What does it look like to spend twenty years doing the thing nobody could make you stop doing?

In Episode 16 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J welcomes back her dear friend and guitarist Mandy Wilson, aka The Virgin Mandy, for one of the most honest, funny, and genuinely moving conversations of the entire season. Mandy is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and guitarist for Knoxville metal band Summoner's Circle who has spent twenty years playing across genres, bands, and stages of every size. He started playing guitar at thirteen in secret under headphones because in his household music was not just something he loved. It was something forbidden. And the more they tried to skip past it the more he had to have it.

In this conversation we dig into what it really means to build a long term creative career when the only thing keeping you going is the love of the thing itself.

In this episode we dig into how Mandy cultivated his entire musical identity in secret under headphones and why music was not his first love but his first mistress. The benefit concert that changed everything and showed him for the first time that music could create tangible measurable good in another person's life. Why true talent means doing whatever is in service of the music and not in service of yourself. His dad's most powerful piece of advice: if you want to catch an owl you study the rat. How he learned to put on incredible shows for two or three people at a time and why that humility became the foundation of everything. What it is actually like to tour in an Econoline van with seven people, two generators, and Planet Fitness memberships as your shower strategy. Why he keeps a thing of Narcan in his guitar case and what that says about who he is as a human being. And his final gift to every independent artist listening: remember to water the plants and take care of the people who make all of this possible.

This full broadcast includes our signature local music sweeps featuring Summoner's Circle, live cover performances by Josi J and Mandy Wilson, and a special three way cover featuring Josi J, Mandy Wilson, and Evan Thor of Thor and the Reigns.

🎸 Featured artists:
Summoner's Circle: summonerscircle.com
The Virgin Mandy: facebook.com/thevirginmandy
Kings Reign: facebook.com/p/Kings-Reign-61573410607825
Thor and the Reigns: facebook.com/evanthorreigns

🎬 Connect with Mandy Wilson:
summonerscircle.com
facebook.com/thevirginmandy

🌐 Learn more at:
josijanddessert.com/creative-evolution
linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast

Credits:
Guest: Mandy Wilson aka The Virgin Mandy
Host, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director, Editor and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What does it look like to spend twenty years doing the thing nobody could make you stop doing?

In Episode 16 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J welcomes back her dear friend and guitarist Mandy Wilson, aka The Virgin Mandy, for one of the most honest, funny, and genuinely moving conversations of the entire season. Mandy is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and guitarist for Knoxville metal band Summoner's Circle who has spent twenty years playing across genres, bands, and stages of every size. He started playing guitar at thirteen in secret under headphones because in his household music was not just something he loved. It was something forbidden. And the more they tried to skip past it the more he had to have it.

In this conversation we dig into what it really means to build a long term creative career when the only thing keeping you going is the love of the thing itself.

In this episode we dig into how Mandy cultivated his entire musical identity in secret under headphones and why music was not his first love but his first mistress. The benefit concert that changed everything and showed him for the first time that music could create tangible measurable good in another person's life. Why true talent means doing whatever is in service of the music and not in service of yourself. His dad's most powerful piece of advice: if you want to catch an owl you study the rat. How he learned to put on incredible shows for two or three people at a time and why that humility became the foundation of everything. What it is actually like to tour in an Econoline van with seven people, two generators, and Planet Fitness memberships as your shower strategy. Why he keeps a thing of Narcan in his guitar case and what that says about who he is as a human being. And his final gift to every independent artist listening: remember to water the plants and take care of the people who make all of this possible.

This is the pure conversation, start to finish. No music sweeps, no breaks. Just you, Mandy, and twenty years worth of hard won wisdom delivered with equal parts humor and heart.

Talent gets you the gig but professionalism keeps it. Questions always lead to answers. Keep asking. 🎙️

🎬 Connect with Mandy Wilson:
summonerscircle.com
facebook.com/thevirginmandy

🌐 Learn more at:
josijanddessert.com/creative-evolution
linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast

Credits:
Guest: Mandy Wilson aka The Virgin Mandy
Host, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director, Editor, and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In Episode 15 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J sits down with Jeanine Fuller, the Siren of Soul, at her kitchen table in Knoxville Tennessee. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Jeanine is a powerhouse vocalist, bandleader of the True Funk SOULdiers, CEO of J9 Queendom Entertainment LLC, and one of the most resilient independent artists in East Tennessee. She won a national music competition as a teenager, earned a scholarship to UNC School of the Arts, studied at Manhattan School of Music, auditioned for Juilliard and got in but could not afford to go, left school to go on tour, stepped away from music for nearly two decades, and came back through East Tennessee karaoke bars.

In this conversation we dig into what it really means to reinvent yourself, protect your creative energy, and build a career that lasts on your own terms.

In this episode we dig into how Jeanine reinvented her entire musical career in Knoxville after stepping away for years and why she says music does not find her, she finds music. How winning a regional blues competition led her to compete at the International Blues Challenge finals in Memphis with just two months to prepare and a scaled down band. Why she officially structured her art into J9 Queendom Entertainment LLC and why women especially need to own their business and demand respect in this industry. How she protects her creative energy as a mother, bandleader, solo artist, and business owner simultaneously by creating firm boundaries and finding peace in the middle of chaos. Why she features local talent in her shows and builds community over competition. And her powerful final gift to every independent artist listening.

This full broadcast includes our signature local music sweeps featuring tracks from East

🎸 Featured artists:
HiDaze: hidazeband.com/home
Feral Kitty: feralkittymusic.com

🎬 Connect with Jeanine Fuller:
jeaninefuller.com
facebook.com/JeanineFullerMusicPage
instagram.com/jeaninedfuller
Booking: jfullerisawinner72@gmail.com

🌐 Learn more at:
josijanddessert.com/creative-evolution
linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast

Credits:
Guest: Jeanine Fuller
Host, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director, Editor, and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.