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Travis Meadows in 2017

Travis Meadows

Photo: Joshua Black Wilkins/All Eyes Media

News
Interview: Travis Meadows On Sobriety, Songwriting travis-meadows-talks-sobriety-songwriting-first-cigarette

Travis Meadows Talks Sobriety, Songwriting & 'First Cigarette'

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The prolific Nashville-based songwriter goes deep on how MusiCares has helped him on his search for sobriety, the importance of journal writing and his new album, 'First Cigarette'
Brian Haack
MusiCares
Dec 1, 2017 - 2:34 pm

Nashville-based country singer/songwriter Travis Meadows is a survivor many times over.

Now seven years clean and sober, his path to recovery wandered a broken line that included four trips to in-patient rehab, not to mention a lifetime of hard lessons learned.

A professional musician since his teenage years, Meadows found religion in his early 20s and spent almost two decades traveling as a missionary, preacher, and active songwriter in the Christian music industry. At age 39, faced with growing disillusionment, he cut ties with the Christian music scene and relocated to Nashville to work as a traditional songwriter and performing musician, where he concurrently suffered a multiyear spiral into addiction and alcoholism.

The support network and partner services offered through MusiCares, which is designed as a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need, had a part to play in Meadow's effort to regain control of his life and find a sustainable path to recovery. Following the release of his third album, First Cigarette, the singer/songwriter sat down with us to discuss his ties to the organization, writing songs for his new project and artists such as Dierks Bentley, and his thoughts on personal writing and strategies for self-growth.

How did you first encounter MusiCares and at what point did their support enter the picture?
Well, it was in the very beginning. Sadly, I did not even know that MusiCares existed. I lived in a bubble — my drinkin' bubble. And when I came to the point when I said, "I need help," and just started telling everybody, "Get me outta here. What do I do?" There were some people that were somehow connected to MusiCares, and they are the ones that put me in treatment that very first time.

It's all a blur. All I remember is making that call, and I remember that MusiCares came up, and my [former] wife said, "Pack your bags, you're going in." And the very next morning I was on my way to treatment for the very first time. So MusiCares has been a part of my entire recovery experience. I am very, very grateful to them.

Travis Meadows in 2017

How you been able to make use of any of their other support systems or other partner services?
Mostly, for some medical needs here and there. [MusiCares has] also been a great resource for some friends of mine. In fact, though obviously I can't say the name, maybe three or four days ago I made a call and said, "I have a friend that is dying, and I think he's ready for help." And they've put that person in treatment. So they're still just an incredible resource.

I look at MusiCares like an angel of mercy. They've just been so much a part of my entire recovery experience, and I love them for it. It's hard to find words because I'm so deeply grateful.

"My phone is probably the most powerful weapon for sobriety that I have found. No matter where I'm at, I can call a friends and say, 'Look, I'm about to walk into this uncomfortable situation.' … It makes it a lot easier to remember that I'm not alone on this journey." 

Is there anything you'd like to share that your journey to recovery has taught you about building positive coping mechanisms, dealing with repression, or that you think could help educate others who may be drawn to self-medicate in an attempt to deal with traumatic experiences?
For me, personally: writing, and surrounding myself with people and resources that I trust. [In] the chaos of using multiple substances, you kind of find yourself surrounded by a certain kind of people. The thing that worked for me was I had to change my playmates and my playgrounds.

That was really hard to do because I had years invested in these relationships. There was nothing wrong with those people per se, but it was just that I could not be in that surrounding anymore. So I started surrounding myself with a community of like-minded people and people that I trust. My phone is probably the most powerful weapon for sobriety that I have found. No matter where I'm at, I can call a friend and say, "Look, I'm about to walk into this uncomfortable situation." … It makes it a lot easier to remember that I'm not alone on this journey. 

That's certainly been something very helpful for me, knowing that I have some people —including a couple of the people at MusiCares. Debbie [Carroll, Sr. Executive Director for MusiCares Nashville], in particular. She's been quite kind to me, and it's not always been business stuff. Sometimes it's just been, "I just wanted to tell you what was going on, and check in, and tell you how grateful I am today." It's pretty remarkable.

