CJ Brewer: The Business of Music and Life as a Special Event Performer

On this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sat down with C.J. Brewer, a multifaceted musician, producer, songwriter, and special event performer. C.J. gives us an honest look into the reality of making a full-time income in music: while he writes and produces original music, he primarily makes his money by covering other people's songs for private events. C.J. breaks down his life as an event performer—from playing weddings and corporate parties to birthdays and backyard barbecues year-round. He explains how he is hired through an agency and details his role in curating the perfect set list, which involves balancing his musical preference with the client's requests. We dive into the profound difference between playing a cover versus playing his own original song, which he considers a piece of himself. C.J. also opens up about the challenge of finding his own voice and the journey to discovering the confidence to put his original music out there.