This week I’m talking with my friends Ben and Lauren Johnson. We are talking about the pros and cons of being married and both working as professional musicians in different aspects of the industry. As well as discussing how connecting with the right people in the industry who can mentor you can help launch your career and open doors that might now otherwise. Plus, the benefits of having an good online presence. Sponsors: Edenbrooke Productions - We offer consulting services and are offering listeners a 1-hour introductory special. To request more info on consulting services, email Marty at contact@johnmartinkeith.com.  In this episode we talk about: *Being a married couple in the music industry.  *Multiple streams of income. *Learning to improvise.  *The importance of learning to transcribe music at an early age. *Reach for “unattainable things.” *The benefits of being on X Factor and similar shows. *Always be learning. *Every setback is just a setup for a comeback. *The real music industry vs. reality tv talent shows. *Creating a sound and identity as an artist. *Learn to be happy for other people’s success. *Having a good online presence. *Instagram is the new business card. *Post consistently so you show up in Instagram’s algorithms. *Post things you care about. *Showcase what you do in a consistent way so people quickly know who you are, what you care about and what you do. *Lauren’s instagram for consulting is @lalalauren678. *If you can make tracks you are more valuable in co-writes. *The value of having a mentor who is already successful. *To be competitive as a writer: write more songs, find a great mentor, take constructive criticism, find great titles, co-write, study songs and find out why they are successful. *Write with the artist to have a better chance of getting songs cut. Just write parts of the song and ask the artist to write another section to make it their own. *Being married and both in the industry works because of not competing with each other. *Having goals planned out before getting married. *Supporting your spouse’s career and being intentional with each other. *Take time for yourself, remember to have fun, it’s okay to say “no.” *Love you what you do. *Contact Ben at @theonlybenjohnson2 or @track45. *Contact Lauren at www.laurenconklin.com or @lalalauren678. BIO: Ben Johnson is a songwriter and producer living in Nashville, TN. He is signed to a worldwide co-publishing deal with Tape Room Music (Nashville) and Artist Publishing Group (Los Angeles), and has written songs for artists such as Charlie Puth, Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, Ava Max, Lee Brice, Meek Mill, Justin Timberlake, Lauren Alaina, and more.  Originally from Meridian, Mississippi, Johnson grew up surrounded by music. He is a classically trained pianist and cellist, and grew up performing in orchestras as well as in bluegrass groups. From a young age, Johnson has written and produced music with his two sisters in their band Track45 (now managed by Missi Gallimore and Gary Borman, and in the process of completing their first label deal).  In 2012, Johnson moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University on a cello scholarship, and it was at this time that he began co-writing. Johnson also made many connections in the country world singing BGVs for the CMA Awards each year- heʼs had the opportunity to perform with artists like Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Reba, and many more. Johnson met Ashley Gorley of Taperoom Music through a co-writer and they began working together, leading to Johnsonʼs eventual signing at Tape Room Music in 2018.  His first major cut was “Patient” with multi-platinum pop artist Charlie Puth on his 2018 album “Voicenotes”. Since then, heʼs had dozens of cuts in both the pop and country worlds, as well as success as a producer, notably with artists Hunter Phelps and co-producing Kylie Morgan with Shane Macanally.  Currently, Ben spends most of his time writing and producing at his studio on Music Row, and working with his band Track45 on new music set to be released later this year.  Lauren BIO Lauren is a composer and multi-instrumentalist living and working in Nashville, TN. She began her musical career as a fiddle player, and has performed on stages from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to the Royal Albert Concert Hall in London and has worked with artists and productions such as Miley Cyrus, Lonestar, Florida Georgia Line, ABC/CMTʼs Nashville, The CMT Awards, Jools Holland, Montgomery Gentry, Josh Thompson, Kix Brooks, Little Big Town, Andra Day, Lee  Ann Womack, as the featured artist for Bonafonteʼs international advertising campaign, HighRoad, Matt Maher, and many others.  Lauren is a graduate of Belmont University with a degree in Commercial Music. Her background in bluegrass and Celtic music lends a unique sound to her compositions and recordings. Her sound is full of lush strings, cinematic world- music inspired percussion, and draws musical elements from her time traveling and performing in Scandinavia, the Middle East, and Latin America. She recently released her second solo EP, “Water Music Part II”, available now on all digital streaming platforms.  Currently, Lauren lives in Nashville, TN, where she works as a composer, recording artist, and touring musician. In her free time, Lauren loves to paint, read books, and play with her Bernedoodle, JuJu.