We had the good fortune of connecting with Roz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roz, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my own business after I started making a little bit more money for tax purposes. Nothing fancy! It felt good to know that what I love could actually turn into a business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My talents started with singing, writing music, tambourine, playing the violin, string bass, cello, acoustic guitar, cajon, guiro and during COVID, I added videography. One of the things that sets me apart is being an extreme introvert, but still able to push through and make connections with people while performing. There were times when I may not have the money to make a CD, buy equipment, get a website, get a music video but out of my own creativity and determination, my husband and I learned to do these things on our own. If he didn’t know how, I’d learn and then put the knowledge or product back into the business.

There was a period of 7-9 years where I didn’t perform due to a horrible relationship and failing health, along with the stress. Being able to bounce back from that is honestly a miracle. So, getting to where I am today, again, is an absolute miracle. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever sing again.

There was an organization that I started years ago to also bring women together to hold them accountable in going after their dreams. The stories that came from it was mind boggling. There was a friend who is a professional photographer now, a few women who went on to perform professionally and a best friend who was able to star in a major film with Nicolas Cage.

As a child, I said that I wanted to be a female Quincy Jones! I feel like it came true as I started producing some of my own music and working in the studio with others. There are so many highlights in my musical journey that it’s hard to mention one thing but more than anything, I’m proud of being able to continue in the music industry. There are so many hard knocks and horrible things that happen and it’s easy to want to turn away from it.

So, after being offered an opportunity to become a radio host recently for an internet station, Infinitel Radio, I’ve been able to share and encourage others to not give up. I call the segment, “Speaking life,” into the listeners. It’s hard in life and especially in the music business. I have the guests that come on share something that encourages the listeners, as well. I love to encourage others and love to inspire them to keep going. Dream. Nightmares may happen but it’s still part of the dream. But when the nightmare happens, that’s when we should learn to push through even more only to become stronger!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oo, that’s one of the things we love to do. This is such a beautiful place that even close to where I live, there’s a very curvy, woodsy drive to the next town, then to coffee at the bottom of that mountain. Then, we’d probably head to a place called, “Stevens Pass,” and then to Snoqualmie Falls. There are shops and food in between. We’d go from warmer weather to rain and possibly snow only 45 minutes away. Then, we’d have to go to Pikes Place Market on the water in Seattle, then take a ferry to one of the islands and have lunch. There are beaches and nice pretty drives to see museums or just pretty drives.

Who wouldn’t want to see Mount Rainier? Going there could take the whole entire day with all of the trails and overlooks. We also have Canada less than 3 hours away. The people are nice and can see Mount Rainier in Washington from Canada! The trails and mountain hikes are endless in Washington! Don’t forget Portland, OR. Same. The hikes, trails, food spots, basketball teams, college football, major music events up and down WA to OR.

We don’t normally take people to see the Space Needle because the other sites aren’t what they’d expect and can always go on their own just to say that they went. Clearly, I have dismissed all that I’ve learned from writing class in school! I could go on and on…

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m doing what I do because I came from an amazingly talented family along with a husband who is a huge support, along with being my music partner. He holds it down on bass guitar. After meeting him, I no longer wanted to only sing and direct gospel music along with classical music. My dream was to do pop/r&b types of music. At the time, I wasn’t sure how to get started but when I met him, he was already rich in gospel music but also had a large repertoire and experienced in latin styles of music. Once we learned that we both were musicians, we started from playing at coffee shops to being able to play at large arenas. When I moved from Kansas City to Seattle, I also met Lady A, who then connected me with different people in this area. That helped a ton to get my music going in the PNW.

Website: www.rozmusicsite.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grammynod/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roz-mccommon-9b1a4a230/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RozMusic4

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rozmusician

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6OOaaX5kylT_oayYvZKfdg

Other: Getn Real or GettingRealWithRoz on Instagram; Radio Host

Image Credits
Roz, Ernie Powell, Lady A

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