Building a Music Career Through Million-Dollar Relationships with Chad Jeffers

What if your father's unconventional advice became the foundation for a 30-year career performing for millions?

In this episode, Chad Jeffers, guitarist for Carrie Underwood and luxury real estate agent, shares his extraordinary journey from a family band in East Tennessee to performing on the world's biggest stages. Through his father's counterintuitive guidance and a creative introduction to bestselling author Dan Miller, Chad has built a career touring with Kenny Loggins, Keith Urban, and Carrie Underwood for 18 years — while also launching a speaking career, teaching at Belmont University, and creating the "Be Performance Ready" movement.

Chad reflects on the relationships that shaped his unconventional path and continues to fuel his mission to help entrepreneurs show up as their best selves in high-pressure moments.

 

[00:04:00] Who Is Chad Jeffers?

• 18 years as guitarist for Carrie Underwood, previously with Kenny Loggins and Keith Urban

• 30 years as a professional musician

• Luxury real estate agent specializing in music and entertainment industry clients

[00:07:00] The "Be Performance Ready" Movement

• Applying musician performance techniques to business meetings

• The psychology of "show clothes" and how they trigger performance mindset

• One less thing to worry about when you know you look good

[00:12:20] Million-Dollar Relationship #1: His Father

• "Don't ever get a job with benefits if you want to do music"

• "You've gotta go to Nashville and become part of the fabric of the community"

• Created a family band that launched three professional music careers

• Attended all 47 Grand Ole Opry performances with Pinmonkey

[00:15:20] Following the Unconventional Path

• Attended Belmont University to learn the business side of music

• Built relationships throughout university that lasted decades

• "The whole generation comes up together" in the music industry

[00:18:40] Million-Dollar Relationship #2: Dan Miller

• Creative introduction: bought a 3/4 size guitar with note "you haven't heard my tune yet"

• Had it couriered to his house

• Dan's response: "Best introduction I've ever seen"

[00:20:00] The Three-Hour Mexican Lunch

• Dan suggested: "I think you should write a book"

• Share experiences to help others navigate the music industry

[00:21:20] From Book to Speaking Career

• Wrote "25 Notes for the Successful Musician" in 2008

• Book opened doors to speaking and teaching at Belmont University

• Created "Be Performance Ready" course as an extension

[00:22:40] Dan Miller's Champion Role

• From 2007 until his passing in 2024

• Constant encouragement and validation

• Always available for advice and support

[00:24:40] The Speaking Career Launch

• Dan invited Chad to speak at his workshop

• Kent Julian (in the audience) taught Chad the business of speaking

• Both book and speaking career started with Dan's support

[00:26:20] Current Speaking Focus

• Heavy focus on speaking at universities

• Believes skills impact students beyond stage—for entire life

KEY QUOTES

"If you want to do music, you've gotta go to where it's at. They're not gonna be calling you. You've gotta go down to Nashville and become a part of the fabric of the community." - Chad's father

"I think you should write a book. Write about all of your experiences and share that with people so it may help them." - Dan Miller's advice

"Relationships are absolutely the cornerstone of everything that I do. Whether it's music or real estate or personal, it definitely all starts with the relationships." - Chad Jeffers

CONNECT WITH CHAD JEFFERS

🌐 Website: chadjeffers.com
📧 Email: [e-mail]
📱 Instagram: @chadjeffers
🎯 Be Performance Ready Waitlist: chadjeffers.com/bpr
🎸 Backstage Notes: backstagenotes.com
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chad-jeffers-a0216199
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/chad.jeffers

 

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Find me on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify |  iHeart Radio | Stitcher