Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with JJ Williamson of Atlanta

We’re looking forward to introducing you to JJ Williamson. Check out our conversation below.

JJ, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Well, I’m a brand new father, so a lot of my day is spent hanging out with my beautiful daughter and my beautiful wife.
Most days I work in the mornings at Chopt Creative Salad Co over in Buckhead.
During the evenings, I host Music Bingo and Trivia for Truck and Tap Duluth/Lawrenceville.
Then I most likely come home and cook a bomb meal for my little family.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is JJ. I am an artist out of Atlanta (Marietta, really). I play guitar (acoustic, loop pedal) and I sing. I graduated college for vocal performance. I have traveled the world doing music. I’m settled in Atlanta now, but I still travel every weekend to do music somewhere somehow.
I love my city and I love what I’m able to do here. I did a lot of my music training in Tennessee, so moving back to Atlanta and starting over with no connections was hard, but I’m building myself back up because of this wonderful city and its music scene.

Right now, I’m working on some music in more of a producer/mixer role, but I just released my “Moving” EP this year on bandcamp and all streaming services.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
That’s a heavy question.
I was probably closer to the person I am now. High school told me I was an artist (like, pen and ink on paper) and that I would never be a front man singer/leading man role. At least that’s how I was treated there.
I left there for “the church” where music ministry was where they told me I belonged.
It wasn’t until some therapy and shadow work (and some crazy, crazy things happening) that I realized it was music that drove me and that has *always* driven me.
I’m still trying to figure out what that person looks like, but I like to think my younger self would be proud of me.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Do not listen to what these people tell you you are. You know who you are, deep down. Trust yourself. Be kind to yourself. Invest in yourself! Bet on you, John!

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
No. Guey. Haha

I would say the public version is the one on stage – That guy sings, dances, plays guitar, engaged the crowd, gets people dancing and singing…
Me at home? I’m a huge Sci-Fi/anime fan. I’m either playing an obscure Japanese RPG, watching a classic anime, or nerding out to something crazy on YouTube (and trying to make my wife watch even though she probably doesn’t care).

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Regardless of whatever stage of life they met me in, I hope they can say that I was kind, encouraging, and loving.
That’s all I’m ever trying to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://linqapp.com/thisisjjsmusic
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/thisisjjsmusic
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/thisisjjsmusic
• Youtube: http://youtube.com/@thisisjjsmusic

Image Credits
Creel Creative