Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Fortune.
Hi Greg, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a military brat, born in Yuma, AZ. I mention this because, of course, my family moved quite frequently and I’ve lived in many places, including Japan, finally settling in Augusta, GA when I was eight years old. I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember and was blessed to have parents who always had artists like Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Marvin Gaye and the Temptations on the turntable.
My parents bought my brother, who is two years older, an acoustic guitar for his sixteenth birthday and whenever he was away from home, I would “borrow” the guitar as well as his “teach yourself guitar” books. Upon graduating from Butler High School, I thought I would become a graphic designer; however, my parents encouraged me to aspire to a career in engineering. I graduated from NC A&T State University with a degree in mechanical engineering and later returned to earn a master’s degree. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I played guitar with a band, mostly comprised of marching band members (music majors), called “Premier”. I took piano courses as free electives and began writing songs while still an undergrad. After graduating, I began attending songwriting events in Nashville, TN, which eventually led to me returning to the acoustic guitar. Although somewhat reluctantly, I sang a few songs with my college band. While exploring songwriting, I was constantly encouraged to perform my original songs as an acoustic singer-songwriter. Throughout a long (25 years) career in engineering, I continued writing, recording and performing original music on the side.
During this time, I also took audio engineering courses at the local tech school and assembled a home recording studio where I recorded and mixed my first two full-length original albums; “Essential” (2002) and “Solitude” (2010) under my first and middle names “Gregory Alan”… I eventually decided to leave corporate America as the increasingly long hours began to make it nearly impossible to continue creating and performing music. Not long after deciding to pursue music and art full-time came the pandemic. Undeterred, even after all gigs and scheduled performances were canceled in March of 2021 for months to come, I released a brand new album “As Blue Az U R”. “As Blue Az U R”, another full-length original album, is an exploration of blues influences and was recorded in Lawrenceville, GA with local musician and producer, Alex Stephens. “As Blue Az U R” has been well received and is currently sold only at live performances and through mail order. I currently perform frequently in the Atlanta area at various venues including Hard Rock Cafe’ and McCray’s Taverns. I am also currently serving as Membership Director for the Georgia Music Industry Association (GMIA).
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Leaving a career in engineering for music and art was not a difficult decision for me because I’ve always known where my passion lies, however, some family and friends were not immediately supportive. I use much of what I learned in the corporate world to help with my current career, including strategic planning, accounting, and marketing; however, there are many sacrifices and many hats that one must wear in order to move forward. I pride myself on my professionalism, the only gigs that I’ve ever missed were due to my 23 years old vehicle breaking down. I’ve finally reached the point in my life where I have realized that time is “more valuable” than money. Time management as a discipline is crucial; however, we creatives would generally prefer to practice our craft versus financial record keeping and preparing profit / loss statements or even updating website calendars and booking gigs. My father is 84 years old this year so there is also the challenge of being a caregiver. Then there are the common struggles that we independent musicians face with finances, time on the road, paying for luxuries like health insurance, and being “present” in our dream world versus reality. Having said all of that, I have no regrets, this is merely the price of freedom to live an authentic life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a songwriter, singer, musician, engineer, producer, graphic designer, photographer, and artist. I list “songwriter” first because that’s where it all began for me and is still one of the most creative and challenging aspects of what I do. I have over 100 completed songs in my catalog and hope to release the majority of them. It’s taken me a bit longer than most, but over time I’ve developed and continue to develop a skill set that helps me to wear as many hats as it takes to perform and release music with a mindset to work efficiently, effectively and economically. Once the pandemic hit, I was unable to play with my band for years, but I was still able to write, perform (over 125 gigs in 2021) as a solo acoustic artist and release new music. I’m very proud of the fact that I’m capable, however, I continue to strive to develop a business model that may help others to do what I do, which is simply, to make a living doing what you love!
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk taking is an absolute necessity! Time waits for no one and the worst thing that one can say when their time is up is “I wish that I would have… ” or “I know I could have…” I’d much rather say, “Wow! I gave it everything I had! Wasn’t that a journey?” Believe it or not, I’m not a big risk taker, however, this is my life and I have finally found the courage to tell everyone who questions what I do, “I have decided to own myself and follow where I’m led.” When one is on the right path, there will be signs along the journey that will point the way and people on the path that will offer guidance, encouragement and support. The huge risk in pursuing a career in music and art is that it is an immensely oversaturated market and the industry model is questionable at best. With so many of my influences, legends like Prince, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Bill Withers, etc. passing, those of us who believe that we have something to contribute simply must!
Contact Info:
- Website: greg4tune.com
- Instagram: @greg.4tune
- Facebook: @greg.fortune.music
- Twitter: @greg4tunemusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEejFGuQTB1LIXmwLULmJaw
- SoundCloud: @gregfortune
