We recently connected with Natalie Uhlenhake and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Trying new things! Doing the same things over and over will give you the same stories over and over. If you step outside of the usual, you get new things to write about.
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?
My name is Natalie Uhlenhake, and I’m a country-pop artist based in Nashville, TN. I grew up in rural Mercer County, Ohio, where wide open spaces, small-town values, and a tight-knit community shaped both my storytelling and my sound. I started performing at 15, playing cover shows at local restaurants, bars, wineries, and breweries. Those early gigs taught me how to connect with any crowd, no matter the size.
After earning my associate’s degree in Business and Marketing from Edison State Community College, I took the leap and moved to Nashville. Over the past two years, I’ve built a life and career here, becoming a regular performer on Broadway, at local songwriter rounds, and at venues off the typical tourist track.
I’ve released four singles so far and I have more music on the way. My live shows are all about energy and connection: I want people to walk away feeling like they were part of something, not just watching from the crowd.
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?
Stage Presence – This is something that only improves with time, and at some point you just have to get over yourself and do it. When your career is so closely tied to your personality, like in music, it’s easy to overthink every move. But when you shift your mindset to simply having fun and treat the audience like friends you’re hanging out with, everything becomes more natural — and more enjoyable for everyone in the room.
Business Knowledge – This is one of the most underestimated skills for independent artists, but it’s crucial. Especially early on, you are your own manager, marketer, and accountant. Knowing how to keep organized records, handle paperwork, network professionally, communicate clearly, and think like an entrepreneur can make all the difference in building sustainable momentum.
Resilience – This industry will test you in every way, and rejection is part of the process. You have to be able to hear “no,” face setbacks, and still get back up the next day ready to try again. The artists who stick around are the ones who can take a hit, learn from it, and keep moving forward.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I’m lucky to have a strong network of industry friends who’ve been instrumental in my growth. They’re honest with me about my weak spots, offer constructive feedback, and share the kind of insight you can only get from people who’ve been in the trenches themselves. Having that kind of support and accountability has made all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/natalieumusic?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=020358f0-16c9-4c3d-976e-26421288c0cb
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/natalieumusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalieumusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@natalieuhlenhake5246
Image Credits
Sarah Jean Layton
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