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Occupation: Singer & Songwriter
Website: Tammy Raybould
Biography: Tammy has shared the stage with Sarah McLachlan during Lilith Fair 1998, 54-40, Sloan, performed at the Canadian Association of Broadcastersâ "Rock The Hill" event along side Wide Mouth Mason, Jim Cuddy, et al; played the mainstage at Parliament Hillâs Canada Day celebrations; sang at the 1999 Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto; and headlined legendary clubs such as Torontoâs El Mocambo, Leeâs Palace, and The Bitter End in New York City. Tammy was asked to showcase her latest songwriting talents three separate times during 2001 Canadian Music Week, garnering her a huge response from the music industry and her fans. She was also nominated for Best New Solo Artist at the Canadian Radio Music Awards along with Nelly Fertado.

What do you do and how did you start?
I am a singer/songwriter who is the sole person working amongst this company. I do booking, management, negotiating, writing up contracts, sending out packages, recording, songwriting, plus the performances themselves. I think that's all.

How old were you when you realized you wanted to do what you're currently doing and how old were you when you actually began.
I was 4 when I started taking piano lessons, and 13 when I started playing guitar, singing and writing. Actually, the only reason I started singing was because I started writing and I had nobody else to sing the melody and lyrics. There were times when I wanted to be a veterinarian and a ballet dancer, but music has always been my therapy and backfall. Whatever happened I always went back to my music and I always knew it would be there for me. I grew up having a very hard time trusting people, and I knew that I could always count on my music.

What jobs did you have before you went out on your own?
I was a counselor at a teen call in center where we would deal with everything from suicide, to rape, to confusion about sexuality, etc. I was also a music teacher. I taught voice and piano. I still miss it actually. Just in the past 2 weeks I've had 3 dreams about teaching again. Hmmmm..

What steps did you take to create your own business?
Well, let's see. I feel like I'm still creating it. My mom owns her own business, so I grew up learning about how to run a business and I think that learning all of those things as I was growing up really got instilled in me. I worked as a receptionist at her business and learned a lot about dealing with people, putting together bills, working out schedules, keeping employees and customers all happy at the same time. So, everything that I learned as I was growing up is the way I do things now. Business is business and you always have to remember that.

What kind of formal education, training or experience do you have that applies to what you do?

I trained in the Royal Conservatory of Music but never actually went through with the exams. I always felt it to be too intimidating and that's not what music is about, to me anyway. I went to Berklee College of Music for a summer program and at that time I won a scholarship to go back, but it just wasn't the right time, unfortunately. I also took private lessons on voice and piano for years.

I had one teacher that will always stand out in my mind. He encouraged me to start writing and helped to boost my confidence regarding my voice and talent. And he taught me the coolest on the piano. He was in a band too, and they did the best cover version of Radar Love I'd ever heard. This teacher also got me into my first recording studio. That's when my passion really began - seeing what the process of building a song in studio is amazing. Knowing that it starts so completely raw and can become this huge hit. Very interesting process indeed!

What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do? The most frustrating?
I would have to say that there are a couple of very rewarding things about this business. Number one for me is when I touch people with my music. The first time I saw someone singing one of my songs along with me, I almost cried. I remember it was at a record store cd release and a woman was singing along with me. It was a beautiful feeling.

I've also seen people cry sometimes if I'm singing a touching song. Not that I want people to feel sad, but I really look at it as an emotional release for them and for me and if I can make people feel things, then I'm doing something right. I've also found that animals love my music. I've taught my dog to sing "How much is that doggy in the window". When I lived at home, she would lay across my feet as I played the piano. My rabbit also falls asleep or gets very relaxed every time I start to practice. It's so funny to see.

Let's see. The most frustrating?! Probably when bar owners refuse to pay you after you've already done the gig. Ever since that happened to me the first time, I never do a gig without a signed contract.

What has been your biggest struggle(s)/challenge(s) with your creative career?
I think my biggest struggle is within myself. As much as I would never give up, I do get discouraged at times. When things aren't going at the rate I'd hoped, when it comes to writing, recording, booking, etc., I tend to get down on myself and feel like I'm not working hard enough.

So, I'll feel depressed for about a day or so, then I'll hop right back up, dust myself off and get back on the road to success. At least, that's what I tell myself.....he he!"

Do you have any fears about what you do, and if so, how do you deal with them?
Goodness, I have fears everyday!!! I have some days that I just cry for a while because I feel like I'm getting nowhere. The downfall of being self-employed is that you have only yourself to depend on. If I decide to take a day off, all I can think of is that I'm the one losing out.

There's nobody else out there working on making me a star, so that makes it very difficult to take guilt free holidays. I deal with my fears and discouragement through working out and a lot of yoga. I find that working out really helps me release my tension and stress and of course, yoga does the same thing, but relaxes me even more. I've done karate for two and a half years and I think that that was definitely the most productive thing for me to have done in order to keep my sanity.

What kind of work environment do you have?
I work out of my home office. There's a huge desk cluttered with every name, address, phone number, websites, schedules, blah blah blah. It really is quite a mess. I can't keep up with it all. I've got the computer, printer, fax machine, photo copier, scanner, packages and 8x10 photos EVERYWHERE!

Have you encountered any financial obstacles, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Oh, yes, definite financial obstacles. Again, when I lived it home, my family was very supportive of me and helped me out with my career as much as possible. My husband is the one with the real job, so I'm an incredibly lucky woman to have that, otherwise I'd probably still be living at home.

Often when I get really stressed out about money, a royalty check will show up in the mailbox. I may have a guardian angel. Then there's the gigs that I take just for the money, but that's like any job. You have to do what you have to do, right?! I need money to buy lettuce and parsley for my rabbit, amongst other things.

Who or what are your inspirations?
My mom is such an inspiration to me. She's had so many obstacles overcome, especially when she was raising my brother and me on her own. She worked two jobs as well as running her own business and we still grew up al right. Better than alright. I wouldn't be where I am without having her for support and having learned the things I did from her. People always say to me "Wow, your mom is the most incredible woman. She's so strong and she seems to have it altogether", and she's a loving person to all living creatures. Animals are also an inspiration to me. I want to love them all and take care of them all. If I could, I would own an animal shelter and take care and all the animals in the world. I can dream, can't I?! Seriously, after I've done all the touring and recording that I can handle, I dream of having a ranch that will hold as many animals comfortably as possible.

Words of advice for those pursuing their creative goals.
Dream and pursue. Don't not do something because it looks too hard or seems to unreal. Keep yourself focused and down to earth, but just never give up on a dream.