Dave Fowler on Building a Career That Lasts in the Music Industry

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MAKE // BREAK

V13 Media Group

12 episodes

5 days ago

MAKE // BREAK is a conversation series about the realities of making art in a world that doesn’t make it easy. Hosted by Lance Marwood, it’s less about the music itself and more about the stories, struggles, and strategies behind it. Each episode dives into the DIY grind, the changing industry, and what it takes to build something lasting without selling out. Guests range from underground bands to established voices, all sharing unfiltered experiences that mix humour, honesty, and hard-earned lessons.

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Dave Fowler on Building a Career That Lasts in the Music Industry

MAKE // BREAK

37 minutes 27 seconds

1 month ago

Dave Fowler on Building a Career That Lasts in the Music Industry

Episode 011 – Dave Fowler | MAKE // BREAK

Dave Fowler is a Nashville-based bassist, producer, and songwriter whose career spans work with icons like Dolly Parton, Dr. John, Cinderella, and Billy Ray Cyrus. A sought-after live and studio player, he’s also the co-founder of GET JOE Records, a producer at Fowler–Wells Productions, and the force behind Running With Giants, his mentorship and clinic platform for musicians. In this episode, Dave joins Lance to unpack the realities of a lifelong career in music—from the discipline behind professional performance to the humility that keeps great players in demand—and what it really takes to build both longevity and legacy in an ever-changing industry.

👀 What you’ll hear

Tracing Dave Fowler’s roots from Southern gospel to touring with Dolly Parton and Dr. John
The truth about persistence and why “not quitting” is the only real career plan
Inside Nashville’s studio culture and how pros record songs they’ve never heard before
The moment Dave nearly quit music — and what pulled him back
Lessons from decades in the industry: humility, discipline, and creative adaptability
A look ahead to Dave’s upcoming memoir and his mentorship platform Running With Giants

🕰️ Chapters
00:00 Welcome + intro to Dave Fowler
02:00 Finding bass and early church influences
06:30 What separates musicians who last from those who don’t
08:00 The myth of “making it” and the persistence mindset
11:20 Lessons to his younger self and Nashville’s evolution
14:30 Inside the studio: how pros build songs on the spot
18:00 The bass player’s role: when to lead vs. blend in
24:40 Make-or-break moments and personal resilience
28:00 The story behind Dave’s upcoming book
33:30 Running With Giants and mentoring new artists
37:00 GET JOE Records, new projects, and Texas success stories
39:30 Final reflections + closing thoughts

🔗 Guest Links
https://davefowler.com
https://www.instagram.com/davefowler1963
https://www.youtube.com/@davefowlerbass
https://www.facebook.com/davefowlerbass
https://x.com/davefonbass

🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Links
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/makebreak
https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellish
https://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish

🔗 V13 Media Links
https://v13.net

If this conversation hit home, subscribe and comment: what’s your definition of “making it” in music?

#MakeBreak #Fowler #MusicBusiness