Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheyne Dolly.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cheyne. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I’ve been a passionate lover of music for as long as I can physically remember. I threw mini-concerts in my grandma’s backyard when I was 5 or 6 years old. I gave my neighbor friend a toy trumpet and set up a couple of buckets as drums before inviting the entire neighborhood over for our “big show.” I can only imagine it had to have been the most terrible noise anyone’s ever heard. That was as far as I got to playing an actual instrument until my senior year in high school. I started tinkering around on my church drumset here and there until the leader one day showed me a simple beat and instructed me to just play that over and over while they played around me. I had a natural intuition as to where the music would go and started figuring out how to accompany that from the drums as simply as possible. My drumming has really been an evolution of that same format of learning. I guess you could say 15 years later I’m still faking my way through music. (mostly joking)
Has it been a smooth road?
I feel like I’ve had mostly a smooth road along the way. I’ve been fortunate enough to fall into some incredible circles and have opportunities come my way I surely didn’t deserve. With every artist or project, I’ve been apart of has come to a new learning experience. Much like my history playing in church, I sort of cut my teeth on stage. Sometimes in front of a handful of people, sometimes in front of hundreds or thousands.
I’m soooo not a drummer’s drummer. I never cared for the usual heavy-hitters and big names in drum history. I was never interested in massive drumsets, playing fast, or extended drum fills/solos. I never spent any time watching YouTube drummers shred dubstep versions of your favorite top 40 radio hit. Honestly, I was playing around so much with so many different people I never really had time to “master my craft” on my own. I never sat for hours alone, perfecting techniques, and patterns. I used to feel like this was a major stumbling block and wall for me, and at one point felt like a fraud in my playing.
I’ve come to realize I’ve always felt more like a songwriter in the way I connect to music and approach my playing. The music I most enjoy playing, and usually get hired for, doesn’t call for speed and fancy fills. It calls for FEEL. And thats all I’ve ever cared about in music. I joke that my lack of ability is what keeps me employed. And while it sounds like a joke, it’s also true. Songwriters don’t want a drummer who’s going to go nuts all over their song. Well, they’re in luck! I can’t go nuts even if I wanted to! So instead of focusing on my inabilities, I doubled down on my strengths. The struggle wasn’t a curse after all; it was a blessing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Orange Blossom – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
ORANGE BLOSSOM MGMT is an independent artist services company offering my artists the benefit of knowledge and experiences with nearly a decade in the music industry. A career in music requires a dynamic approach. I work closely with my artists to hear their vision, build a sustainable strategic plan, and execute their goals. I also work directly with music venues throughout San Diego connecting them with artists that best meet their needs and budgets for anything from wedding and restaurant gigs to listening rooms to local support for touring bands coming through town.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and the least?
I love this city, but San Diego has not been known for its thriving music scene. We have some incredibly talented artists and musicians. The problem is there’s just too dang much to do around here! There are cities around the country where music is the only thing the people have to look forward to. I would say there has been a positive shift over the last decade. With the booming beer industry, there has been a massive increase in opportunities to play around town. While this is great for the working musician, it’s not always best for the “artist” type. You have to understand and accept your role as background music which can weigh heavy on the romantic artist fighting to be heard. The best-paying gigs usually aren’t the most rewarding. And the gigs you want the most usually pay the least. Thats just business. I’ve found the most success in holding the two in tension, letting the former fund and allow for the latter. Music is all long game. One song at a time. One listener at a time. This city offers it all. You just have to be willing to put in the work and, more importantly, the time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.OrangeBlossomMgmt.com
- Email: cheyne@orangeblossommgmt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cdolly760
Image Credit:
Erick Frost
Mason Munari
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