We were fortunate enough to have Kevin Barrett join Jeff Hartman on a recording session with singer/songwriter Julia Gruver and on a Walmart commercial shoot in Concord, NC, for his senior sound engineering project.

I’ve been teaching for many years now, and it’s safe to say I demand a nominal level of effort and autonomy. I subscribe to high standards and modest expectations. My father was a man of his word, and I’ve little patience for those who aren’t—Do what you say, say what you mean.

First of all, always use any vocal strengthening routine that you’re comfortable with and that you believe in (exercises, warm-ups, etc.)

Write songs for the right reason. Write from your heart, not for your wallet.

Like L.A., you’re a very small fish in a very big pond. More artists are discovered outside of Nashville, especially when you’re a big fish in a small pond.

A behind-the-scenes look at a quintessential Everything Artist’s journey with Hickory Arts—from penning to publishing, from promoting to performing, from inspiration to accomplishment.

The particular idea of indifference to external conditions was often a topic of debate in many of my acting classes in college.

The studio on Highland Avenue, next to Johnson Piano & Organ Exchange, is currently and will hopefully continue to be home to Hickory, NC's first professional commercial recording and film post-production facility, photography, teaching & production studio, and Hickory's official house concert & master class venue.

Quality over quantity. Ask not what your students can do for you; ask what you can do for your students. Give a man a fish. You get the picture. The Jerry Maguire mantra is something that unfortunately escapes most teaching studios and is something I'm fortunately in a position to offer.

I appreciate but respectfully disagree to a certain degree with anti-secular music sermons regarding professed Christian artists who sing other lyrics that undermine Christian faith and values.

If there's one thing I've learned the hard way, it's that values are typically the first thing artists "sell out" in terms of money, success, and the prospect of opportunity.

Writing, arranging, and recording is a full-time gig. Space and focus are everything if you want your music to be the best it can be.

Sometimes it’s more obvious to others what one should be doing with his or her time. I got that speech later than sooner. At the end of the day, limits are an artist’s worst enemy. Happiness is what matters most, and if you’re happy, that’s a good thing.