Creative Evolution

In Episode 14 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with veteran frontman Evan Thor of Thor and the Rains, a power trio out of Knoxville, Tennessee that has been delivering wildly eclectic live performances for over 20 years.

Evan Thor is not your typical musician. A US Air Force veteran, self-taught guitarist, and Doctor of Business Administration, Thor picked up the guitar at 20, was selected twice to audition for the Air Force's prestigious Tops in Blue touring band, and built a 2,000+ show career entirely on his own terms. In this conversation, he breaks down exactly what it takes to build a long term independent music career from the ground up.

We cover:

The discipline the military instilled in him and how he applies it to every single show.

Why the golden rule of longevity is simple: talent gets you the gig, but professionalism keeps it.

How shifting your mindset from self-promotion to self-advocacy changes everything about how you market your music.

Why playing for yourself first is the key to staying connected to your art through thousands of performances.

How to build a loyal local fan base and why the local music scene offers better talent than any arena concert, for free.

What 8 years of writer's block taught him about creativity, burnout, and coming back stronger.

Why eclectic is a superpower, not a liability.

Whether you are just starting out or years into your career, Thor's story is proof that authenticity, professionalism, and a refusal to give up are the only blueprint you need.

As Thor says, talent gets you the gig. Now go find out what keeps it.

Your time to evolve starts right now.

🎶 Featured Independent Artists:

Thor and The Reigns: https://www.facebook.com/evanthorreigns/

Thor and The Reigns, White Girl (Official Music Video): https://youtu.be/rx3YF1UQ8yM?si=neFdatQmPmik7NqV

Skyway 61: https://skyway61.com

Belfast 6 Pack: https://www.facebook.com/Belfast6Pack/

🌐 Connect with Creative Evolution: https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionhttps://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast

🎬 Credits:

Guest: Evan Thor

Host, Editor, Producer, Copywriter, Art Director and Designer: Josie Jones

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

In Episode 14 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with veteran frontman Evan Thor of Thor and the Rains, a power trio out of Knoxville, Tennessee that has been delivering wildly eclectic live performances for over 20 years.

Evan Thor is not your typical musician. A US Air Force veteran, self-taught guitarist, and Doctor of Business Administration, Thor picked up the guitar at 20, was selected twice to audition for the Air Force's prestigious Tops in Blue touring band, and built a 2,000+ show career entirely on his own terms. In this conversation, he breaks down exactly what it takes to build a long term independent music career from the ground up.

We cover:

The discipline the military instilled in him and how he applies it to every single show.

Why the golden rule of longevity is simple: talent gets you the gig, but professionalism keeps it.

How shifting your mindset from self-promotion to self-advocacy changes everything about how you market your music.

Why playing for yourself first is the key to staying connected to your art through thousands of performances.

How to build a loyal local fan base and why the local music scene offers better talent than any arena concert, for free.

What 8 years of writer's block taught him about creativity, burnout, and coming back stronger.

Why eclectic is a superpower, not a liability.

Whether you are just starting out or years into your career, Thor's story is proof that authenticity, professionalism, and a refusal to give up are the only blueprint you need.

As Thor says, talent gets you the gig. Now go find out what keeps it.

Your time to evolve starts right now.

🎶 Featured Independent Artists:

Thor and The Reigns: https://www.facebook.com/evanthorreigns/

Thor and The Reigns, White Girl (Official Music Video): https://youtu.be/rx3YF1UQ8yM?si=neFdatQmPmik7NqV

Skyway 61: https://skyway61.com

Belfast 6 Pack: https://www.facebook.com/Belfast6Pack/

🌐 Connect with Creative Evolution: https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolutionhttps://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast

🎬 Credits:

Guest: Evan Thor

Host, Editor, Producer, Copywriter, Art Director and Designer: Josie Jones

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

Three months in. Thirteen episodes deep. And the blueprint is becoming impossible to ignore.

In Episode 13 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J delivers the May Evolution Report, Dispatch No. 3. This month we are stepping back from individual guest interviews to distill the absolute best lessons from Episodes 10, 11, and 12 into one powerful episode. Plus a very special segment with a living legend, the saxophonist for Josi J and Dessert, George Hunter aka Sugarbear, who has been playing music for over seventy years.

In this episode we revisit:

Episode 10: Best Friends and Bad Guys with Big N Funky Productions. Luke Walker and Vinnie Vineyard on building a fiercely independent creative partnership, why imperfections give art its human soul, why AI will never replace genuine human creativity, and why you should treat every creative set like a party and drop your inhibitions.

