We had the good fortune of connecting with Donny Hammonds and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Donny, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe one of the most important things to have when owning a business, Being “Full Time” at something rather than doing it as a side job or hobby, is Consistency and Persistence. I see so many individuals and people start up a business, Brand etc. and then not stick with it or have the dedication to make it work. They don’t promote and market the business and brand but yet expect client s and others to see it and help them make it grow. It takes more than a “Facebook” post every once in awhile. I see individuals who start a business, they’ll make an announcement on social media, get t-shirts made and do things that aren’t wise in my perspective, to advertise the business for the first couple weeks and then you never hear from it again or see any results from the said Company that they started. Then a few weeks later you see the same person take on a new adventure and do the same thing over and over. Then folks start commenting and asking, “What about the other business you had”. After several times of doing this, this person / individual starts getting a bad name or vibe because they can’t stick with something and no one will use them for services because they think to themselves. hey this person will be closed next week or won’t fulfill obligations on whatever company they’re trying to start etc. I see it all the time. Buyers and clients want consistency, good reputation and positive feedback and Reviews are a big plus from what I’ve experienced. I’ve been in the Music Industry for 25 years and I’m still doing music and my client base grows more and more everyday. I started out as a Musician playing gigs anywhere I could play. I built up a name and a solid reputation of being on time, not stopping early, playing overtime if the customers asked for it (of course they tipped for the extra time) and venues, bars and restaurants kew that when they booked me to come play live music at their Business, that I would show up, give them 100 % percent, I wouldn’t cancel If i had a runny nose or sore throat or something else to whine about. They depended on me to be there. They hired me to build up their clientele and I was expected to not let them down. Doing this earned me several regular gigs and shows and eventually leading me to be able to play 4 – 6 nights a week and quit my day job to be a Full Time Musician, which was my dream. I worked hard, proved myself to people and showed them my product and reputation was dependable and solid. this lead to me playing 250 plus shows a year, I took that drive that I had for music and didn’t stop there. I wanted more, I wanted to grow my music, My brand and make money doing something I loved and that was Music. I was playing live shows and traveling but I wanted to take it up a notch and take what I had learn thru several years and playing in front of audiences and help others. So I go into Music Producing and Opened a Recording Studio. I wanted to Produce other bands and artist and help them grow and follow their dreams. To accomplish this, I did my Prices and Rates much lower than the Competitors prices to gain a client base and in doing this, I got Volumes of clients which made the money begin to be consistent for my recording studio. I stated small and worked my way up as my Clients grew. It has been 20 years since I’ve opened The Afterdark Studio in Cartersville, Ga. and I’m busier than I’ve ever been, Thankfully.. I have a 5 star rating on Google Reviews and continue to grow on a daily basis. Not only did I build a name as a Musician / Band, but now my name is on albums and other artist work all over the World. I have Clients spanning all the way from the UK, Canada, Australia etc. National and International. I could have been happy with being a musician playing shows but I wanted more and I chased that dream and made it happen. I had consistency and folks know that I will produce a product for them, I will be here to follow up and do future work and they can depend on me. That has built me up a solid client base and my name and reputation follows me and the positive business that I do and have done, Speaks for me…So if you’re starting a business or brand, I would tell you, work hard , stick with it even when it doesn’t look promising. Research and put your investments into areas and places that will benefit your growth. Promote and market to target audiences and be mindful of things that will help you and spend your money on ads that will help you in your demographics and field. There are a lot of online things to promote for free. Don’t fall for the ads that tell you how they can make your business grow and make millions and get you thousands of followers on social media. Put your money, Time and efforts into somewhere that will make a difference first. Then when you get to a solid point, then expand into these other areas and take your business to the next level. Don’t go broke making someone else rich. This will be your business and it’s about you. I could go on so much more about this topic but I will leave you with the Words “Consistency, Persistence, Dedication, Loyalty and have a personality that clients will want to come to you for and do business with. Be someone that people speak highly of watch your business and brand grow. Think to yourself of the places you do business with, look at how they treat you, products offered and the customer service. If you have complaints or compliments about them, Apply this to your business. Offer the things that make you compliment them and don’t do the things you complain about with them..Good luck with your adventures and growth. You can follow me at:
www.thedonnyhammondsband.com
www.facebook.com/donnyhammonds
www.theafterdarkstudio.wix.com/theafterdarkstudio
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
First off I’m a Musician that turned my passion and love into a Full Time Job and successful business. I’ve been in the Music industry for 25 Years and it’s been because of hard work, dedication and always eager to learn and grow. They’re have been challenges and most know that 2020 was not a good year for the Music Business, bands and the Entertainment Industry. I didn’t give up, I held on and actually worked harder to maintain a consistent flow as much as I Could. I started music at the Age of 12, worked hard, stuck with it to this day and it’s been wonderful to live my dream as a Full Time Musician and Recording Studio owner and producer. It hasn’t always been easy but I kept a positive outlook and workflow and it paid off. I’ve learned very much about being able to listen, Be open minded. team player and easy to work with, dedication, persistency, loyalty and hard work ethic. I got to where I am today in my career with these things. With my band, music, Recording studio, my clients know that I will be there and they can depend on me. Some of their success depends on me giving them the products and services that they come to me more. If I fail at doing so, it puts them out as well, So be hard worker and do what you say you’ll do..
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My friends know me and know that I Love music.. So they know we would be going to a concert or to see a Live Band, Live music etc at some place. The places That I’d take them are the places that support my brand and my music as well. I have tons of venues, bars and restaurants that book me to come play shows, so When i go out to eat and spend money, Guess where I spend it” yep, with these place. They support me and in return I want to do the same. Some of my Favorite Spots are: Sixes Tavern, Tom’s Place, Guston’s Grille, El Nopal. Canton ice House, Five O Clock Sports Bar and Little Vine Vineyards, The Moon Roof to name a few. If you go to my website you’ll see the places I perform and those are the places I’d take them.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give a huge thanks to my wife and my Mom. My wife for her support and backing me in what I do as a Musician and Producer. I stay gone on the road a lot traveling playing music and then I work a lot of hours in the Recording Studio Producing other bands and artist. My Mom for supporting and financing my Music passion as a young kid. I needed guitars, drums, gear and all the stuff I wanted to play music and she made it happen and I’m very thankfully for that. My clients (and I hesitate to list them in fear of missing some) as I have many and grateful for each and every one. Without clients I wouldn’t and couldn’t do what I do. The venues that Book me to play music, I appreciate you and what you do to support music and the passion of us Bands and artist.
Website: theafterdarkstudio.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/donnyhammonds
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEcBjHHPIzecI4522C5PPxw
Other: www.theafterdarkstudio.wix.com/theafterdarkstudio
Image Credits
Photo Credits, Todd Dean with T. Dean Images & Music Entertainment