Meet Greg Fortune | Musician and Artist

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

Hi Greg, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
By the end of my career, I’d like to be widely known and regarded as an artist and musician who made a positive contribution to the cultural archive, but more than that, I would like that every person who may benefit and appreciate it, have an opportunity to experience it. Personally, I simply wish to be in a comfortable circumstance, which allows me to continue exploring the boundaries of creativity, while the art and music that arrives through me, enriches people’s lives. I don’t have delusions of grandeur, my goal is to simply continue writing, recording and performing original music and undertaking new and challenging projects and experiences until the end of my days.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an independent singer, songwriter, musician and artist. What sets me apart from others is that this has all been a journey of self-discovery and I’m so excited to be on this path. Although I won ribbons and art awards as a child, loved music, and wished to take piano and guitar lessons, I was never encouraged to pursue this path. My parents are both military veterans and very practical. Upon graduating high school I chose my first inexpensive guitar over a class ring. I was encouraged to earn a degree and begin a career in mechanical engineering. I later earned a master’s degree, also in mechanical engineering and continued to work in the profession, while the hours and responsibilities increased, time to pursue creative endeavors as well as a healthy work / life balance steadily decreased. Feeling the pressure between choosing corporate America vs. my creative passions, once the time for creative endeavors was all but extinguished, I chose to not let them die. The decision was not difficult. I am thankful for the degrees and for the corporate experience; however, I have chosen to pursue my passion. I have been a full-time professional musician, artist and entrepreneur for four years now and even after suffering months with no gigs during the pandemic, and earning only a fraction of my former salary, I am proud to say that I have no regrets.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I were to host a friend, I would want them to experience the culture more than anything! We would visit art galleries, such as the High Museum of Art, eat at restaurants featuring cuisine from the world over, with a special emphasis on the south of course, and we’d take every opportunity to absorb live music from the symphony to the small juke joints. There are good times to experience all over!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to any and everyone who has encouraged me to continue on this creative journey! If I were to choose a single person to dedicate this to, it would definitely be to my mother, who departed this earthly realm years ago. She funded my first professional recorder and would often reflect on her feelings about that songs that I wrote. My mother loved music dearly, sang beautifully and enjoyed playing the piano. There’s a constant battle with self-doubt involved with pursuing a creative career so naturally I would like to thank everyone who has purchased a recording or art print, or come to a performance, or simply offered a word or gesture of encouragement!

Website: greg4tune.com

Instagram: @greg.4tune

Twitter: @greg4tunemusic

Facebook: @greg.fortune.music

Youtube: @gregfortune6969