Episode 11: Open Mics, Meatball Covers, and Chosen Family with Chris Marshall. The ultimate musician life hack for securing weekly residencies, the meatball cover strategy for commanding a dead crowd, the hard business truths about paying your side musicians and keeping IRS compliant books, and why building a community is more important than chasing the spotlight.

Episode 12: Calluses, Chords, and Commitment with Dwight Wilson. Why having a day job does not diminish your identity as a musician, the six P's of prior proper preparation, the Victor Wooten philosophy that there are no wrong notes, and how walking the love walk transforms the entire music ecosystem around you.

In this episode we also dig into:

A special segment with George Hunter aka Sugarbear. Knoxville native, former music teacher at Austin East High School, veteran whose musical background kept him off the battlefield, and the saxophonist for Josi J and Dessert at seventy nine years old. George shares his brilliant practice hack of playing saxophone along with records as a DJ to make his horn sound like any instrument he wanted, and his timeless advice for young musicians after seven decades of playing.

Four major themes that tie together every single episode of Creative Evolution across three months of guests. The harmony of community and why you must champion your local scene. Professional humility and the dark quiet work of preparation. Doing it afraid and failing forward. And radical independence and protecting your worth.

🎬 Connect:

Big N Funky Productions: funkmasterv.com

Chris Marshall: https://www.reverbnation.com/chrismarshall8

Dwight Wilson: https://www.instagram.com/djrome28

George Hunter aka Sugarbear: josijanddessert.com

🌐 Learn more at:

https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolution

https://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast

Credits:

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

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

In Episode 12 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with Dwight Wilson (aka "The Oneder") guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, church music director, father of five, and lead guitarist of Josi J and Dessert. Dwight's story is a masterclass in what it looks like to build a long-term creative career without burning out, burning bridges, or giving up.

Dwight started in church, picking up drums before moving to saxophone (where he always had to be first chair), then guitar, piano, bass, and beyond. He quit guitar in fifth grade because his fingers hurt, came back at 16, and never stopped again. Those early calluses shaped everything.

In this episode, we get into:

✔️ Growing up in a Pentecostal church and how faith shaped his musicianship

✔️ Quitting guitar at 10, coming back at 16, and what that break taught him about perseverance

✔️ Joining Josi J and Dessert under fire: learning a full set list in one week and showing up to a show where half the band didn't

✔️ How he balances being lead guitarist in a touring band, church music director, full-time employee, and dad of five

✔️ His 11pm practice sessions: one Bluetooth earbud, no amp, everyone else asleep

✔️ Why he still figures out chords by ear instead of going straight to YouTube

✔️ The business side of music no one talks about: how your mindset changes everything

✔️ Why tearing other musicians down will never get you ahead

✔️ His philosophy on creative burnout, bad shows, and staying grounded

✔️ His #1 piece of advice for every independent artist: walk your love walk

🎶 Featured Independent Artists:

Serranna: https://www.facebook.com/sarrennamusic/

Lauren Oxford: https://laurenoxford.com

Liv Noelle: https://livnoelle.com

💎 Sponsored by:

Wizard of Rocks

https://www.facebook.com/WizardOfRocks

https://www.instagram.com/wizard_of_rocks

🌐 Connect with Creative Evolution:

https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolution

https://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast

🎬 Credits:

Guest: Dwight Wilson

Editor: Alison Danielle

Host, Producer, Copywriter, Art Director and Designer: Josie Jones

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

In Episode 12 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with Dwight Wilson (aka "The Oneder") guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, church music director, father of five, and lead guitarist of Josi J and Dessert. Dwight's story is a masterclass in what it looks like to build a long-term creative career without burning out, burning bridges, or giving up.

Dwight started in church, picking up drums before moving to saxophone (where he always had to be first chair), then guitar, piano, bass, and beyond. He quit guitar in fifth grade because his fingers hurt, came back at 16, and never stopped again. Those early calluses shaped everything.

