Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Flinn.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was raised in Houston and attended Bellaire High School. I took a football scholarship to play quarterback at Kilgore Junior College in East Texas. After a shoulder injury, I transferred to the University of Houston and received my bachelor’s degree in Finance.
After graduation, I took a job working as an analyst for an energy company in Downtown Houston where I remained employed for the next four years. A couple years into that job I decided to pursue my real passion for music in a more professional sense. I began attending open mics in the area and soon after I cut a demo with some local musicians I had met in town.
Before long I was being hired to play in local bars and for private events. In March of 2017, I found myself in a position where I could pursue music full-time based on the volume of gigs I was performing. Around this same time, I released my first EP, Give me Something More.
I am now performing two to three times per week and making a living doing it! I have played all around Houston, Austin, Dallas and more recently in New Mexico and Colorado. I am set to release another single, As Big as the Storm, on December 30th, 2017. This is a song I wrote as a tribute to the incredible spirit and resilience of Houston in response to Hurricane Harvey.
We are also setting up a campaign to receive donations for those still trying to recover. We also filmed our first music video for this project and captured real footage from the incredible Houston Astros parade downtown celebrating their World Series victory. I am very excited for the future and I plan to make a living for the rest of my life performing and writing songs.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am still learning so much about the music industry. Currently, I handle all of my own bookings but I have several talent agencies that provide me with great performance opportunities on a regular basis. I would say one of the biggest struggles for me is actually getting people to listen to my music.
Promotion is definitely one of my weaknesses. There are plenty of professionals that offer these services to musicians but they can be rather expensive and unfortunately, I cannot financially justify that at this point in my career. For now, I will continue to work hard and figure it out on my own!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Max Flinn – what should we know?
I think what sets me apart from others is that I am writing real songs with genuine lyrics. I don’t write the party songs that are so prevalent in today’s “country” music. I am partial to traditional country music and utilize the fiddle and steel guitar often which is something you don’t hear as much anymore. I also think my background in business helps me in the music industry. Since I am a business person first, I understand how to leverage connections and negotiate on behalf of my band to make sure everyone is taken care of.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Integrity is everything. When someone books me for a show they know that I will show up on time, be respectful and give them a performance they will remember. The same goes for my band members. If someone no shows on me I will likely never use them again and the guys I play with are extremely positive.
We play music to have fun and there is no place for negativity in my band. I’ve also developed a reputation as being persistent according to some. When we identify a venue or a show we want, I reach out and if I don’t get an answer I follow up until I get a yes or no. I’m a firm believer in that the worst someone can say is no and I am not afraid to get that answer. It never hurts to ask!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maxflinn.com
- Email: max.flinn@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxflinn/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaxFlinnMusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaxFlinnMusic
- Other: http://www.bandsintown.com/MaxFlinn
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