We were lucky to catch up with Raymond Hayden recently and have shared our conversation below.
Raymond, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
When I was nine years old, my family was in rough financial shape and we each had to choose one activity. I had been playing baseball and discovered music at elementary school. It resonated with me in a huge way, I could feel it to my bones and knew that I had to try it. When I chose music over baseball, my step-father, pretty much disowned me. Maybe thats hyperbole, but, he put me at a distance. My Mom supported me as she was a singer and piano player. I was a kid, so didn’t really understand the importance of this experience until I was well into adulthood.
Over the course of the next decade, I played drums, trumpet, french horn, flugle horn, baritone and contra bass in pep band, jazz band, concert band, honor band and toured in Drum and Bugle Corps…was on a tour bus starting at the age of 9…the age I chose music.
Fast forward…joined the ARMY in 1985 and got stationed in Mannheim, Germany. This is where I met my mentor, Michael Hein and my first band ever, AMBITION. I saw a polaroid of a ROLAND JUNO 106 for sale and said, “what the hell?” And bought it and took lessons…then I met James Rose, Elliot Margolies and George Mumfrey and we toured throughout Europe for 3-4 years until moving to the East Coast to tour in 1990.
128 solo / solo band releases, 3 podcasts, a record label (Maurice the Fish Records) for ten years, mentoring younger and veteran artists…its been a ride with lots of bands, radio, contests, opening for major bands…MY PURPOSE FOUND ME.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
“For as long as I can remember, all I’ve thought about is music,” says Tacoma-based keyboardist Raymond Hayden, a fixture of the Pacific Northwest music community. “I wake up thinking about music and I go to bed thinking about music.”
Many can relate to that statement. Few, though, have a resume as extensive and diverse as Raymond’s, which reaches into just about every corner of the music industry, and spans over thirty-five years and two continents.
Raymond’s career as a touring musician began at age 9, traveling in a drum and bugle corps around the US. west coast and Canada. In 1986, he began playing keyboards in his first rock band, while serving in the U.S. Army in Mannheim, West Germany. “I’m very proud of my military experience,” he says. “It showed me how truly small the world is. That has given me grace that is in my music lyrically.”
In the decades since, Raymond has cemented a strong reputation back home in the States as a progressive rock musician, with forays into jazz, adult contemporary, pop rock, country, and blues. In 2002, Borders Music & Books sponsored him for a tour of in-store performances of his solo piano album, “A Doorway Through Your Tears,” to much acclaim. More recently, he has toured Europe with Sweetkiss Momma and Jessica Lynne Witty, and can currently be found performing with Meghanne Storey, as well as Strangely Alright, Grieve the Astronaut, and Monsters in the Dark.
“What I’ve taken from each band has prepared me for the next, and made me a more versatile player–truly playing for the song.” Over the years he has had the opportunity to play support slots for legendary acts, including April Wine, Blue Oyster Cult, Jonny Lang, Nazareth, Drowning Pool, Berlin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Trace Atkins, Sawyer Brown, Diamond Rio and even comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy.
Raymond has also had a hand in the success of a host of other artists, via his boutique label Maurice the Fish Records, as artist manager for Nolan Garrett, and as a concert promoter for countless shows including his collaborative Evening of Keys series. He is also a podcast host and blogger, creating content for Shure, Gigs4U, Seattle Wave Radio, NWCZ Radio and others.
His broad industry experience enables him to be a valuable mentor for up and coming artists, and he is passionate about doing so. In addition to personally taking young artists under his wing, Hayden also served as board president for Ted Brown Music Tacoma’s outreach organization, and as a music mentor for their Live It Out Loud rock band summer camp program.
“Collaboration and nurturing other artists is paramount to my desire to support the collective.” Raymond says. “Connecting with my fellow humans is my real passion; music is the vehicle I utilize to do this.”
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?