In this episode, we get into:

✔️ Growing up in a Pentecostal church and how faith shaped his musicianship

✔️ Quitting guitar at 10, coming back at 16, and what that break taught him about perseverance

✔️ Joining Josi J and Dessert under fire: learning a full set list in one week and showing up to a show where half the band didn't

✔️ How he balances being lead guitarist in a touring band, church music director, full-time employee, and dad of five

✔️ His 11pm practice sessions: one Bluetooth earbud, no amp, everyone else asleep

✔️ Why he still figures out chords by ear instead of going straight to YouTube

✔️ The business side of music no one talks about: how your mindset changes everything

✔️ Why tearing other musicians down will never get you ahead

✔️ His philosophy on creative burnout, bad shows, and staying grounded

✔️ His #1 piece of advice for every independent artist: walk your love walk

💎 Sponsored by:

Wizard of Rocks

https://www.facebook.com/WizardOfRocks

https://www.instagram.com/wizard_of_rocks

🌐 Connect with Creative Evolution:

https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolution

https://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast

🎬 Credits:

Guest: Dwight Wilson

Editor: Alison Danielle

Host, Producer, Copywriter, Art Director and Designer: Josie Jones

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

Meet Chris Marshall. East Texas native. Knoxville-based multi-instrumentalist. Author of the book The Lighthouse and the Machine. Full-time independent professional musician who pays his bills entirely through his creative ventures. And the mastermind behind some of the most successful open mics, jams, and artist showcases in East Tennessee.

In Episode 11 of Creative Evolution, Chris shares his philosophy for building a sustainable, long-term career: building a community is much more important than chasing the spotlight.

We go deep on what it takes to thicken your skin as a solo performer and how to command a room with a simple dramatic pause. Chris breaks down his ultimate "musician life hack" of hosting open mics to secure weekly residencies, how he handles a quiet crowd by rolling straight into a classic "meatball cover", and why you must absolutely never be a "dipper" who leaves the venue right after playing your own set.

We also talk about Chris's journey of rebuilding his life after a 20-year marriage ended, how he found his chosen family in the local music scene, and the honest stories behind his original songs, including the biting truth of his track, "They All Come Back from Nashville".

Chris drops some incredibly practical industry advice, including his golden rules for hiring side musicians (pay them and leave your "lead singer disease" at the door), the power of boots-on-the-ground networking over cold emails, and why you must always make sure you are good with the IRS.

Plus, we get to hear Chris perform several of his original songs live!

Remember: Questions always lead to answers. So, keep asking.

💎 Sponsored by:

Wizard of Rocks

https://www.facebook.com/WizardOfRocks

https://www.instagram.com/wizard_of_rocks

🌐 Connect:

https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolution

https://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast

🎬 Credits:

Guest: Chris Marshall

Editor: Alison Danielle

Host, Producer, Copywriter, Art Director and Designer: Josie Jones

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

Meet Chris Marshall. East Texas native. Knoxville-based multi-instrumentalist. Author of the book The Lighthouse and the Machine. Full-time independent professional musician who pays his bills entirely through his creative ventures. And the mastermind behind some of the most successful open mics, jams, and artist showcases in East Tennessee.

In Episode 11 of Creative Evolution, Chris shares his philosophy for building a sustainable, long-term career: building a community is much more important than chasing the spotlight.

We go deep on what it takes to thicken your skin as a solo performer and how to command a room with a simple dramatic pause. Chris breaks down his ultimate "musician life hack" of hosting open mics to secure weekly residencies, how he handles a quiet crowd by rolling straight into a classic "meatball cover" like Steve Miller's The Joker, and why you must absolutely never be a "dipper" who leaves the venue right after playing your own set.

We also talk about Chris's journey of rebuilding his life, how he found his chosen family in the local music scene, and the honest stories behind his original songs, including the biting truth of his track, "They All Come Back from Nashville". Chris drops some incredibly practical industry advice, including his golden rules for hiring side musicians (pay them and leave your "lead singer disease" at the door), the power of boots-on-the-ground networking over cold emails, and why you must always make sure you are good with the IRS.

This is the full broadcast version of the episode! Not only do we get to hear Chris perform several of his original songs live, but this episode also features our signature music sweeps highlighting incredible local sound.

🎶 Featured Independent Artists:

Alison Danielle - https://www.facebook.com/alialioxenfree13/

Chris Marshall - https://www.facebook.com/chris.marshall.58910

The Band Solstice - https://www.thebandsolstice.com

💎 Sponsored by:

Wizard of Rocks

https://www.facebook.com/WizardOfRocks

https://www.instagram.com/wizard_of_rocks

🌐 Connect:

https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolution

https://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast

🎬 Credits:

Guest: Chris Marshall

Editor: Alison Danielle

Host, Producer, Copywriter, Art Director and Designer: Josie Jones

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

What happens when a 6'8" former police officer clotheslines a man in a white mink coat and a three foot afro wig with Christmas lights on a concrete floor outside a wrestling ring in Wartburg, Tennessee? You get the origin story of Big N Funky Productions, and one of the greatest creative partnerships in East Tennessee history.

