Meet Robbie Crowell | Musician/Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Robbie Crowell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robbie, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I used to prioritize my career above everything else, but over the past few years I’ve shifted to prioritizing my family over work, and I try to ensure that I’m taking care of myself.

This industry is notoriously bad for expecting work to come before anything else. We don’t get sick days, paid vacation, time to grieve the loss of loved ones, or anything else that usually comes with a more typical job, so it’s easy to get sucked into putting work/career/our employers before ourselves and our families, and I believe that it takes a massive toll on musicians physically and psychologically in the long run.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve learned that, when it comes to music, luck and being in the right place are just as important as skill when it comes to opportunity. Most of the best songwriters I know don’t have any hits, and I know some musicians who are as good as anyone anywhere who never got as far as they wanted because they stayed where they were, instead of going where the work was. I’ve worked hard at what I do as a multi-instrumentalist and producer, but I can’t deny that random fate and chance, plus being willing to move, had a lot to do with how far I’ve been able to advance.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Any time I have friends coming into Nashville I always advise them to stay out of downtown and check out the smaller clubs and bars, as that’s where you’ll see the best music. The 5 Spot, The Basement, The Basement East, Dee’s, and Eastside Bowl are all locally owned and have the best and most interesting acts in town, consistently, and their respective owners and bookers have given so much t the community.

When it comes to food in Nashville we’re lucky to have Mas Tacos, Red Headed Stranger, Butcher and Bee, 5 Points Pizza, and many other locally owned and operated places with great food

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to give a shoutout to all my fellow musicians who help each other out along the way. It’s a crazy industry, but musicians really do take care of each other a help each other out in a really special way. I could not have come nearly this far without the constant support and boosting from that community.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robbiebcrowell/

Image Credits
Chris Warrick