we stayed open, paid attention, and followed what lit us up next. Curiosity keeps you learning instead of getting stuck in the version of yourself you used to be. For anyone early in their journey, stay curious and let your questions guide your next steps. They’ll take you farther than your five-year plan.
2. The ability to listen deeply.
In music, listening is everything — but it’s not just about tracks or arrangements. It’s listening to people, to energy, to what an audience needs, to what an artist is really trying to say on stage. Purpose Live exists because we learned to listen beyond the surface. If you want to grow quickly, practice listening without rushing to fix, respond, or prove something. You’ll start seeing what others miss.
3. Showing up consistently, even in the in-between seasons.
Most careers are built between the big moments, not during them. The unseen reps Jason put in as a drummer, the hours I spent mixing in harsh rooms, the years we invested in other people’s shows — that consistency gave us the skillset we rely on today. If you’re just starting out, you don’t need massive breakthroughs. You just need to keep showing up. Small, boring consistency turns into expertise before you realize it.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes — we’re actively looking to collaborate with people who believe in elevating the next generation of artists and reshaping the live music world for the better. Purpose Live is built around helping artists perform with clarity, confidence, and purpose, and we’re stepping into a season where collaboration can expand that impact in a meaningful way.
We’re especially interested in partnering with:
• Investors and vision-driven supporters who resonate with our long-term plan to build a rehearsal + retreat property outside Franklin, TN — a space designed for artists to prepare, reset, and launch into touring without burnout or chaos. Our vision includes a top-tier rehearsal facility with professional-grade gear, a large stage, expansive acreage for bus parking and merch/gear storage, dedicated wellness support from trusted massage therapists and acupuncturists, and a nourishing food experience that supports whole-body health.
• Music industry professionals and organizations who want stronger, more confident, more grounded artists: labels, managers, studios, booking teams, churches, and creative collectives looking to strengthen the live side of their roster.
• Artists and bands who want help building unforgettable shows, refining their stage presence, or advancing their tours with less stress and more intention — no matter their size, genre, or experience level.
Beyond rehearsal and creative development, our long-term dream includes a rec-center-style environment where artists and visitors can support their physical health through things like basketball, soccer, and other activities. Jason — like many musicians — has a deep love for sports, and we see this property as a living, breathing representation of feeding mind, body, and spirit while grounding people back into their purpose.
Our goal is simple: help artists step into their calling with confidence, joy, and purpose, and build a physical home base where that support becomes a lived experience — not just a service.
If you’re reading this and you feel aligned with that mission or want to explore collaboration, we’d love to connect.
Reach out at [email protected] or find us on socials at @purposeliveofficial.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thepurposelive.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purposeliveofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePurposeLive/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/purposelive
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PurposeLiveOfficial
- Other: https://www.thepurposelive.com/partner
Image Credits
David Niacaris, Breanne Ciccone, Marc England II, Jake Frederick, EJP Visuals, Kolstad Media, LauWood Media
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
