Bonner Rhae Rhoden is a singer/songwriter in Houston Texas. She released 2 singles in 2019, “Trail of Dust” and “Together”, and is working toward releasing more songs in 2020.
When Bonner was young her mother made her take piano lessons for six years. A little later she was inspired to pick up a guitar when she saw Taylor Swift perform. It was inspiring for her to see a woman playing and singing. She tried to learn as many Taylor Swift songs as possible.
After that she couldn’t get enough, and in high school she had her first unplanned public performance that ended in a standing ovation at a school music competition.
After high school she kept writing and performing, but after a while it became something that got put on the back burner. For whatever reason she just felt like she needed a break. She went for about 5 years without singing or writing. It was a long time. But one morning she just woke up with a realization that she needed to pursue music.
Spurred on by her husband’s encouragement, she felt like the time was now to really pursue her music opportunities and see where the road would take her.
She respects the art of songwriting and even has a daily 10 minute writing practice where she picks a single word and writes ideas and different phrases and concepts that relates to the word.
Here are the top 3 things I picked up from my time with her:
1. Passion over Business
Bonner doesn’t neglect the business side of being an artist. In today’s artist environment it’s important to realize that you do have to treat yourself as a business. But business is not what started our journeys. It was the passion for music. It’s the way it makes you feel and how you can impact others. This comes through 100% with Bonner and her her music.
2. Songwriting As A Skill
It’s easy to think that some people are gifted from birth and some aren’t. The truth is, songwriting is a skill that has to be developed. Like anything else, the more time you put in the stronger you will become. Bonner always believed that she was talented, but she also recognized that it will take work to become the kind of storyteller she wants to be with her songs. This means that her songs are good now, of course, but with this kind of work ethic the songs she’ll write five years from now will be even better.
3. Keep Your Goals Simple
There is nothing wrong with big goals. But Bonner teaches us that having simple goals can give you the little inspiration to keep going. To impact one person would be worth it for Bonner. You don’t need to fill stadiums and impact the world. Some of us will (I hope you do) but what if you just inspire the next girl to pick up a guitar and write songs. Would it be worth it? Bonner says it will.
Meeting Bonner Rhae and sitting down with her to hear her story was a joy and the very reason I started this podcast show called “Songwriter Snack Time.”
As a music producer and engineer I find myself in the middle of projects that have a wide range of styles. Some think this is a negative. But I see it as an asset.
There may indeed be some types of music that I wouldn’t fit well with and some that I gravitate more toward but what moves me most is authenticity and passion. If your music is inspiring and authentic I’d love to hear from you.
Use the discount code “Snack Time” and get 15% off our first project together.