You've said in other interviews that many of the lyrics for 2011's Killin' Uncle Buzzy came out of writings that you didn't necessarily intend for people to hear — lines you wrote at the behest of your rehab counselor. Is the practice of personal writing something you think anyone/everyone could benefit from?
It absolutely helps, and it was quite a surprise. I was in treatment for the fourth time, and I was checking out, and one of the counselors suggested I keep a journal. I said, "Honestly I just don't do well with journaling. I wouldn't say that I'm lazy, [but] it just seems a little redundant, and I can't even read my own writing. But if you think it will help, I do write songs." And she kinda chuckled, and I said, "I'm not kidding. I don't want to die."

She [told me] the benefit of writing your thoughts down, and where you're at, is you may wake up one day and see some progress, and that will motivate you to keep going.

One song turned into two, and two became three, and it became evident that I was making a record, and that record changed everything for me. By the time that record finished I was nine months sober. It was life-changing. To this day, seven-something years later, I still find writing quite therapeutic.

Can you share a bit about the writing and inspiration behind "Riser" (written for Dierks Bentley), and what that song means to you today?
What a fantastic interlude to writing. I was just coming out of a real dark period when I first met [writing partner] Steve [Moakler]. Steve is just full of hope and full of optimism. He had just fallen in love, and you know, everything was going right in his world.

I had this idea about getting back up, and getting back into life, and Steve was the guy I wanted [to write with].  …Graciously, he accepted, and we wrote a beautiful song. I have lost count of how many people have sent pictures of these lyrics tattooed on their bodies.

Let's talk a bit about your brand-new album, First Cigarette. Can you break down the single "Underdogs"?
"Underdogs" is me, man. And it's you. It's everybody that's ever felt overlooked, a little misunderstood. I've always felt like I was a little bit on the outside looking in, in every situation. I've always pulled for the underdog.

What about "First Cigarette"? How did you make the decision to name the record for that particular track?
Underdogs, to me, was the obvious [album] title. I just, for some reason, did not want to be too obvious. Every record I make, I like [people] to take a journey along with me. I like them to settle in and try to find the heart of the record. So "Underdogs" was the obvious title, but it was so obvious that I just felt like it might be taking the easy way out.

"First Cigarette" ended up being the sleeper on the record. … Just to address the obvious, [the song] actually doesn't have anything to do with smoking. It has to do with contentment and learning how to lean into it. We've spent a lot of time in this discussion talking about how challenging life can be, but there are also some beautiful moments. When those beautiful moments come, embrace them. Lean into them and enjoy them. They are gifts.

Michael McDonald On His Amazing Journey From MusiCares Client To Chair

A MusiCares client gets custom earplugs molded

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

News
MusiCares' Hearing Health At Austin City Limits musicares-heads-2017-acl-promote-hearing-health

MusiCares Heads To 2017 ACL To Promote Hearing Health

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Backstage at Austin City Limits 2017, MusiCares is on hand to help artists and crew keep their hearing crisp
Brian Haack
MusiCares
Oct 7, 2017 - 6:30 pm

MusiCares’ Hearing Health Initiative is all about drawing awareness to how important it is for music people to protect their most valuable asset: their hearing.

Artists and crew working at major music festivals are particularly at risk. Long hours and repeated sonic punishment from months of working on stages with extremely powerful sound reinforcement can take a terrible toll on hearing health — something which many in our industry fail to realize.

Luckily, MusiCares is on hand at many major American music festivals — including this year’s Austin City Limits — to educate artists and crew about the real damage that sustained exposure to high decibel level sound can exact on our ears. To help combat that damage, MusiCares also provides professional quality custom-molded ear plugs to qualifying music people who can demonstrate at least five years continued experience working in the industry.

“We know that 15 percent of all Americans between the ages for 20 and 69 suffer from hearing loss, and that goes double for the music community, so if we can save a few more, we’re so happy.” — Erica Krusen, MusiCares

These custom earplugs are available in three reduction levels — 10, 17 and 26 dB — and molded casts of participants’ ears are taken right onsite at the festival each day while supplies last.

"The most rewarding thing about running the Hearing Health Initiative at festival such as ACL is that we get to help so many artists and crew who wouldn't normally know how to protect their hearing," says Erica Krusen, Senior Director of Health and Human Services for MusiCares. " [We] give them the education and earplugs they need to protect their hearing."