Looking back over my career to date, I believe the three qualities that were paramount to my success were tenacity, grace and patience. The music industry has always been a very difficult course and having the strength / tenacity to “stay the course” is, was and still is important. The industry has changed in a huge way and if you don’t have this skill, it’ll eat you up and spit you out. The ability to rise above the noise takes strength to be able to pivot continually. With 100,000+ songs being uploaded to the internet daily, you have to love, love, love what you do. If you find success, that is icing on the cake. Having a plan, knowing what you want to achieve, how you define success all contribute towards that goal. I have chosen to have a career sales job so that I can have the ability to choose exactly what music I’m involved with. This is my choice and I love the ability to choose, so many are forced to do every single gig that comes their way to pay the bills, pay for recordings, merchandise, promotion, etc…I admire and respect their choices to do that and try and support them as much as i can with money, buying merch and attending shows. We all have a different course, and they all required tenacity.
Over the years, my ability to have grace with other artists, promoters, presenters, club owners, sound men and women, etc…we all have things we are dealing with or experiences that have made us who we are. When we give one another grace, it is paid forward ten fold. Thats not why you give grace, but that is ultimately what happens. We all want the same thing…happiness, success, love, joy, the ability to make a living, etc…when we listen and give our fellow human beings the benefit of the doubt, we all win. It doesn’t mean let broken people break you, but at least lend an ear, a hand…open up your heart and give them an opportunity. It is amazing the healing that begins with grace and then?? You move forward in a community stronger.
Finally, patience. So important…it is a marathon not a sprint. I have spent my entire life with music and love it because its part of who I am. I’ve dealt with imposter syndrome (like most artists), depression, wanting to give up, etc…surrounding myself with like minded people (not YES people) has been key to refilling the gas tank of patience. It is always a work in progress. Success comes in ways and timelines that you never see coming. 35+ years in this industry, in 2023 I got a 3 album record deal with two large name producers in the industry for my instrumental piano / synth music and haven’t made a dime as of yet. Guess what? That is ok, because if I stay the course and continue to be a part of this industry, I will have some level of success…just don’t know that looks like, whatever it is…it’ll be a surprise and I’ll embrace it. A good friend and huge rockstar once told me that the quickest way to earn a million dollars in the music industry is to spend three million. Sounds crazy, but that pretty much sums it up. Having the patience and love of what you do allows you to go forth in a vulnerable and authentic way. It allows you to connect with those like you. Think about it…Curt Cobain to Queen…and everything inbetween?? There are lots of different types of people, genres, experiences that shape who and what we listen to…there are people out there for all types of music, styles, genres…etc…patience allows you to eventually connect with them.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
This is an amazing question that I have never been asked. My parents defined as my Mom, My Step Dad and My BIO Dad. I didn’t realize it until many years into adulthood, but my parents showed me both sides of life’s coin. Positive/Negative, Good/Bad, Optimistic/Pessimistic. These lessons were paramount to shaping who I am today. Of course I ‘d rather have had a few experiences be different, but you cannot hate the experiences that made you who you are.
My Mother was always extremely supportive, honest and loving in her support of my choice to follow music. My step day distanced himself from me when I had to choose one activity and chose music over baseball and never supported my choice. My BIO Dad was never there and had one excuse or another that didn’t make sense or add up when I met him as an adult. These three hands sculpted who I am and a understanding at a young age that nobody can do it for you, but you. Of course, support is great, but ultimately, it is up to you and your ability to see through life’s obstacles and challenges. It also allows you to identify people that have a mindset that doesn’t align with yours. Its not your job to change them, but support their choices and set clear and powerful boundaries to protect your goals, dreams and passion.
I wouldn’t change a thing, not one…single…thing! I have great family and friends who accept me for who I am and who I am not and support my choices. My parents provided me my 10,000 hours of college of understanding of both sides of the coin.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://raymondhayden.weebly.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDAybu9mOs3y_WKr1sVIP8A
Image Credits
Barbara Potter
Shay Winget
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
