Meet Mary Jennings | Singer/Songwriter, Bolo Tie Maker, Creator

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

Hi Mary, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
It’s kind of a blanket statement but being creative makes me happy and what that looks like day to day varies. When people ask what I do, my answer is usually something along the lines of “I am a singing, songwriting, piano playing, bolo tie and jewelry creating mother of a wildly unique and awesome daughter.” That sums me up pretty well. I play music as a solo artist, in a a duo called Oh My Friend, and in a band called Fame & Fiction but I also write with countless others. I have been creating, selling and also personally wearing my bolo ties (No Sass Creations) since about 2012. And so much of my creativity goes to Eliza, my daughter, and what ever she wants to learn or play on any given day. All I do know is that I can go to sleep happy and satisfied if I have been able to be creative in a day and it’s a bonus if it’s with people that I love and care about.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One of the most uncomfortable questions someone can ask me is “what do you do for a living.” Within seconds I begin to panic over how to answer that. I am a musician/singer/songwriter, a bolo tie maker, a mom, and a domestic engineer. But on any given day I am also a Pound instructor (that’s a type of aerobic drumming if you haven’t heard of it), an art director for photo and video shoots, a board member of a nonprofit called Fashion is for Every Body, and the creator and host of Wineo Bingo. I know…weird right?

Being a creative person has been so much fun but it obviously has its challenges. The biggest is being secure in your craft. There will always be those that don’t get it and that don’t understand why you live the life that you do. That’s ok. I know for me, I can’t imagine sitting in an office all day repeating the same tasks over and over again. That would be a nightmare. Building confidence in your art is the most important asset you will ever have, no matter what you do.

Last night I was talking to my roommate about music and I said, “usually if you think it’s too weird, it’s just right.” That just about sums me up in a nutshell. I am always pushing myself out of my own comfort zones in music, fashion, my accessory creations, and even decorating my home. I always want to keep it interesting and I have been that was since I was a kid. I think being different and pushing boundaries will always have challenges but I feel lucky that I have had a great support system that has accepted me along the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, If I only had a day, it would probably start with shopping at Music City Thrift. I am a mega thrifter and that place is AMAZING! Then for lunch we would hit up Plaza Mariachi because they always have amazing food and events going on. For evening activities we would probably hit up one my favorite local music venues like Bowery Vault or the East Room to see a friend play or we might do dinner and a magic show at House of Cards if we feel like getting fancy. With a week, we would hit up places like the Nashville Zoo (hopefully during Zoolumination), Cheekwood, and some of the speakeasies like Hidden Bar. If my visitor is lucky, they might be here on a Wednesday when I host Wineo Bingo!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people deserve credit in my story. I am inspired by my family and friends all the time. I am going to have to dedicate this one to my awesome daughter, Eliza. She is absolutely my muse these days. She is also my biggest fan and supporter.

Website: https://maryjennings.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryjenningsmusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenningsmusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryjenningsmusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jenningsfemtastic

Other: https://www.nosasscreations.com/ https://linktr.ee/maryjennings

Image Credits
Mom/Daughter Photo: Chelsea Erica Smith Live Photos at Exit/In: Madison Weiss