Taking chances is something I've adopted as a life mantra.
If you’re on my email list, you heard the news— I’m writing and recording a new Derik Nelson & Family album this spring!!
It seems fitting to share this beautiful artwork Riana created for me on my final day of mixing our album "Home Again." I love the subtle coppery gold shimmer of her hand-painted calligraphy, but I love the message even more.
Taking chances is something I’ve adopted as a life mantra. It was the foundational message I imparted on my graduating class in college when the University of Southern California commissioned me with the honor of penning a commencement anthem. It became the namesake of the first project I launched after forming my own company in 2013, an independent tour to high schools to raise money & awareness for music programs. We called it the “Take Chances Tour,” and while the spirit and impact were extremely successful, the dollars were NOT. Especially as a fledgling business, I learned a valuable lesson: money is a tool. Money can be a GOAL, but it can NEVER be your reason WHY.
Over the next three years, with the limitless dedication and contributions of my siblings Dalten and Riana, we grew Heavy Skies Music, Inc. into a 6-figure corporation, based solely around our WHY: our love of music, our passion for the arts, and our quest to help others and serve the world by sharing our voices, hearts, and family.
As business owners, entrepreneurs, and artists, we are often thrust into the struggle of decision making based on 3 routinely divergent paths. I call them “the 3 i’s.” We want to choose projects that will yield the most IMPACT, INCOME, and INSPIRATION. Landing all three is a tough task.
Making a record is an expensive process, yet an INSPIRING undertaking with the potential of making an IMPACT on those gracious enough to listen to it.
It’s no secret that recorded music in today’s music industry is largely a pennies business.
In other words, the INCOME isn’t a motivating factor in the decision to make a new album. I’m doing it for the love of music, and for all of you reading this who believe in us and share our "why."
Thanks for your support, and always TAKE CHANCES.
-Derik
P.S. Come over to instagram, and leave a comment or DM me with how you're taking chances this week!