Listen Up: 3 Tips For Protecting Your Hearing

What are some helpful tips from the clinicians on site helping MusiCares provide custom earplugs? First, always wear your hearing protection. Rest your ears between shows and practices, because the longer your ears are exposed, the more damage is being done.

“We work in this industry, and we’re always at shows and festivals. It’s really important to protect your hearing!” — Aristotle, MusiCares client

Be aware of your surroundings, whether in the crowd, onstage or backstage. Make sure you’re never too close to the sound reinforcement speakers. Finally, make sure you’re practicing at a reasonable volume level to minimize damage done to your ears between shows and performances.

Full Coverage Of Austin City Limits 2017

The book "Living Sober"

Photo: John Moore / Getty Images

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MusiCares Can Even Help Cover Costly Rehab Bills musicares-saved-me-and-more-importantly-my-family

"MusiCares Saved Me, And More Importantly, My Family"

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Read words of praise from recent MusiCares clients
Brian Haack
MusiCares
Sep 26, 2017 - 1:03 pm

When the time comes for artists and music people to make the decision to start on the path to recovery from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, MusiCares is there for them every step of the way.

Whether it is maintaining sobriety while out on tour, or taking that difficult first step on the path by attending a 12-step meeting, music people in need can always count on support from MusiCares.

For qualified music professionals in dire need, MusiCares can even help subsidize the often substantial costs of checking into a full-service in-patient rehabilitation facility.

Read what one recent client had to say about the support they received through MusiCares:

"What can I say about an organization that saved my life? Thank you. My 30-day stay at Cumberland Heights truly saved me, and more importantly, my family.  I humbly thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Support MusiCares' 2017 Hurricane Relief Efforts

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Recent Clients Praise MusiCares recent-clients-praise-musicares-its-outstanding-support

Recent Clients Praise MusiCares For Its Outstanding Support

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Read what recent MusiCares clients have to say about the support they've received from the Foundation
Brian Haack
MusiCares
Aug 23, 2017 - 11:54 am

The support network available for music professionals from MusiCares is unlike any other program in our professional industry.

From addiction recovery resources to financial assistance for costly medical bills, hearing health initiatives in partnership with ACS Custom USA, presence at major music events around the country, and logistical support to repair or replace lost and damaged gear while touring, MusiCares will be there to lend a much-needed helping hand for musicians in need.

What do recent MusiCares clients think about the support they've received from the Foundation? Take a read below and hear what they have to say.

"The support I have received from MusiCares as a whole is truly extraordinary. You have helped me through one of the scariest years of my life and continue to be of great assistance to help me get through this tough time."

"MusiCares is an organization that is unbelievable. What you people can do to help musicians who are down. … I’ve been there and I know of others too. Whatever is wrong, MusiCares is there trying to fix it and that can’t be beat."

Eric Church Band Golf Tournament Raises Funds For MusiCares

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What medical assistance can MusiCares offer? what-medical-assistance-services-can-musicares-offer

What medical assistance services can MusiCares offer?

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Recent MusiCares client shares their thoughts and words of praise about the Foundation's support and programs
Brian Haack
MusiCares
Jul 26, 2017 - 5:21 pm

The support available to music people in times of need offered by MusiCares can come in many forms.

Along with the hearing protection clinics and Safe Harbor Room support MusiCares provides as part of its annual presences at more than 45 music festivals around the country, the Foundation also has the capacity, by collaborating with other charitable organizations and affiliated partners, to offer discounted medical services and financial assistance grants to qualified music professionals.

Along with general practitioners, medical specialists, dentists, and physical therapists, MusiCares' partner service offerings also include pathways for those seeking mental health treatment.

Here are some thoughts from one recent MusiCares client on the invaluable support network the Foundation provides for the music community:

"This year has been an especially difficult one with the unexpected death of my mother. I want to thank you for being there for me and offering support when I needed it the most. Through your thoughtful grant, I am now receiving grief therapy that I would not have been otherwise able to afford.  I'm grateful for your presence in the lives of so many artists and I hope to be able to give back through my music and carry on in some way the healing work you are offering me."

Read more: Music therapy program to be established in honor of Chris Cornell

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.