Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Gallagher.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my production company Gracie G Productions in Austin back in 1997. at the time I had just produced and released my premier music album “Pregnant Pause”, a harp and instrumental album specifically for children and parents to listen, be able to enjoy together, and to help smooth over difficult times of day, like car rides, bedtime or the hellish hour before dinner is ready. The music is timeless and is still in circulation on the market today, almost 30 years later.
The album was popular enough to show up on popular and New Age music charts around the country, with great reviews and acquiring an ASCAP Popular Music Award and a Parents Choice Approved designation in 1998. I also appeared on Austin KLRU video and radio programs at that time.
My recordings, skills and Gracie G Productions grew enough to become a voting member of the Recording Academy and expanded into production activities in video and film, which continue to this day focused mostly in the music, art and aerospace industries.
Since then, my music has evolved with the industry into a more ambient electronic style, incorporating innovative harp styles and advanced audio production in immersive audio. I was signed as an artist by record label Spotted Peccary Music in the early 2000’s, with about half a dozen albums released in their artists catalog to date with more in current production.
My artworks, mostly paintings and combined paintings/digital arts have been published in books and periodicals, and exhibited internationally. A portfolio of artworks were even enclosed in a time capsule (in digital form of course) that was launched and landed aboard a recent successful moon lander and now resides in perpetuity on the lunar surface.
More art is scheduled to head out to space on future lunar and asteroid missions, as well as exhibited regularly in both physical and digital domains, with music albums in the production queue for release over the next few years.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As any small business owner in the modern era would attest, starting a small business (especially in the arts field) is always a challenge. It was and remains difficult to establish both a reputation and a visible and memorable presence to stand out amongst great talent while competing in a business world that focuses their attention on the success of very select few.
Technologies continue to rapidly advance, each format transition causing market and marketing disruptions, (such as LP’s to tapes to CD’s to mp3 to advanced audio formats, or tape to computer based audio production, now immersive audio formats). This requires constant resilient upgrading of both refined skills, studio production systems and positive public relations. Investment in those technologies, keeping up with new trends and balancing them with financial returns is a continual challenge, as in any modern business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I strive to refine my artistic skills and authentic expression, stretching the boundaries of what is possible both with my instruments, such as electric harp and lyre and my visual arts. I have my own unique style, sometimes combining all the arts into novel creative forms.
For more information, to view the art and access the music, I would recommend looking at my comprehensive website, www.cherylgallagher.com.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
The key to risk management is to go ahead and try. Over the years of my career, I’ve taken many risks, some were huge, some were small, some worked out well, others not so much. Some great outcomes would never in a million years have happened if I didn’t take the chance, and some efforts were ahead of their time so are only now showing their potential and being appreciated. Go ahead and give it a try. Do realize that as long as you are doing what you are passionate about, it really doesn’t matter whether others appreciate your passion as much as you do. If finances are an issue (when are finances not an issue these days!) keep the day job and do your passion when you can. Don’t give up.
Make sure you focus on your own authentic expression, grow that relentlessly, rather than trying to please those outside of yourself, that is one of my most important life lessons. Take the time to do your work well, keep learning. Don’t let someone’s “No” stop you if you believe in what you’re doing, and it’s truly never too late to start.. At a minimum, you will be happier for pursuing your own authentic path. You do you, boo!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cherylgallagher.com and www.madhavidevi.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-gallagher-44224821
- Youtube: @cherylgallagher
- Bandcamp: https://cherylgallagher.bandcamp.com/album/pregnant-pause
- Other: https://madhavi-devi.bandcamp.com/?label=1578511096&tab=artists