In Episode 10 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J welcomes back Big Luke Walker and Funkmaster V for a conversation about what it really means to build something with your best friend. Together they are the co-founders of Big N Funky Productions, the independent film company behind four feature films streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Plex, and Fawesome. They are also wrestlers, musicians, paranormal investigators, and two of the most entertaining humans to ever sit in the Creative Evolution Hot Seat.

In this episode they take us behind the scenes of their creative partnership: how they met, what makes Big and Funky work when solo work cannot, how their wildly different comedy styles complement each other on screen and off, and why the cheeseburger in the backpack is the greatest opening line in independent film history. They also give us a sneak peek at their upcoming sci fi horror comedy Showdown in Secret City — the story of four brave filmmakers taking on the Oak Ridge supercomputer to reclaim art for the humans. Are you Team Human or Team AI?

This is the pure conversation, start to finish. No music sweeps, no breaks. Just you, Big Luke, Funkmaster V, and a masterclass in building a creative partnership that lasts.

Questions always lead to answers. Keep asking. 🎙️

💎 Sponsored by: Wizard of Rocks

https://www.facebook.com/WizardOfRocks

https://www.instagram.com/wizard_of_rocks

🎬 Connect with Big N Funky Productions:

funkmasterv.com

funkmasterv.blogspot.com

🌐 Learn more at:

https://josijanddessert.com/creative-evolution

https://linktr.ee/creativeevolutionpodcast

Credits:

Guests: Luke "Big Luke" Walker and Vinnie "Funkmaster V" Vineyard

Editor: Alison Danielle

Host, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones

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

What happens when a 6'8" former police officer clotheslines a man in a white mink coat and a three foot afro wig with Christmas lights on a concrete floor outside a wrestling ring in Wartburg, Tennessee? You get the origin story of Big N Funky Productions and one of the greatest creative partnerships in East Tennessee history.

In Episode 10 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J welcomes back Big Luke Walker and Funkmaster V for a conversation about what it really means to build something with your best friend. Together they are the co-founders of Big N Funky Productions, the independent film company behind four feature films streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Plex, and Fawesome. They are also wrestlers, musicians, paranormal investigators, and two of the most entertaining humans to ever sit in the Creative Evolution Hot Seat.

In this episode they take us behind the scenes of their creative partnership: how they met, what makes Big and Funky work when solo work cannot, how their wildly different comedy styles complement each other on screen and off, and why the cheeseburger in the backpack is the greatest opening line in independent film history. They also give us a sneak peek at their upcoming sci fi horror comedy Showdown in Secret City, the story of four brave filmmakers taking on the Oak Ridge supercomputer to reclaim art for the humans. Are you Team Human or Team AI?

This full broadcast includes our signature local music sweeps featuring tracks from East Tennessee's finest independent artists.

Questions always lead to answers. Keep asking. 🎙️

💎 Sponsored by: Wizard of Rocks

https://www.facebook.com/WizardOfRocks
https://www.instagram.com/wizard_of_rocks

🎸 Featured artists:

Alicia Harvey: aharveymusic.com

Kings Reign: https://www.facebook.com/KINGSREIGNBAND

J Bu$h: https://www.instagram.com/jbush865

Sammy T and the Sunny D: https://www.facebook.com/sammyandthesunny/

🎬 Connect with Big N Funky Productions: funkmasterv.com funkmasterv.blogspot.com

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

Credits:

Guests: Luke "Big Luke" Walker and Vinnie "Funkmaster V" Vineyard

Editor: Alison Danielle

Host, Producer, Copywriter, Research, Art Director and Designer: Josie "Josi J" Jones

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

This month we are stepping back from individual guest interviews and doing something different. We are distilling the absolute best blueprints from our April guests into one powerful episode and diving deep into one of the most critical business concepts for any independent artist: your Unique Selling Proposition.

In this episode we revisit:

Episode 8: Doing It on Your Own Terms with Vinnie Vineyard (Interview Only)

Episode 7: Failing Forward and Finding Integrity with Luke Walker (Interview Only)

Episode 6: Bombing, Boundaries, & Being Kind with Nicole Starnes (Interview Only)

Episode 5: Stepping Into the Spotlight with Sam Travis (Interview Only)

Sponsored by: Wizard of Rocks https://www.facebook.com/WizardOfRockshttps://www.instagram.com/wizard_of_rocks

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

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