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

Hi Cheston, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
The music industry is a banking business that requires money. So many artist aspire to do great things but don’t realize it costs. They don’t know about Tax IDs or split sheets. They just want stardom. This industry requires you to be informed and read so that you don’t get taken advantage of

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am an urban gospel singer and songwriter. I don’t really sound like anyone else. My songs come from life experiences and perspectives I have picked up along the way. I try to write something for all ages and styles of music. I was most proud when I found out that my song had made it to #72 on Gospel Radio Charts. We worked hard and it paid off. I have been singing my whole life but in 2013, I began recording. It wasn’t easy. I was recording songs even though I didn’t have much money. I would get some saved up and go to the studio and work my tail off, with the help of my producer, to get the song recorded during the time frame I paid for. I worked 2 to 5 jobs to pay for the music and the promotion of it. Sacrificed my time and energy to make sure that the dream was funded for years. I have had some angels come and put money in my hand and drop a few thousands in my cashapp to help me get the job done.

I learned to not give up. I learned that God got me. Every time I thought to quit and move back to North Carolina from Maryland, God would send someone to encourage me. There was a time when my car got repossessed. I was so embarrassed but I humbled myself and asked for help.

I learned that you have to be ready to grind it out. I would work my full time job and then drive Uber and Lyft. I would choose which one I was driving based on when I needed the money to come in. If I needed money for gas I would have to think about which one would give me the fastest deposit. I drank a many Redbull drinks trying to finish out the night just to make ends meet.

That grind taught me to go after every opportunity and to at least try even when you think a thing is impossible.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live perfectly between DC and Baltimore, so they better be ready to be in the streets. I would tell them to be dressed for an upscale evening at Blk Swan in Baltimore. We will hop over to one of my little jewels, Italian Disco for some fun. The next day we would head down to DC to U Street for some live music. We would literally just walk down U Street and see what happens. That’s what me and my crew do. We might catch a concert at Warner Theater in DC or the Baltimore Symphony. Sundays are for church and brunch. Both cities have great options for both. So we would probably have to attend one of the churches that I work for as a worship leader and then go hit the town. If I am feeling really wild, we will roll down to Annapolis and eat brunch on the water.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout my grandfather Allen “Sunnyboy” Green! Growing up, he made me and my family sing for every single occasion. It taught me to be ready and to be fearless! I recently found out that he wrote a few songs with a quartet group that he sang with in his younger days. They drove hours to NYC to record their record. He gives me the push that is necessary to get the job done.

Website: chestonthegreen.com

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Twitter: chestonthegreen

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Youtube: chestonthegreen

Image Credits
Phillippe Celestin, James Powell, Steven Winslow

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