“How do you know what to do?” My mother asked this question after she came to my show in Chicago during the tour with my rhythm section to support my new album last year. She asked because she had never seen me perform my own music, and certainly not with a band on a tour.

“I’m making it up as I go along,” I replied with a laugh.

I am smart and have a great imagination. That has been enough to get me where I am in my music career, and I’m relieved to learn from knowledgeable people that so far I’ve been doing almost everything right. I have had the feeling lately, however, that I need guidance and expertise if I am to reach the level of accomplishment I want in this business.

Then John Simpson dropped back into my life. I met John more than 15 years ago, and although we were still Facebook friends, we had not interacted in years. Then, out of the blue, he reached out to me last November and offered to photograph my December show in San Jose for free. I was startled. I was surprised that he thought enough of my abilities to warrant a free photography offer. Turns out, he does.

Our friendship and working relationship grew from that moment, and recently I asked him if he’d consider being my manager. John was already offering so many valuable suggestions and has decades of experience in the music business. I am very, very lucky because he said yes.

It is not a coincidence that now that John is helping me, my life is So. Much. Better. I no longer worry about what I’m not doing because he is organizing exciting projects I have had no time to consider. I am no longer stressed about tech questions because he is honing my and my band’s live sound with his unparalleled ear, knowledge, and expertise. Plus he takes ridiculously fabulous performance photos.

Most importantly, he believes in me: in my abilities as a songwriter and a singer, as a performer, and as a force to be reckoned with, so much so that for the first time, I came home from a gig truly believing I had killed it. My family and close friends have always believed in me, and I have always believed, too, but with lingering doubt. John’s confidence in my ability and my talent buoys me. Suddenly, my doubts haunt me less, and the true spirit of who I am on stage and as a singer-songwriter is blossoming, rapidly and fully. And my band’s live show is getting better and better with every suggestion John offers.

So thank you, John. You dropped into my life as the perfect person at the perfect moment, and I could not be more grateful for your help as my Artist Relations & Production Manager. Can’t wait to see where this takes us.

You can reach John at john.simpson@marthagrovesperry.com.

Curious about my music? Listen to (and buy!) all three releases >>HERE<<

Come see for yourself how John’s ministrations make my amazing band *pop* on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at the historic Savoy Tivoli in San Francisco. Singer-songwriter Nate Walker, who performs under the moniker Redemption Breaking, will open, and everyone who attends will receive a free Martha Groves Perry wristband and will have a chance to win a free CD and MGP T-Shirt! Show details >>HERE<<