Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Woodard.
Hi Courtney, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been singing for as long as I can possibly remember. My hometown is originally Nashville, TN, where my only experience playing instruments was playing violin in the orchestra at my middle school. Being “uprooted” as I so quaintly put it, definitely did a number on me. As an only child, I had to constantly find ways to entertain myself, and music was my form of escapism.
As I got older, I became obsessed with Taylor Swift’s earlier albums (i.e., Fearless, Speak Now, Red, etc.) which eventually led to me asking my parents for a guitar for Christmas. Being a self-taught musician has taught me dedication, discipline, and ambition. I now currently play acoustic and electric guitar, ukulele, a small amount of piano, and my first instrument (violin). As far as songwriting goes, I cannot define a specific moment when I started. I would always write short poems, which paired with my ability to play instruments created a songwriting flower that blossomed on its own over time. I’ve now written over 100 songs, perform in multiple venues across the Atlanta area, and am working on releasing my first single.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. They don’t call us “starving artists” for nothing! Working on my craft while balancing my other responsibilities and obligations has been a learning experience, even though I seem to have a natural affinity for music. The part that nobody tells you (especially when you are an unsigned artist) is that talent is simply not enough. Apart from timing and having the right team around you, it’s expensive and if you aren’t knowledgeable on certain aspects of the industry, it’s very easy to get taken advantage of or end up in a less than favorable situation. You have to rely on the facts, as well as discernment and intuition.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I would say I’m known for being the black girl at that plays guitar. LOL! It’s always been a defining factor for me. In high school, they gave me the nickname Black Taylor Swift (which I loved.) apart from my artistry, my main focus for the coming years is songwriting. I want to write for all genres and help artists develop their experiences and feelings in a way that truly conveys their story. I’ve been slowly developing relationships with artists and label groups, so I am excited to see where this endeavor takes me. (Huge s/o to MVE Ent. for showing love and support always.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Stay true to my intuition and have faith. The saying is “winners never quit”, which I don’t think is necessarily true. Winners know WHEN to quit. Energy is currency. You cannot share it with everyone, nor can you continue to stay in environments or situations that you don’t feel right about regardless of what is being offered on the table. Personally, I believe authenticity and integrity will take you a very long way.
Contact Info:
- Email: courtneywoodardmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: @courtneywoodard
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/courtneywoodardmusic
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/mrcourtneywoodard
- SoundCloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/courtneywoodard
