Meet TROY RAMEY | Singer-Songwriter

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

Hi TROY, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I’ve thought about giving up countless times. I still do, probably at least once a week. But I try to remember what it felt like when I had absolutely no momentum. When I was sitting in a cubicle dreaming of being in charge of my life, chasing a dream, moving towards my goal of being an artist.

I quit a steady, secure job in 2016 with almost zero game plan other than a handful of local bar gigs on the calendar. I literally took a leap of faith. I try to remind myself of that time period when I consider giving up now. Since that time, I have been obsessed with moving forward, improving, becoming a better singer, songwriter, figuring out how to make more money etc. Luckily every year has been better than the last, and while new successes come with new challenges, I try to allow myself to feel some pride in what I’ve accomplished so far.

I taught myself how to play guitar at 29 yrs old, quit that steady cubicle job when I was 33. I’ll be 40 next year, and I’m happy to say that I live in a house that I bought with money I made from playing music. My path hasn’t been the most rock n’ roll, looking path, but I am proud of where I am, and that’s why I can’t quit just yet. I have no idea if I’ll reach my ultimate goals, but I know that if I give up I definitely won’t.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I never felt fully comfortable in my own skin, until I stepped on stage. I fell in love with singing, and songwriting. I am moved by songs that tell stories that make you feel something. That’s what I’ve been chasing as an artist, thats all I want my songs to do.

It has not been easy. It has felt impossible at times, but I’ve learned that persitance typically outlasts challenges. As crippling as some challenges have been, such as financial challenges or bouts of depression, sticking it out always seems to help me find a path forward.

My hope is for people to fully believe me when I sing. I want them to feel that my songs came from somewhere real. I have had a difficult time trying to figure out if the music business had a place for a singer or artist like me, but the longer I stick it out, I am seeing that there is a place for me here.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are many people who have been generous towards me with their time and encouragement, but I’d have to say that without the environment I grew up in thanks to my parents, I may not have found this path. My Father was a musician, and there was always music in the house. My mother encouraged my sisters and I to learn instruments and allowed us the freedom to explore our strengths as children. Funny enough, I didn’t have a real interest in music until my father passed away right before my 20th birthday. Falling into music after he was gone was a way to reconnect with him somehow.

Website: troyramey.com

Instagram: @iamtroymusic

Twitter: @iamtroymusic

Facebook: @iamtroymusic

Youtube: @iamtroymusic

Image Credits
Photos taken by Austin Huck @AustinHuck