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

Hi Mary, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Over the years I have developed some techniques to help me balance out the 24/7 work schedule of being a musician. I wake up and have my coffee while either reading or practicing before I scroll on my phone. That sets my day off to a strong focused start. Then I have breakfast and prepare materials for my lessons. I teach private lessons 5 days a week and limit that schedule to weekdays/nights. I do not teach lessons on the weekends in order to give myself 2 full days of mental rest. That also offers me the freedom to travel without disrupting schedules too much.

It’s important for me to have a little break during the day in between lessons to reset. I schedule as many of my students back to back as I can and leave a small gap in the middle of the day. This has helped me stay focused in my lessons which can go from 10:00 am until 9:00 at night. I do get plenty of time to practice, write, and create content in between my students. By the time my work day is done I can “clock out” for the day with the exception of shows or rehearsals. This way I can spend my evening with my partner without stressing about my ever evolving to-do list.

One other trick I have to separate work from home is to go to a coffee shop to work on booking, promoting, writing lyrics, etc. This way I put my entire mind on the subject at hand and when I leave I am physically done with that task.

These things took me a long time to get steady in my life. The very important part is to let yourself rest. Burning the candle at both ends is not necessarily more productive.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a musician here in Nashville, I am both a side person and a front person. I play Saxophone and Accordion for various groups in town including Marco with Love and Chip Greene. I also have my own group called the Mary Rodgers Menagerie where I play piano and sing. This group includes percussion and various auxilary instruments. I feel my art brings something fresh and different by combining elements of circus music while representing traditional jazz and blues in my own original way. This also offers the platform to work with performance artists, visual artists, and other musicians.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge
Robert’s Western World
East Side Bowl
Mirror Mirror
Live True Vintage
Starland Vintage & Unusual
Fanny’s House of Music
Carter Vintage
The 5 Spot
Mirror Mirror
Last Thursday of every Month is Nic Roulette’s Rockabilly Roundup at East Side Bowl

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest support is my partner Jeff Burke. He is a musician, teacher, clinician, and booking agent. Our everyday lives are centered around how we can help each other achieve our goals and dreams. He’s a constant encouragement.

Working with Marco Argiro for Marco with Love is ever inspiring. Marco and Traci Argiro run Mirror Mirror in Donelson, while running the band The Serpenteens, raising their daughter Ruby, and still recording and doing shows for Marco With Love. They are both constantly creating opportunities for other artists at their space. They are the consistent resource for fresh ideas and creativity!

Ashleigh Caudill is considered the Nashville Welcome Wagon to many that have made Nashville home. Ashleigh plays bass, banjo, and guitar. She sings and writes beautiful music. You can not be in the room with Ashleigh without feeling inspired to create. She has pushed me and encouraged me since the day I got here in 2015.

Website: https://www.maryrodgersmusic.com/

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

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-469776242

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.rodgers.5458/#

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maryrodgers1427

Other: https://linktr.ee/maryrodgers

Image Credits
Photos of Siren

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutTennessee is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.