Meet Devyn Poole

Today we’d like to introduce you to Devyn Poole.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Since an infant, my first love was the Drums. Watching some of the greatest “unheard of” singers and musicians in Mississippi Inspired me not only to keep aiming for greater heights in being a drummer but an overall musician, so as a young child I started picking up other instruments such as the piano, and guitar.

Wanting to be able to read music I joined middle school band and was first chaired saxophonist until my freshman year in high school. By the time I was experienced enough to starting gigging as a musician, I immediately started looking for any local bands that were looking for a drummer, bass player, keyboardist, anything I could play just so I could relieve an itch I’ve been waiting to scratch all my life. My first big stage event just recently happened in 2016.

Performing as a finalist of the International Blues Competition with the band A Different Shade of Blue opened my eyes even more to what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a Producer. With Mississippi losing its music scene and me wanting to so badly pursue my musical dreams I was left with no choice but to leave or consider myself a “what could have been” I was in love with music so much I couldn’t see myself just playing just drums anymore, so I decided to enroll in The Conservatory of Recording Arts in order to become a certified Engineer/Producer.

I’ve recently graduated March of 2018, and as of now I’m a full-time Musician gigging not only predominantly around the state of Arizona but the United States as well. I’m not the best, but I just want people to know that I’m worth listening to.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not a smooth ride at all. Some reasons I think my musical journey has been a challenge is because of the area I was located. Mississippi is the birthplace of America’s music, but the music scene has dwindled. To me, it was like playing basketball with no ball.

I needed somewhere I could showcase my talent whether I was thought to be good or not good enough. With me not knowing anyone in the music business or anyone who introduce me to anyone I sometimes felt like giving up on music. My grandmother kept my hopes alive. I would go over and sit with her, and she would just tell me to play, to her it didn’t matter what.

Of course, I would pull out the piano and just play what was on my mind or in my head at the time. Me playing would always brighten her day, as musicians we are always hard critics of ourselves so I didn’t know if I could really play or if my grandmother was just enjoying my company haha. In 2017 my grandmother passed, and that’s when I left Mississippi.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I like to think of myself as the Lebron James of music not that I consider myself an all-star but like Lebron can play any position on the court I’d to think I can play any position in the music ensemble. What I think sets me apart of other musicians is my energy. When I bring my energy to my performance, I’m guaranteed to cater to the music or “wow” the crowd.

What are you striving for, what criteria or markers have you set as indicators of success?
To me, success is an ongoing action… Am I mentally in a good place? Am I healthy? Do my children have what they need? And I projecting good energy so that I may receive good energy. If I can answer “Yes” to those questions on a daily, then I am successful. To me, success is not a destination but a way of life.

Contact Info:

• Email: djspoole@gmail.com
• Instagram: dsmooth_p
• Facebook: Devyn Poole

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