Though it may have looked a little different than a normal No. 1 party, Anthem Entertainment and Warner Chappell Music hosted an intimate dinner this week for Chris Janson and the co-writers of his multi-week chart-topping single “Done.”

“Done” was a MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart No. 1 in July.

The hit song, written by Janson, Mitch Oglesby, Matt Roy and Jamie Paulin, marks the Warner Music Nashville’s fourth career No. 1 as an artist. “Done” follows his Gold-certified, No. 1 “Good Vibes.” Jason’s current single, “Waitin’ On 5,” is at country radio and streaming platforms.

Lucas Hoge‘s first gospel project, the 10-track acoustic Sunday Sessions, is out today (Jan. 22).

Sunday Sessions follows the tremendous response to Hoge’s #SundaySessions weekly live stream, which airs Sundays on Facebook at 8 a.m. PT in partnership with Country Rebel. The album features acoustic versions of gospel hymns and standards that were most requested during his Sunday live stream, along with some of Hoge’s original faith-based music. Hoge’s #SundaySessions have continue to chart on Pollstar‘s Weekly Livestream Chart for 28 out of 32 weeks.

The Nebraska native returns with his new series Hoge Wild for a second season in June 2021. The show had a successful inaugural season in the U.S. on Sportsman Channel in 2020 and is now airing in Canada Friday nights at 11 p.m. ET and re-airing throughout the week on Sportsman Channel Canada. Fans everywhere can stream the series on MOTV. Hoge Wild takes viewers across the globe with the singer as he travels to New Zealand, Bolivia, Africa and more.

Sunday Sessions Track List: 
1.) Sweet By and By
2.) Because He Lives
3.) Just A Closer Walk With Thee
4.) Don’t Fear Goodbye
5.) Power In The Blood
6.) How Great Thou Art
7.) Old Rugged Cross
8.) Have I Done Something
9.) Everlasting Arms
10.) This Little Light Of Mine Medley

I can’t imagine living without safety nets.

One of the traits I often envy in other entrepreneurs is the ability to throw all the chips on the table without a safety net.

While I would love to be more like that, unless I have an idea that’s a proven concept or doesn’t require a big financial or time investment, I have a tendency to gingerly approach the path and slowly increase my wager as I see positive results. While that has worked for me, there’s something really admirable about people who go all in, risking everything, with a “do-or-die” mentality.

I’ve seen that philosophy produce both skyrocketing and unimaginable successes, as well as nosediving falls. But I believe despite the fears and bruises, the rewards are often sweeter.

Safety nets have a very important role in navigating one’s career path. They allow you to step out on the edge, take some chances, with the comfort of knowing you won’t lose it all if it goes south. But something I’ve realized lately is that while a net can save your ass from falling and hitting the ground, sometimes it can actually be causing more harm than good, despite your best intentions.

Do you have a safety net in your life that is keeping you from flying?

We’ve probably all learned many lessons about having safety nets during this pandemic. When I first started out in my career, I recall the goal of having an emergency fund of 4-6 weeks to cover personal expenses was pretty standard practice. Looking back, it seems rather inadequate as a standard measure, even for back then. These days, financial gurus such as Suze Orman often tout a minimum eight-month emergency fund claiming it can take that long to find a new job. While she may not have ever mentioned it being needed in a pandemic, the logic is the same and during these past 10 months, many have had to deplete their emergency funds.

But not all safety nets are financial.

I actually started my career as a safety net of sorts. When I decided to major in accounting with plans on becoming a C.P.A., I wanted something that would be a safe bet in finding employment. Deep down, I always wanted to own my own business, but I have a natural aversion to risk. Before I started college, I knew every company in existence needed accountants. Those seemed like pretty good odds to me.

I figured I could always learn other aspects of a business through experience so getting my C.P.A. was the safety net I wanted. Fast forward 15 years later, my employer at the time, Arista Records, merged with another label, and I received the proverbial pink slip. I was shocked to find out that afterwards, my phone didn’t continuously ring with new career opportunities. I expected my safety net to save me, but it didn’t. I enjoyed working in many aspects of finance and I was good at it. I’m grateful for the experience and how my career path led me to where I am today, but that net didn’t keep me from getting bruised. It didn’t keep me from having a few really lean years. It didn’t give me security. And in the end, I realized it wasn’t a net after all.

Other safety nets can appear as ‘mental nets’ or attitudes. Those can keep you from taking action or make you act in ways you shouldn’t. And perhaps the worst part is they can get intertwined with the most harmful enemy of anyone wanting success… fear. Unlike fear, they have a very beneficial-looking appearance but are really nothing more than piles of junk getting in your way of success, all while being fully cloaked in something that appears to be for protection.

Have you ever noticed how our junk in our homes starts to really stand out when you are having guests coming over? You can have clutter sitting around in a room and over time, it blends in and you no longer even notice it. But then you have a visitor planning to come over, and all of that same clutter now appears to have a spotlight shining right on top of it, creating an urgency to get it cleaned up before your guests arrive. And similar to that untidiness, it’s important to periodically look around and take inventory of any safety nets that have also become clutter.

 

Off The Record is a recurring column from MusicRow Owner and Publisher, Sherod Robertson. After 10 years heading the publication, he shares some of the nuggets of wisdom he’s acquired throughout the years that have helped him in his journey. The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of MusicRow Magazine nor its team members.

Prior Installments:
Off The Record: What Is Your Word For 2021?

Off The Record: Show Me The Receipts!